IntelliJ IDEA vs Eclipse: How JetBrains Survived the Odds

JetBrains co-founders recount how IntelliJ IDEA survived fierce competition against Eclipse, a free IDE backed by IBM and other large companies. Despite being a paid product facing pressure from former employers, Microsoft recruitment attempts, and a well-funded competitor rapidly copying their features, JetBrains persisted by focusing on quality and listening to loyal users. Eclipse was dominant because it was free, but IntelliJ attracted developers willing to pay for a superior tool, allowing JetBrains to slowly grow and ultimately outlast the competition.