IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate
$19.90/mo or $199/yr
PhpStorm 2025.3
$99.00/yr (1st year) - $59.00/yr (3rd year+)
Analysis
The definitive IDE for JVM development, now featuring a 'Unified Distribution' where professional tools are unlocked via subscription. Known for its unparalleled static analysis and the new 'Junie' AI agent, it remains the gold standard for complex enterprise Java/Kotlin, though its heavy resource footprint and high cost drive hobbyists toward AI-first editors.
Analysis
The industry's most specialized IDE for PHP and web development. The December 2025 'v2025.3' update features full PHP 8.5 support, native Claude Agent integration, and built-in Laravel support (via bundled Laravel Idea). It excels at WordPress development, complex refactoring, and deep code analysis. While it remains a paid subscription (unlike WebStorm), its efficiency in handling massive frameworks and its robust Xdebug integration make it the standard for professional PHP teams.
The Breakdown
| Feature | IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate | PhpStorm 2025.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | IDE | IDE |
| Subscription Cost | $19.90/mo or $199/yr | $99.00/yr (1st year) - $59.00/yr (3rd year+) |