Top IDEs for Java Development on Mac

1. IntelliJ IDEA – Best Java IDE for Mac Developers

IntelliJ IDEA by JetBrains is considered the de facto standard for Java development. IntelliJ's extensive features, smart code completion, and deep knowledge of Java make it easy and smooth for any developer to get on with an IDE that just works with minimum configuration.

Pros:

1. Smart Code Completion

2. Advanced Refactoring Tools

3. Out-of-the-box support for popular Java frameworks

4. Excellent Debugging

5. Integration with Git, SVN, and other version control systems

Cons:

1. Heavy on Resources

2. Paid Features

3. Startup Time

Key Features:

1. Provides context-aware suggestions for faster coding and fewer errors.

2. Helps developers make changes to their codebase safely and efficiently.

3. Supports a wide variety of Java frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, and JavaFX.

4. Built-in Git, SVN, and other VCS support, enabling easy collaboration.

5. Seamless integration with databases for backend development.

6. Excellent debugging tools, including step-by-step debugging and visualization of code flow.

Overall, it is an excellent option for developers working on complex, large-scale applications, especially those using modern Java frameworks (like Spring or JavaFX).

Pricing: Freemium

IntelliJ IDEA offers both a free Community Edition (for basic Java development) and a paid Ultimate Edition (which provides additional features for web and enterprise development, including support for frameworks like Spring, Java EE, and more).

2. Eclipse – Powerful Java IDE for macOS Enterprise Projects

Eclipse is an open-source IDE that is widely favored for Java development, especially in large-scale projects. It offers great flexibility with a plugin-based architecture that lets developers customize the IDE according to their needs.

Pros:

1. Highly Customizable

2. Enterprise-Level Support.

3. Wide Plugin Ecosystem

4. Open Source

Cons:

1. Outdated UI

2. Slower Performance

3. Steep Learning Curve

Pricing: Free

Eclipse is an open-source IDE and is completely free to use. It can be extended with a wide variety of plugins, and you won't need to pay for any core features.

Key Features

1. Customizable through a wide range of plugins for various languages, tools, and frameworks.

2. Provides full support for Java EE applications, including JSP, Servlets, and web services.

3. Native support for building automation tools like Maven and Gradle.

4. Built-in debugging and profiling tools for tracking down performance issues.

5. Easily integrates with Java APIs and libraries for development.

Overall, you can use it to build large-scale, enterprise-level Java applications, particularly Java EE. If you like working in a customizable environment, then it is a perfect fit for you. Also, you can use it in projects that involve multiple programming languages. 

3. NetBeans – Free Java IDE for Mac Beginners

NetBeans is another open-source IDE touted as very simple and easy to use; it is just what is called for Java SE, CE, and JavaFX development. NetBeans provides an exceptional experience for developers looking for a simple solution just right out of the box.

Pros:

1. Simple and Easy to Use

2. Built-in support for Java SE, Java EE, and JavaFX

3. Built-in Profiler

4. Git, SVN, and Mercurial support 

Cons:

1. Lack of Advanced Features

2. Slower Updates

3. Performance Issues

Pricing: Free

NetBeans is open-source and free to use. It offers a great set of features for Java development without any paid versions or hidden fees.

Key Features

1. Offers built-in support for Java SE, Java EE, and JavaFX right from the start.

2. Integrated profiling tools for analyzing performance and memory usage.

3. Git, SVN, and Mercurial support for version control and collaboration.

4. Simple and clean project management tools to organize large codebases effectively.

5. Runs seamlessly on macOS, Windows, and Linux, supporting cross-platform development.

If you are developing Java applications, web apps, or JavaFX desktop apps, then Netbeans is a great choice. Moreover, if you are a newcomer, then we would recommend using it as it provides a simple and easy interface to start the Java development journey.

4. Visual Studio Code – Lightweight Java IDE Alternative for Mac

Visual Studio Code isn't exactly what someone would call a traditional IDE, as it resembles more of an engine upon which you can build. However, the truth is that it can be extended and fabricated so as to support Java development in much the same way as any other code editor with extensions. It is also lightweight and fast enough to provide something above simplicity, preference, and flexibility to code developers.

Pros

1. Lightweight and Fast

2. Highly Customizable

3. Free and Open-Source

4. Cross-Platform

5. Git Integration

Cons:

1. Lacks Advanced Features

2. Requires Extensions

3. Limited Java-Specific Tools

Pricing: Free

VS Code is completely free and open-source. It is lightweight, with the ability to add various extensions (some of which are paid) to enhance functionality, but the core editor itself is entirely free.

Key Features:

1. Fast startup and smooth performance, even on less powerful systems.

2. Supports a wide variety of extensions, allowing developers to tailor their environment for Java development.

3. Built-in Git support for version control and code collaboration.

4. Easily extendable to support multiple languages, not just Java.

5. Robust debugging tools, including breakpoints, variable watches, and integrated terminal for Java application testing.

It is designed for coders who appreciate the combination of a lightweight, fast IDE with simple Java applications or lighter projects. It is perfect for developers who balance minimalism with Java development via specialized extensions.

5. Oracle JDeveloper – Enterprise-Grade Java IDE for macOS

Oracle JDeveloper is meant for applications related to enterprise Java, especially those using Oracle-related technologies. It is an answer for people doing Java EE applications or writing applications in Oracle ADF (Application Development Framework).

Pros:

1. Enterprise-Level Features

2. Oracle ADF Integration

3. Visual Development

4. Oracle Database Integration

Cons:

1. Heavy and Slow

2. Overkill for Small Projects

3. Complex Setup

Pricing: Free

Oracle JDeveloper is free to access. However, some features, mainly those that closely integrate with Oracle products, may require additional Oracle services or licenses for enterprise-level deployments.

Key Features:

1. Deep integration with Oracle’s Application Development Framework (ADF) for building Java EE-based enterprise applications.

2. Comprehensive support for building Java EE applications with tools for Servlets, JSP, EJB, and web services.

3. Visual tools for building applications, including drag-and-drop UI components.

4. Tight integration with Oracle databases for database-centric Java applications.

5. JDeveloper provides tools for the entire development lifecycle, including development, testing, and deployment.

It is ideal for developers who would like to make use of Oracle databases or build applications with Oracle’s ADF. Developers who make extensive use of large organizations or work in teams could expect this to be just up their alley when developing complex Java EE applications. 

Conclusion 

Selecting the right IDE can be highly productive and development-oriented for Java development on a Mac. All the above-mentioned IDEs: IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, NetBeans, Visual Studio Code, and Oracle JDeveloper, have those specific in-house features in their names, as they have incorporated the best features differentially, ranging from enterprise applications to simple, lightweight, cross-platform projects. 

The IDE you choose should meet your project requirements above all. Once you have a better overview of the different features and limitations of each of these options, you can make a better choice that will further enhance your Java development on macOS.