IntelliJ IDEA vs JetBrains Rider: What are the differences?
IntelliJ IDEA and JetBrains Rider are both popular integrated development environments (IDEs) developed by JetBrains. Let's explore the key differences between them.
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Platform Compatibility: IntelliJ IDEA is primarily designed for Java development and supports other programming languages as well. It runs on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. On the other hand, JetBrains Rider is specifically developed for .NET and ASP.NET developers. It provides full support for all .NET technologies and is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
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Language Support: IntelliJ IDEA offers extensive language support for a wide range of programming languages, including Java, Kotlin, Groovy, Scala, and JavaScript, among others. JetBrains Rider, on the other hand, is specifically designed for .NET developers and provides robust support for C#, VB.NET, F#, and other .NET languages. It offers advanced code analysis and refactoring capabilities specific to the .NET ecosystem.
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Plugin Ecosystem: Both IntelliJ IDEA and JetBrains Rider have a rich ecosystem of plugins that enhance the functionality of the IDEs. However, IntelliJ IDEA's plugin marketplace is much larger and more diverse, offering plugins for various programming languages and frameworks. JetBrains Rider's plugin ecosystem is focused on .NET development and provides a range of plugins tailored for .NET technologies.
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Project Types: IntelliJ IDEA supports a wide range of project types, including Java projects, web projects, Android development, and more. It integrates well with build tools like Maven and Gradle. On the other hand, JetBrains Rider is specifically built for .NET development and offers seamless integration with project types like .NET Core, ASP.NET, and Unity.
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Familiarity for Developers: IntelliJ IDEA has been around for longer and is widely used by Java developers. It has a large user base and a significant community presence, making it a popular choice for Java development. JetBrains Rider, being specifically developed for .NET, provides a familiar environment for .NET developers, leveraging the same interface and workflows as other JetBrains IDEs.
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Pricing and Licensing: IntelliJ IDEA offers both free and paid versions, with the Ultimate edition providing access to all features and plugins. JetBrains Rider, on the other hand, is a commercial IDE and requires a paid license for usage. The pricing structure for JetBrains Rider differs from IntelliJ IDEA and is typically targeted towards professional .NET developers.
In summary, IntelliJ IDEA is a powerful Java IDE developed by JetBrains, offering robust features for Java development along with support for other programming languages through plugins, while JetBrains Rider is a cross-platform .NET IDE built on the IntelliJ platform, providing comprehensive tools for .NET development, including support for C#, F#, and VB.NET, as well as web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.