8 Best IDEs for Kotlin of 2026

1. 1

   IntelliJ IDEA

   JetBrains' JVM IDE, built by the same company that develops Kotlin, with the Kotlin plugin bundled in every release.

   9.1overall

   JetBrains' JVM IDE, built by the same company that develops Kotlin, with the Kotlin plugin bundled in every release.

   Best forserver-side and multiplatform Kotlin developers

   Adoption data

   24.3%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 24.3% of 13,193 respondents to the development environments question said they used IntelliJ IDEA regularly.

   Stack Overflow, Dev IDEs, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “IntelliJ IDEA 3,201 24.3%”

   IntelliJ IDEA is where Kotlin support lands first. The Kotlin documentation says the Kotlin plugin is bundled with each IntelliJ IDEA release and that each release brings upgrades for Kotlin developers. JetBrains' help pages list Kotlin project templates, coding assistance, refactorings, debugging and analysis tools, and note that most Java tooling works on Kotlin code too. For multiplatform work, the Kotlin Multiplatform quickstart names IntelliJ IDEA and Android Studio as the two IDEs with full KMP support. Server developers get a bundled Ktor plugin with a project wizard, a dedicated run configuration and navigation between routes. Since version 2025.3 JetBrains ships one product: the core stays free, and an Ultimate subscription adds advanced tooling with a 30-day trial on install. We could not load a USD price for Ultimate from our location, so the price is marked pending. The main tradeoff is weight: it is a full JVM IDE and uses more resources than a text editor.

   Strengths

   • +Made by JetBrains, the company that develops Kotlin
   • +Free tier includes the Kotlin plugin and more features than the former Community Edition
   • +Every Ultimate feature can be tried for 30 days after install

   Limitations

   • −Ultimate price could not be confirmed in USD from our location
   • −Heavier on memory and startup than VS Code, Zed or Neovim
   • −Spring and enterprise framework tooling sits in the paid Ultimate tier

   SummaryIntelliJ IDEA is the best Kotlin IDE for server and multiplatform developers because the Kotlin plugin ships in every release and KMP is fully supported. Pick Android Studio instead only if your work is mostly Android apps.

2. 2

   Android Studio

   Google's official Android IDE, built on IntelliJ IDEA, with the Kotlin plugin bundled in each release.

   8.9overall

   Google's official Android IDE, built on IntelliJ IDEA, with the Kotlin plugin bundled in each release.

   Best forAndroid app developers

   Adoption data

   14.2%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 14.2% of 13,193 respondents to the development environments question said they used Android Studio regularly.

   Stack Overflow, Dev IDEs, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Android Studio 1,880 14.2%”

   Android Studio is the official IDE for Android development, and the Kotlin documentation describes it as built on IntelliJ IDEA with the Kotlin plugin bundled in each release. That means Kotlin editing, inspections and refactorings match IntelliJ IDEA closely, with Android layout, emulator and build tooling added. Google's Kotlin-first page says new Android libraries are designed with Kotlin users in mind and lists Android Studio support for Kotlin alongside Kotlin-specific AndroidX APIs such as KTX and coroutines. The Kotlin Multiplatform quickstart names Android Studio as one of two IDEs with full KMP support, so mobile teams sharing code with iOS can stay here. The IDE is free, and Google's Gemini agent inside it has a no-cost tier for individuals. It ranks below IntelliJ IDEA for this audience because it has no server-side framework tooling, so backend Kotlin developers get less from it.

   Strengths

   • +Free, with no paid tier needed for Kotlin
   • +Official Google IDE for Android, so new Android tooling arrives here first
   • +Same Kotlin editing engine as IntelliJ IDEA

   Limitations

   • −Built for Android; server frameworks like Ktor and Spring are better served by IntelliJ IDEA
   • −Large install with the Android SDK and emulators
   • −iOS builds for KMP still need a Mac with Xcode

   SummaryAndroid Studio is the best Kotlin IDE for Android developers because Google builds it on IntelliJ IDEA, bundles the Kotlin plugin and charges nothing. Server-side Kotlin teams should use IntelliJ IDEA instead.

