IntelliJ IDEA Overview
IntelliJ IDEA is a versatile integrated development environment (IDE) developed by JetBrains, designed to cater to a wide range of programming needs. As a standalone tool, it supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. IntelliJ IDEA stands out due to its compatibility with various large language models such as GPT-5, Gemini 2.0, Llama 4, and Mistral Enterprise, while also featuring JetBrains’ proprietary SLMs. With a substantial context window of 200k tokens and capabilities for local inference, IntelliJ IDEA offers robust agentic editing across multiple files and full terminal access. The IDE is equipped with predictive editing capabilities and adheres to a Standard Privacy Policy, with certifications including SOC2 Type II for enterprise use. Users can access a free tier, and the tool is available in both free and professional versions.
Pros
- ✓ Supports a wide range of language models.
- ✓ Offers agentic editing with multi-file support.
- ✓ Full terminal access and predictive edits.
- ✓ Available on multiple operating systems.
- ✓ Free tier available.
Cons
- ✕ Migration requires setup.
- ✕ Privacy mode is standard, not enhanced.
PyCharm Overview
PyCharm is another powerful IDE from JetBrains, specifically tailored for Python development. Like IntelliJ IDEA, it is a standalone application that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. PyCharm supports integration with several large language models, including GPT-5, Claude 4.5, and Gemini 3.0, among others. Despite not having a custom model, it provides a significant context window of 200k tokens and local inference capabilities. PyCharm features agentic editing and full terminal access, along with predictive editing. It follows a Standard Privacy Policy and is SOC2 Type II certified for enterprise-level privacy assurance. The IDE is accessible through a free tier, with a paid version available at a subscription fee.
Pros
- ✓ Optimized for Python development.
- ✓ Supports a variety of language models.
- ✓ Agentic editing and full terminal access.
- ✓ Cross-platform compatibility.
- ✓ Free tier available with subscription options.
Cons
- ✕ No custom model integration.
- ✕ Migration requires setup.
Comparison Table
| Feature | IntelliJ IDEA | PyCharm |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | JetBrains | JetBrains |
| Supported Llms | GPT-5, Gemini 2.0, Llama 4, Mistral Enterprise, JetBrains SLMs | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, o3, Cursor |
| Custom Model | JetBrains SLMs | – |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free/Pro | Free – $27/mo |
| Config File | .intellij-ai-config | pyproject.toml |
| Migration | Requires setup | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm are strong contenders in the IDE market, each offering unique strengths tailored to different programming needs. IntelliJ IDEA is more versatile with broader language model support, while PyCharm is specialized for Python development. Both tools offer free tiers and require setup for migration, making them accessible yet requiring some initial configuration.