Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

NetBeans IDE

686
944
+ 1
514
Xcode

18.8K
14.2K
+ 1
213
Add tool

NetBeans IDE vs Xcode: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will compare the key differences between NetBeans IDE and Xcode, two popular integrated development environments (IDEs) used for software development. Both IDEs offer a wide range of features and tools to assist developers in writing and managing code efficiently. However, they do have some distinct characteristics that set them apart from each other.

  1. User Interface and Platform: NetBeans IDE is a cross-platform IDE, which means it can run on multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. On the other hand, Xcode is exclusively designed for macOS and iOS development, making it the preferred choice for Apple ecosystem developers. NetBeans provides a more standardized and consistent UI across different platforms, while Xcode offers a more integrated and seamless experience within the Apple ecosystem.

  2. Language Support: NetBeans IDE has extensive language support, including Java, PHP, C++, HTML/CSS, and more. It also offers support for multiple plugins and extensions to enhance language compatibility. In contrast, Xcode primarily focuses on Apple's programming languages, such as Swift and Objective-C, providing robust support for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS development. Xcode's language support is more specialized and tailored specifically for Apple platforms.

  3. Version Control Systems Integration: NetBeans IDE offers support for a wide range of version control systems, such as Git, Subversion, and Mercurial. It provides seamless integration and tools for managing code repositories, tracking changes, and collaborating with team members. Xcode, on the other hand, has built-in Git support and integrates well with Apple's source code management system, GitHub, making it easier for developers to work on Apple-related projects and contribute to open-source repositories.

  4. Build and Debugging Tools: NetBeans IDE includes a robust set of build and debugging tools that enable developers to compile, run, and debug their code efficiently. It offers features like code profiling, unit testing, and profiling tools, making it suitable for both small and large-scale projects. Xcode, being specifically designed for Apple platforms, provides native integration with Apple's build and debugging tools. It offers features like Interface Builder, Simulator, and Instruments, allowing developers to build, test, and optimize their applications for Apple devices effectively.

  5. Interface Design and Layout: NetBeans IDE provides a comprehensive visual editor for designing user interfaces using a drag-and-drop interface. It allows developers to create layouts, arrange components, and customize properties visually. Xcode, on the other hand, offers a more specialized interface design tool called Interface Builder. It provides a wide range of graphical tools to create and manage user interfaces for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS applications. Interface Builder integrates seamlessly with Xcode, allowing developers to switch between code and visual editing modes effortlessly.

  6. Community and Documentation: NetBeans IDE has a large and active community of developers that actively contribute to its development and provide support through forums, tutorials, and documentation. It has been in existence for a longer time and has established a strong presence in the open-source community. Xcode, being an Apple product, also has a dedicated community of developers, but its focus is more on Apple-specific technologies. Apple provides extensive documentation, sample code, and resources for developers interested in building applications for its platforms.

In summary, NetBeans IDE and Xcode differ in terms of platform compatibility, language support, version control integration, build and debugging tools, interface design capabilities, and development community focus. NetBeans provides a more cross-platform and versatile approach, while Xcode offers a more specialized and integrated experience for Apple developers.

Decisions about NetBeans IDE and Xcode
Lucas Litton
Founder & CEO at Macombey · | 7 upvotes · 182K views

Expo was a tool Macombey really wanted to utilize from the beginning. I have been working with React Native since 2016 and originally I had to use simulators in Xcode, install pods on top of node packages, configure certificates, and more abundant objectives that take time away from actual development. As a development studio, we have to move quick and get projects to our clients and partners in a matter of months.

Expo made this easy for us. We now have a mobile app for clients to download and test their project on, there is no need to install pods or configure Xcode, and development is super fast and reliable now.

See more
Get Advice from developers at your company using StackShare Enterprise. Sign up for StackShare Enterprise.
Learn More
Pros of NetBeans IDE
Pros of Xcode
  • 76
    Rich features
  • 69
    Crossplatform
  • 49
    Plugins(Git, SVN)
  • 38
    Easy to use
  • 38
    Extensible
  • 35
    PHP Support
  • 34
    Java support
  • 28
    File History
  • 21
    Code analysis
  • 18
    MySQL support
  • 14
    Free
  • 14
    Open source
  • 10
    Code completion
  • 9
    Strong Maven Support
  • 8
    NodeJs support
  • 6
    Webdev king
  • 6
    Easy maven project start
  • 6
    Best
  • 4
    Jira Plugin
  • 4
    Foss
  • 3
    Out of the box integration with maven, git, svn
  • 3
    History of changes, friendly tabs
  • 3
    Mandatory
  • 2
    Intuitive ui
  • 2
    Chrome plugin to live update javascript from browser
  • 2
    Groovy support
  • 2
    Native Nette support
  • 2
    I don't like NetBeans
  • 2
    Smarty support
  • 2
    Visual GUI Builder for Swing / AWT
  • 2
    Custom html tags support
  • 1
    Powerful refactoring
  • 1
    Composer commands inside IDE
  • 130
    IOS Development
  • 33
    Personal assistant on steroids
  • 29
    Easy setup
  • 17
    Excellent integration with Clang
  • 3
    Beautiful
  • 1
    Built-in everything

Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions

Cons of NetBeans IDE
Cons of Xcode
  • 2
    PHP debug doesn't support conditional breakpoints
  • 6
    Massively bloated and complicated for smaller projects
  • 3
    Horrible auto completiting and text editing
  • 1
    Slow startup
  • 1
    Very slow emulator

Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

What is NetBeans IDE?

NetBeans IDE is FREE, open source, and has a worldwide community of users and developers.

What is Xcode?

The Xcode IDE is at the center of the Apple development experience. Tightly integrated with the Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks, Xcode is an incredibly productive environment for building amazing apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

What companies use NetBeans IDE?
What companies use Xcode?
See which teams inside your own company are using NetBeans IDE or Xcode.
Sign up for StackShare EnterpriseLearn More

Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions

What tools integrate with NetBeans IDE?
What tools integrate with Xcode?

Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions

What are some alternatives to NetBeans IDE and Xcode?
Eclipse
Standard Eclipse package suited for Java and plug-in development plus adding new plugins; already includes Git, Marketplace Client, source code and developer documentation. Click here to file a bug against Eclipse Platform.
Visual Studio
Visual Studio is a suite of component-based software development tools and other technologies for building powerful, high-performance applications.
IntelliJ IDEA
Out of the box, IntelliJ IDEA provides a comprehensive feature set including tools and integrations with the most important modern technologies and frameworks for enterprise and web development with Java, Scala, Groovy and other languages.
PyCharm
PyCharm’s smart code editor provides first-class support for Python, JavaScript, CoffeeScript, TypeScript, CSS, popular template languages and more. Take advantage of language-aware code completion, error detection, and on-the-fly code fixes!
Android Studio
Android Studio is a new Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA. It provides new features and improvements over Eclipse ADT and will be the official Android IDE once it's ready.
See all alternatives