IntelliJ IDEA review
Bottom line
IntelliJ IDEA is a Java and Kotlin IDE that pairs deep code analysis with built-in debugging, testing, and database tools. Its clearest strength is precise, IDE-level refactoring and navigation, which gives both developers and AI agents reliable changes across a codebase. The main cost to watch is the per-user subscription, which starts at $19.9 per month, and the product is focused on Java and Kotlin. Java and Kotlin teams building Spring or other JVM applications should pick it, especially if they want AI coding help that is checked by the IDE.
What is IntelliJ IDEA?
IntelliJ IDEA is a Java and Kotlin integrated development environment from JetBrains, built for developers who write, test, debug, and refactor application code. It addresses the gap between generating code with AI and confirming that the code works, combining a debugger, test runner, built-in inspections, and database and API tools in one application.
Day to day, the IDE indexes every usage, dependency, and type across a project. A refactoring such as renaming a method updates every reference across files, and Git integration covers partial commits, branch comparisons, and rebasing. Class diagrams and dependency analysis show how a large codebase fits together. Developers can run AI agents from inside the IDE, in the GUI or the terminal, and track which sessions are running, finished, or waiting for input. They can also comment on a line in the diff and send it back to the agent.
The product serves freelancers, small businesses, mid-size businesses, and enterprises. Pricing starts at $19.9 per user per month, and the free download includes 30 days of the Ultimate edition as a trial. Support comes through an email help desk, FAQs and a forum, and a knowledge base, while training is available through webinars, documentation, and videos.
What sets IntelliJ IDEA apart is its depth of understanding of Java and Kotlin code. It offers first-class Spring integration developed with the Spring Framework team, along with support for Jakarta EE, Micronaut, and Quarkus. Its code intelligence also gives AI agents a more reliable way to work, since an agent can use symbol search and safe rename instead of text matching across files. JetBrains lists SOC 2 Type II attestation and GDPR compliance for its business offering.
Who it's for
- Java and Kotlin developers
- Spring Boot and JVM teams
- Engineering teams using AI coding agents
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams focused on languages other than Java and Kotlin
- Buyers who need a per-seat cost lower than $19.9 per month
Typical uses
- Refactoring large Java codebases
- Running and reviewing AI coding agent sessions
- Debugging and testing Spring Boot services
- Managing Git workflows inside the IDE
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