NetBeans is an integrated development environment (IDE) for Java. NetBeans allows applications to be developed from a set of modular software components called modules. NetBeans runs on Linux, macOS, Solaris, and Windows. In addition to Java development, it has extensions for other languages like PHP, C, C++, HTML5, and JavaScript. Applications based on NetBeans, including the NetBeans IDE, can be extended by third party developers.
NetBeans began in 1996 as Xelfi (word play on Delphi), a Java IDE student project under the guidance of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Charles University in Prague. In 1997, Roman Staněk formed a company around the project and produced commercial versions of the NetBeans IDE until it was bought by Sun Microsystems in 1999. Sun open-sourced the NetBeans IDE in June of the following year. Since then, the NetBeans community has continued to grow. In 2010, Sun (and thus NetBeans) was acquired by Oracle Corporation. Under Oracle, NetBeans had to find some synergy with JDeveloper, a freeware IDE that has historically been a product of the company, by 2012 both IDEs were rebuilt around a shared codebase - the NetBeans Platform. In September 2016, Oracle submitted a proposal to donate the NetBeans project to The Apache Software Foundation, stating that it was "opening up the NetBeans governance model to give NetBeans constituents a greater vo
What is Apache NetBeans?
Apache NetBeans by Apache NetBeans (developed by Apache Software Foundation) is open-source Windows software in the ides & code editors category. It ranks 6th by popularity among ides & code editors in this catalogue. The first release dates back to 1997. It is written in Java. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux, macOS and Solaris.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (Inno Setup) installers for 64-bit Windows. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 31, released on August 14, 2026. The version history goes back to August 21, 2025: 5 releases, all linked to the official files.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 88,824 times. The source code on GitHub (apache/netbeans) has 3,143 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 36 of our languages. Similar programs include OpenCode, Node.js (LTS) and RStudio.
Project description on GitHub: “Apache NetBeans”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Also runs on Linux, macOS and Solaris
- Mature project (since 1997)
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: Apache NetBeans is an open-source ides & code editor tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Screenshots
Is Apache NetBeans safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com; check that it is the publisher’s official mirror
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
F5AF67C28D9A794EB47A7F6EFCF70C2A09256A2EFE0888FC684DD84DFEC9CE2D· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the apache/netbeans repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- Licence declared10
- Security policy10
- No dangerous workflows10
- Restricted token permissions10
- Code review8
- No binaries in the repository8
- Pinned dependencies4
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Static code analysis0
- Fuzzing0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 5 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31Latest | August 14, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 30 | May 23, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 29 | February 23, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 28 | February 8, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 27 | August 21, 2025 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id FriendsOfApacheNetBeans.NetBeans -echoco install apache-netbeans.portable -yApache-NetBeans-31.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Apache NetBeans
- Developer
- Apache Software Foundation and Oracle Corporation
- Category
- IDEs & code editors
- Licence
- Apache-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/apache/netbeans
- Written in
- Java
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Other platforms
- Linux, macOS, Solaris
- Version
- 31
- Released
- August 14, 2026
- First release
- 1997
- Added to the catalogue
- June 29, 2026
- Versions listed
- 5
- Chocolatey downloads
- 88,824
- GitHub stars
- 3,143
- GitHub forks
- 943
- Website
- installers.friendsofapachenetbeans.org
- winget ID
- FriendsOfApacheNetBeans.NetBeans
- Chocolatey package
- apache-netbeans.portable
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Apache NetBeans free?
Yes. Apache NetBeans is open-source software under the Apache-2.0 licence.
Is Apache NetBeans safe to download?
The download comes from github.com; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Apache NetBeans with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Apache NetBeans be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does Apache NetBeans run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of Apache NetBeans?
The versions page lists all 5 versions with links to their official installer files, back to August 21, 2025.
What are alternatives to Apache NetBeans?
OpenCode, Node.js (LTS), RStudio, VSCodium and GDevelop. The alternatives page compares them.