3. 3

   Visual Studio Code

   Microsoft's free code editor, with official Kotlin support through the Kotlin by JetBrains extension.

   8.8overall

   Microsoft's free code editor, with official Kotlin support through the Kotlin by JetBrains extension.

   Best fordevelopers who want a free lightweight editor

   Adoption data

   70.9%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 70.9% of 13,193 respondents to the development environments question said they used Visual Studio Code regularly, the highest share of any editor.

   Stack Overflow, Dev IDEs, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Visual Studio Code 9,350 70.9%”

   Visual Studio Code is the one editor outside the JetBrains family that the Kotlin documentation lists as officially supported. JetBrains publishes the Kotlin by JetBrains extension, which provides code completion, navigation, debugging and other Kotlin features through the Kotlin Language Server. The README for that server says it is built on IntelliJ IDEA and its Kotlin plugin, and lists diagnostics with quick fixes, semantic highlighting, rename refactoring, organize imports, formatting and call hierarchy. Build support covers Gradle and Maven JVM projects, with experimental Android Gradle Plugin support. The limits are clear in the same README: the project is in Alpha, and Kotlin Multiplatform support is planned for future releases. Users of the older jetbrains.kotlin extension need to move to the new jetbrains.kotlin-server ID. VS Code is free for private and commercial use and was the most used editor in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey, so it scores high on adoption and value even though its Kotlin depth trails the JetBrains IDEs.

   Strengths

   • +The only editor outside the JetBrains IDEs with official Kotlin support
   • +Free and already installed by most developers
   • +Language server is based on IntelliJ IDEA's Kotlin plugin

   Limitations

   • −Kotlin extension is in Alpha
   • −No Kotlin Multiplatform support yet, per the Kotlin LSP README
   • −The extension's marketplace ID changed, so older installs must switch to jetbrains.kotlin-server

   SummaryVisual Studio Code is the best free lightweight Kotlin editor because JetBrains ships an official Kotlin extension for it. Teams on Kotlin Multiplatform should stay with IntelliJ IDEA or Android Studio until the language server adds KMP.

4. 4

   Neovim

   Open source, keyboard-driven editor with a built-in LSP client and a preset for the official Kotlin LSP.

   7.7overall

   Open source, keyboard-driven editor with a built-in LSP client and a preset for the official Kotlin LSP.

   Best forterminal-first developers

   Adoption data

   14.7%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 14.7% of 13,193 respondents to the development environments question said they used Neovim regularly.

   Stack Overflow, Dev IDEs, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Neovim 1,939 14.7%”

   Neovim has a built-in LSP client, and the Kotlin LSP repository from JetBrains includes a Neovim setup guide. The guide points to a preset kotlin_lsp configuration in the official nvim-lspconfig plugin, so enabling Kotlin takes a couple of lines once the kotlin-lsp binary is on your path. The language server can be installed with Homebrew or from a standalone zip on the releases page. That gives Neovim the same IntelliJ-powered completion, diagnostics, quick fixes, rename and formatting that VS Code users get. What it does not give you is a debugger, Gradle tool window or project wizards, and the server itself is Alpha without Kotlin Multiplatform support. Neovim is free under the Apache 2.0 license, and 14.7% of respondents to the 2026 Stack Overflow survey used it regularly. It suits developers who already live in a terminal and want Kotlin analysis without a JVM IDE.

   Strengths

   • +Kotlin LSP setup is documented by JetBrains' own repository
   • +Free, light and scriptable
   • +Same IntelliJ-based Kotlin analysis as the VS Code extension

   Limitations

   • −No debugger or Gradle tooling for Kotlin out of the box
   • −Kotlin LSP is Alpha and lacks Kotlin Multiplatform support
   • −Manual setup of the language server binary and config

   SummaryNeovim is the best Kotlin option for terminal-first developers because nvim-lspconfig ships a preset for the official Kotlin LSP. Anyone who needs a Kotlin debugger or KMP tooling should use a JetBrains IDE.

