Free or paid what’s the difference. If you have company you can afford it professionally, if you are a student you can get a free license, if you are NEET dev you can —————- it.
I understand the downvotes but it is an interesting point.
First thing, Eclipse is not just free as in free beer, it is also free as in freedom, which can matter.
In addition, you may be surprised how much free (as in free beer) matters to large companies and governments. Of course, a multi-billion dollar company can pay, but the simple act of acquiring a license, no matter the cost, can be a lengthy bureaucratic process for the lowly developer who needs it. It is usually much easier to use free software, especially big names like Eclipse that may be pre-approved. Of course, using a free licence you have no right to, let alone piracy is a big no no.
And while I don't think corporate inefficiency is a good reason, it is a reality and you have to work with it.
