IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3 Launches with Enhanced Free Features and Full Java 25 Support

A Unified Approach to Java Development

JetBrains has launched IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3, marking the debut of a new unified integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for Java development. This release merges the Community Edition and Ultimate versions into a single package, offering users a more streamlined experience while introducing several new features. One of the most notable additions is full support for Java 25, making it a significant update for developers working with the latest Java runtime.

IntelliJ IDEA has long been a favorite among developers for its robust tools and support for Java and Kotlin. However, the existence of two separate versions—Community and Ultimate—created some unnecessary complexity for users. Earlier this year, JetBrains announced plans to unify these versions into one package, aiming to simplify the development process. The company also introduced a fully open-source build in the previous 2025.2 release, which was a step toward greater accessibility.

The new IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3 update represents the culmination of that effort, providing a single downloadable package that includes both core and extended features. Users can download the IDE for free, enjoying the same features available in the Community Edition. For those who require additional functionality, a valid Ultimate license unlocks advanced tools. Additionally, a free trial of the Ultimate version is now available without switching IDEs.

As part of the unification, some features from the Ultimate edition are now accessible in the free version. These include basic syntax highlighting for Spring, Karta EE, and templating engines like Thymeleaf. Developers also gain access to a Spring Boot project wizard, database connections, and schema-aware SQL completion. Support for SQL language, the Ktor framework, an LSP API for adding more languages, and HEML/YAML schema is also included in the free version.

However, certain advanced features still require an Ultimate license. These include integrated data tools, the IntelliJ Profiler, HTTP client, support for languages beyond Java and Kotlin (such as JavaScript and TypeScript), and AI-related features. The Ultimate subscription costs $199 for the first year and $159 per year thereafter. Older one-time purchase versions of Ultimate remain compatible, and students and teachers can still obtain the software for free through an educational license.

Enhanced Features for Modern Development

In addition to the unification, IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3 introduces several new features designed to improve the development workflow. One of the key updates is better support for Java 25. All bundled tools and libraries now work seamlessly with Java 25 runtimes, including Async Profiler 4.1 and JaCoCo. Developers can also download JDK 25 builds directly from IDEA, making it easier to work with the latest Java version.

Inspired by similar upgrades in Visual Studio Code, the new release allows users to leverage generative AI features using their own API keys or OpenAI-compatible local models. JetBrains continues to offer its own AI subscription, and users can also connect to Anthropic Claude. This update also enables developers to switch between multiple AI agents within the same chat interface, enhancing flexibility.

Another notable feature is command completion, a new way to access context-aware actions directly from code completion. Developers can type a period (.) to see code completion and postfix completion suggestions, along with available actions. Typing two periods (..) will display only actions. The release also includes full support for Spring Boot 4, Spring Framework 7, and Vitest 4, alongside improvements to Kubernetes deployments.

A New Default Theme

One more change worth noting is the introduction of the 'Islands' theme as the default. According to a blog post from JetBrains, this theme is more than just a visual refresh—it reflects the company's commitment to providing an optimal development experience. The theme features instantly recognizable tabs, improved in-editor contrast, clear separation between working areas, and rounded corners. Designed to create a soft and balanced environment, the Islands theme aims to help developers stay focused and code with ease.

Developers can download IntelliJ IDEA for Windows, macOS, and Linux from the official website.