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It's a split decision.
Choose IntelliJ IDEA if your work centers on Java or Kotlin, or you want its free tier for commercial and non-commercial development. Choose WebStorm for JavaScript, especially if you qualify for its non-commercial plan; its free tier is restricted to non-commercial use and requires anonymous telemetry. For paid individual use, WebStorm starts at $6.58/month billed annually, versus $16.58 for IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate. Both list 30-day trials; their organization prices also favor WebStorm.
01Side by side
| IntelliJ IDEA | WebStorm | |
|---|---|---|
| Paid starting price (annual) | $16.58/month for individuals | $6.58/month for individuals |
| Free plan | Commercial and non-commercial; seat and usage limits unpublished | Non-commercial only; one user; anonymous telemetry required |
| Best for | Java and Kotlin development | JavaScript development |
| Core strength | Java/Kotlin focus; navigation, suggestions, run/debug/test tools | JavaScript focus; navigation, suggestions, run/debug/test tools |
| Learning curve | Not published on the vendor's site | Not published on the vendor's site |
| Integrations/data | Broad language/framework support; specific integrations not listed | Broad language/framework support; specific integrations not listed |
| Organization seat cost (annual) | $59.92/user/month billed annually | $16.58/user/month billed annually |
| Support | Review support score: 5 | Review support score: 5 |
IntelliJ IDEA Choose IntelliJ IDEA if
- Choose IntelliJ IDEA if you build Java or Kotlin applications.
- Choose IntelliJ IDEA if you need commercial and non-commercial free access.
- Choose IntelliJ IDEA if you want broad language/framework support out of the box.
WebStorm Choose WebStorm if
- Choose WebStorm if you build JavaScript applications.
- Choose WebStorm if you qualify for non-commercial free use and accept required telemetry.
- Choose WebStorm if you prioritize a lower annual individual subscription.
02Pricing compared
WebStorm costs less for paid use. Its individual plan is $7.90 monthly or $6.58 per month billed annually; IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate is $19.90 monthly or $16.58 annually. The annual individual prices are first-year rates: WebStorm lists $63 for year two and $47 from year three, while IntelliJ lists $159 and $119. Both include a 30-day trial.
Organization pricing also favors WebStorm: $19.90 per user monthly or $16.58 annually, compared with IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate at $71.90 monthly or $59.92 annually per user. The free options differ more than the price suggests. IntelliJ’s Core edition is free for commercial and non-commercial use. WebStorm’s free plan is non-commercial only, limited to one user, and requires anonymous telemetry.
03Features and depth
The clearest difference is the language each product is built around. JetBrains describes IntelliJ IDEA as an IDE for Java and Kotlin; WebStorm is its IDE for JavaScript. That makes the choice less about which has a longer feature list and more about which matches your main codebase.
JetBrains describes shared IDE capabilities including code-aware navigation, context-relevant suggestions, and tools to run, debug, and test applications without leaving the IDE. It also says its IDEs support a wide variety of languages and frameworks and can be customized. The published product information does not give a detailed, side-by-side list of language-specific tools, so we would not assume every feature works identically in both products.
The reviews rate IntelliJ IDEA 7.9 overall, with a 9 for features; WebStorm scores 7.6 overall and 8 for features. Those scores are useful context, not proof that one IDE is better for your project.
04Ease of use and learning curve
Both products offer navigation and suggestions based on code context, plus built-in run, debug, and test tools. JetBrains also says its IDEs can be customized and support languages and frameworks out of the box. That may reduce setup work, but the published information does not establish which product is easier to learn or configure.
Your codebase is the practical starting point: choose IntelliJ IDEA for Java or Kotlin work and WebStorm for JavaScript. The review scores give IntelliJ an 8 for ease of use and WebStorm a 7, but neither score explains the reviewer’s experience or learning curve. Try the listed 30-day trial if you need to assess fit before paying.
Questions people ask
Is VS Code better than IntelliJ for Java?
The published information does not compare VS Code with IntelliJ IDEA, so we can’t say one is better. JetBrains describes IntelliJ IDEA as an IDE for Java and Kotlin, with code-aware navigation, suggestions, and built-in run, debug, and test tools. Compare those needs with your preferred editor and workflow.
What is the best IDE for JavaScript development?
There is no single best choice for every JavaScript project. JetBrains describes WebStorm as its JavaScript IDE, with code-aware navigation, contextual suggestions, and built-in tools to run, debug, and test applications. Its free plan is limited to non-commercial use and requires anonymous telemetry; paid individual use starts at $6.58 monthly billed annually.
Does JetBrains make IntelliJ?
Yes. The published product information identifies IntelliJ IDEA as a JetBrains IDE for Java and Kotlin. It lists a free Core edition for commercial and non-commercial use, as well as paid Ultimate plans for individuals and organizations.
Is IntelliJ IDEA better than Android Studio?
The published information does not compare IntelliJ IDEA with Android Studio, so we can’t reliably call one better. It identifies IntelliJ IDEA as an IDE for Java and Kotlin, but provides no Android Studio details or comparison of their features, prices, or workflows. Choose based on your project requirements and verify the relevant product details.