5. 5

   Zed

   Fast native code editor whose Kotlin extension downloads the official Kotlin LSP automatically.

   7.6overall

   Fast native code editor whose Kotlin extension downloads the official Kotlin LSP automatically.

   Best fordevelopers who want a fast native editor

   Adoption data

   11.4%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 11.4% of 13,193 respondents to the development environments question said they used Zed regularly.

   Stack Overflow, Dev IDEs, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Zed 1,504 11.4%”

   Zed's documentation says Kotlin support comes from a community-maintained Kotlin extension that uses the official Kotlin LSP from JetBrains by default. Zed downloads and updates that server automatically, which removes the manual install step Neovim and Emacs users face. If you prefer, you can switch to the older community kotlin-language-server in settings, and Zed's docs show how to set a JVM target and JAVA_HOME. Highlighting comes from a tree-sitter Kotlin grammar. Because the analysis comes from the same Alpha Kotlin LSP, the feature set matches VS Code: completion, diagnostics, rename and formatting for Gradle and Maven JVM projects, but no Kotlin Multiplatform yet. Zed's Personal plan is free, and Pro costs $10 per month for hosted AI models and edit predictions. 11.4% of respondents to the 2026 Stack Overflow survey used Zed regularly, which is solid for a newer editor.

   Strengths

   • +Kotlin LSP installs itself, with no manual binary setup
   • +Free plan covers all Kotlin editing
   • +Choice of two Kotlin language servers

   Limitations

   • −Kotlin extension is community-maintained, not official
   • −No Kotlin Multiplatform support through the language server yet
   • −Paid Pro plan adds AI, not Kotlin features

   SummaryZed is the best Kotlin option for developers who want a fast native editor because its extension installs and updates the official Kotlin LSP for you. Its Kotlin support is community-maintained, so large JVM or KMP projects are better served by IntelliJ IDEA.

6. 6

   Cursor

   AI-first code editor that installs extensions from Open VSX, where JetBrains publishes its Kotlin extension.

   7.5overall

   AI-first code editor that installs extensions from Open VSX, where JetBrains publishes its Kotlin extension.

   Best fordevelopers who want AI agents in their Kotlin editor

   Adoption data

   14.9%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 14.9% of 13,193 respondents to the development environments question said they used Cursor regularly.

   Stack Overflow, Dev IDEs, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Cursor 1,971 14.9%”

   Cursor's documentation says it uses Open VSX for third-party extensions, and JetBrains publishes the Kotlin by JetBrains extension there under the ID JetBrains.kotlin-server. That gives Cursor users the same Kotlin Language Server as VS Code: completion, diagnostics, quick fixes, rename and formatting for Gradle and Maven projects. Developers moving from VS Code can import extensions, themes, settings and keybindings with one click. Cursor routes extension downloads through its own marketplace proxy, which matters to teams that care about supply-chain checks. The Kotlin experience inherits the language server's limits: Alpha status and no Kotlin Multiplatform support yet. The reason to choose Cursor is AI: its agents and chat sit beside the Kotlin tooling. The free plan works for trying it, and Plus costs $8 per month in USD. 14.9% of respondents to the 2026 Stack Overflow survey used Cursor regularly.

   Strengths

   • +AI agents and chat on top of the official Kotlin language server
   • +Imports an existing VS Code setup in one click
   • +Low entry price at $8 per month

   Limitations

   • −Kotlin features depend on the Alpha Kotlin LSP extension
   • −No Kotlin Multiplatform support through the language server yet
   • −Higher AI usage needs pricier plans

   SummaryCursor is the best Kotlin option for developers who want AI agents in their editor because it installs the official Kotlin extension from Open VSX and starts at $8 per month. For deep refactoring and KMP, IntelliJ IDEA remains stronger.

