Tool profile
IntelliJ IDEA: cost, fit and limits
IntelliJ IDEA is an integrated development environment made by JetBrains s.r.o. for Java and other languages, with debugging, testing and database tools built in, plus an optional AI Assistant plugin and support for several AI agents.
What to know first
IntelliJ IDEA is an IDE, so it bundles debugging, testing, profiling and database tools that a plain editor lacks. The product page shows a free entry that includes 30 days of Ultimate, and paid plan prices were not shown on the pages we read. AI arrives through a separate plugin that is not bundled or enabled by default and needs a JetBrains AI Service license.
IntelliJ IDEA at a glance
| Maker | JetBrains s.r.o., Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Free trial only |
| Entry price | Free, with 30 days of Ultimate included |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Code Editors in 2026, rank 4 of 13 |
| Website | jetbrains.com/idea/ |
Who IntelliJ IDEA is best for
Java and Kotlin teams
Debugging, testing, profiling and database tools sit one click away on the product page, which suits large codebases where an editor alone falls short.
Teams that want agent oversight
The product page describes several agents running at once with running, done or waiting status, and diff comments sent back to the agent.
Developers who want a choice of agents
Agents can be included in JetBrains AI or connected over ACP, with frontier or local models, according to the AI page.
IntelliJ IDEA plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing overview | Free, with 30 days of Ultimate included | Product page entry offer: 30 days of the Ultimate edition. Paid plan prices were not shown on the pages we read. |
Checked November 2026.
What IntelliJ IDEA does
- Built-in engineering tools
- Debugging, testing, profiling and database tools are described as one click away on the product page, which reduces the number of extensions a team has to assemble and maintain itself.
- Multiple agents at once
- Several AI agents can run in one project or across several, each with a status of running, done or waiting, so a developer can supervise parallel work.
- Diff feedback to agents
- A reviewer can comment on a line in the diff and send the comment back to the agent, which keeps correction inside the review view.
- Agent choice
- The AI page describes agents included in JetBrains AI or connected through ACP, with frontier or local models, so the editor does not force one provider.
How IntelliJ IDEA handles your data
JetBrains says the AI Assistant plugin is not bundled and not enabled by default, and that it cannot access your code unless the plugin is installed, a JetBrains AI Service license is acquired and you consent to the JetBrains AI Terms. The pages we read did not say whether customer data trains models, how long it is kept, where it is hosted or which certifications apply.
Where IntelliJ IDEA falls short in practice
- AI is a separate purchase. The AI Assistant plugin needs a JetBrains AI Service license, so the free entry offer does not give you working AI features after setup without a further purchase.
- Prices not shown. The pages we read show only the free entry with 30 days of Ultimate, so a team must open the JetBrains store to see paid prices.
- Consent required. Code access for AI needs explicit consent to the JetBrains AI Terms, which adds an approval step in organizations that review vendor terms before any assistant touches source code.
Works with
Alternatives to IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA: common questions
Is IntelliJ IDEA free?
The product page shows an entry that is free with 30 days of the Ultimate edition included. Paid plan prices were not shown on the pages we read, so check the JetBrains store for current amounts. The AI Assistant plugin needs a JetBrains AI Service license on top.
Does IntelliJ IDEA include AI by default?
No. The AI Assistant help page says the plugin is not bundled and is not enabled by default. It stays inactive and cannot access your code until the plugin is installed, a JetBrains AI Service license is acquired and you give consent to the JetBrains AI Terms.
Can IntelliJ IDEA run several AI agents?
The product page says it can run several agents at once, in one project or across several, with a status of running, done or waiting. You can comment on a diff line and send it back to the agent. The pages give no agent count limits.
Which AI models does IntelliJ IDEA support?
The AI page describes a choice of agents included in JetBrains AI or connected through ACP, using frontier or local models. It does not list model names on the pages we read, so confirm which models your plan offers in the IDE settings.
What does JetBrains say about my code and AI?
The help page says AI Assistant does not access your code unless the plugin is installed, a license is acquired and consent is given. Whether data trains models, how long it is retained and where it is hosted were not stated on the pages we read.