7. 7

   GNU Emacs

   Free, extensible editor from the GNU Project that can run the Kotlin LSP through Eglot or lsp-mode.

   7.1overall

   Free, extensible editor from the GNU Project that can run the Kotlin LSP through Eglot or lsp-mode.

   Best forEmacs users adding Kotlin to an existing setup

   Adoption data

   5.3%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 5.3% of 13,193 respondents to the development environments question said they used Emacs regularly.

   Stack Overflow, Dev IDEs, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Emacs 697 5.3%”

   GNU Emacs describes itself as an extensible, customizable, free/libre text editor, and its feature list includes content-aware editing modes, a debugger interface and a package system. For Kotlin, the JetBrains Kotlin LSP repository includes two ready-made configuration files, one for Eglot and one for lsp-mode, the two common ways to connect Emacs to a language server. Once the kotlin-lsp binary is installed, Emacs gets the same IntelliJ-based completion, diagnostics, rename and formatting as other LSP editors on this list. The limits are the same too: the server is Alpha and does not yet handle Kotlin Multiplatform. Emacs 31.1 shipped on August 24, 2026, so the editor is actively maintained. 5.3% of respondents to the 2026 Stack Overflow survey used it regularly. It ranks low for Kotlin because nothing is preconfigured, but it costs nothing and suits developers who already run their work in Emacs.

   Strengths

   • +Free software with a long-running release history
   • +Two ready-made Kotlin LSP configs in JetBrains' repository
   • +Fully scriptable in Emacs Lisp

   Limitations

   • −Kotlin setup is manual and depends on the Alpha Kotlin LSP
   • −No Kotlin Multiplatform support yet
   • −Steep learning curve for developers new to Emacs

   SummaryGNU Emacs is the best Kotlin option for existing Emacs users because JetBrains' Kotlin LSP repository ships Eglot and lsp-mode configs. Developers starting fresh should begin with IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code.

8. 8

   Eclipse IDE

   Open source Java IDE from the Eclipse Foundation, with an Alpha Kotlin plugin from JetBrains on the Eclipse Marketplace.

   6.6overall

   Open source Java IDE from the Eclipse Foundation, with an Alpha Kotlin plugin from JetBrains on the Eclipse Marketplace.

   Best forteams already standardized on Eclipse

   Adoption data

   6.9%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 6.9% of 13,193 respondents to the development environments question said they used Eclipse regularly.

   Stack Overflow, Dev IDEs, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Eclipse 910 6.9%”

   Eclipse IDE is a free, open source Java IDE under the Eclipse Public License 2.0, and it can run Kotlin through the Kotlin Plugin for Eclipse that JetBrains lists on the Eclipse Marketplace. The listing says the plugin helps you write, run, debug and test Kotlin programs, and it supports Eclipse versions up to 2025-06. The weak points are in the same listing: development status is Alpha, the last update was May 22, 2025, and the plugin recorded 6 installs in October 2026. The Kotlin documentation also says JetBrains provides official Kotlin support only for IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio and the VS Code extension. Eclipse itself is widely used, with 6.9% of respondents to the 2026 Stack Overflow survey using it regularly, but for Kotlin that usage reflects Java work. Pick it only if your team is tied to Eclipse and writes a little Kotlin alongside Java.

   Strengths

   • +Free and familiar to Java teams
   • +Kotlin plugin includes a debugger and test runner
   • +Lets mixed Java and Kotlin teams stay in one IDE

   Limitations

   • −Kotlin plugin is marked Alpha and was last updated in May 2025
   • −Kotlin docs say JetBrains provides no official plugins for other IDEs
   • −Only 6 Marketplace installs of the Kotlin plugin in October 2026

   SummaryEclipse IDE is the right Kotlin choice only for teams already standardized on Eclipse because its Kotlin plugin is Alpha and has not been updated since May 2025. Everyone else should use IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code.

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