Choosing the best IDE for Scala can make or break your development experience. The right Scala coding environment transforms complex functional programming tasks into manageable work.
I’ve spent years building Scala applications across various IDEs. Each offers different strengths:
- Type inference and code completion capabilities
- Integration with SBT and other build tools
- Support for Akka, Play Framework, and ZIO
- Scala 3 compatibility and Dotty support
- Performance on different hardware setups
This guide compares IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse’s Scala IDE, VS Code with Metals, Scastie, and Vim for Scala development. You’ll learn which IDE best fits your needs based on project size, team requirements, and whether you need free or commercial options. From robust debugging to lightweight editing, find your perfect Scala development environment.
The Best IDEs for Scala
IntelliJ IDEA
What Is IntelliJ IDEA?
- JetBrains’ flagship IDE with exceptional Scala support through its Scala plugin
- A general-purpose development environment that excels in JVM language support
- The most popular Scala coding environment among professional developers
Key Features for Scala
- Powerful Scala code completion with type inference that understands complex implicit resolutions
- Integrated SBT, Maven, and Gradle build tools with seamless project management
- Advanced debugger with Scala-specific features and worksheet functionality
- First-class support for Scala frameworks like Akka, Play Framework, and ZIO
- Built-in testing tools for ScalaTest and Specs2 integration
- Comprehensive code analysis and inspection tools with quick fixes
Pros
- Unmatched intelligent code assistance that understands Scala’s type system
- Robust refactoring tools specifically designed for functional programming patterns
- Seamless integration with the entire Scala ecosystem
- Regular updates with Scala 3 and Dotty support
- Cross-platform availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Cons
- Resource-heavy IDE that requires significant RAM (at least 8GB recommended)
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Can be slow to start up on older hardware
Best For
- Professional Scala developers working on enterprise projects
- Teams building complex Scala applications using multiple libraries
- Developers who need comprehensive IDE features for Scala development
Price & Licensing
- Community Edition: Free and open-source with basic Scala support
- Ultimate Edition: Subscription-based ($149-$649/year) with enhanced Scala tools
- Free for students, teachers, and open-source projects
Scala IDE for Eclipse
What Is Scala IDE for Eclipse?
- The official Scala plugin for Eclipse, developed by Lightbend (formerly Typesafe)
- Built specifically for Scala development on the Eclipse platform
- A mature Scala development environment with deep integration into Eclipse
Key Features for Scala
- Scala-aware syntax highlighting and code completion
- Integrated Scala compiler with error highlighting
- SBT integration for build management
- Scala debugger with breakpoints and variable inspection
- Scala REPL integration for interactive coding
- Code navigation tools optimized for Scala projects
Pros
- Lightweight alternative to IntelliJ with faster startup times
- Familiar environment for existing Eclipse users
- Strong type checking and compilation error feedback
- Free and open-source development environment
- Good integration with other Eclipse plugins
Cons
- Less active development compared to other Scala IDEs
- Occasional stability issues with complex Scala projects
- Not as feature-rich as IntelliJ for advanced Scala development
- Limited Scala 3 support
Best For
- Developers already comfortable with Eclipse ecosystem
- Teams with mixed Java and Scala codebases
- Academic environments teaching Scala programming
- Developers working on simpler Scala applications
Price & Licensing
- Completely free and open-source
- No commercial version or subscription required
Visual Studio Code (with Metals extension)
What Is Visual Studio Code with Metals?
- Microsoft’s lightweight, extensible code editor enhanced with Metals for Scala support
- A modern, cross-platform development environment with growing Scala community
- Combines VS Code’s flexibility with Scala-specific tooling through Metals and Bloop
Key Features for Scala
- Metals extension provides semantic highlighting and code navigation
- Smart code completion with Scala type inference
- Build tool integration (SBT, Mill, Gradle, Maven)
- Debugging support through the Scala Debug Adapter
- Testing framework integration
- Worksheet support for interactive development
- Import suggestions and auto-imports
Pros
- Significantly lighter resource footprint than full IDEs
- Fast startup and responsive editing experience
- Highly customizable through VS Code’s extension ecosystem
- Excellent Git integration
- Modern UI with customizable themes
- Active development and growing community support
Cons
- Less comprehensive Scala tooling compared to dedicated IDEs
- Occasionally slower code intelligence for very large Scala projects
- Setup requires more configuration than pre-packaged Scala IDEs
Best For
- Developers who prefer lightweight editors over full IDEs
- Full-stack developers working across multiple languages
- Teams that value customizability and cross-platform consistency
- New Scala developers looking for a familiar, approachable environment
Price & Licensing
- Completely free and open-source
- All Scala extensions including Metals are free
- No paid tiers or subscription requirements
Scastie
What Is Scastie?
- An online Scala IDE and code-sharing platform maintained by the Scala Center
- Web-based Scala coding environment requiring no local installation
- Perfect for quick snippets, examples, and sharing Scala code
Key Features for Scala
- Instant compilation and execution of Scala code in the browser
- Support for different Scala versions including Scala 3/Dotty
- Library dependency management
- Scala.js support for client-side execution
- Worksheet-like functionality
- Embeddable snippets for blogs and documentation
Pros
- Zero setup required—start coding Scala instantly
- Easy sharing of code examples via URLs
- Works on any device with a web browser
- No local resources used—server-side compilation
- Excellent for teaching and learning Scala
Cons
- Limited for long-term development of complex projects
- Cannot work offline without internet connection
- Fewer advanced features than desktop IDEs
- Not suitable for complete application development
Best For
- Beginners learning Scala fundamentals
- Educators teaching Scala programming concepts
- Sharing code examples in forums or documentation
- Quickly testing Scala code ideas without local setup
- Collaborating on code snippets with colleagues
Price & Licensing
- Free web service with no registration required
- Open-source project backed by the Scala Center
Vim (for experienced users with plugins)
What Is Vim for Scala?
- The legendary text editor enhanced with Scala plugins
- A highly customizable, keyboard-focused development environment
- Popular among experienced programmers who value efficiency and customization
Key Features for Scala
- Scala syntax highlighting through syntax plugins
- Code completion via Metals integration or other plugins
- SBT integration for building and testing
- Tag-based code navigation
- Integration with external linting and formatting tools
- Ensime plugin for enhanced Scala intelligence
Pros
- Extremely lightweight with minimal resource usage
- Unmatched editing speed for experienced users
- Fully customizable with extensive plugin ecosystem
- Works in terminal environments and remote servers
- Available on virtually any platform
Cons
- Steep learning curve with unique modal editing approach
- Requires significant configuration for optimal Scala development
- Less intuitive for beginners compared to graphical IDEs
- Setup for Scala requires multiple plugins and configuration files
Best For
- Experienced developers who already know Vim
- Programmers who value keyboard efficiency
- Developers working frequently in terminal environments
- Those who need to edit Scala code on remote servers
- Minimalists who prefer lightweight tools
Price & Licensing
- Free and open-source
- Community-maintained plugins for Scala support
FAQ on The Best IDE for Scala
Which IDE has the best Scala support?
IntelliJ IDEA leads with comprehensive Scala support. Its plugin understands complex type inference, implicit resolution, and pattern matching. JetBrains continuously updates it for Scala 3 compatibility. For developers who need powerful refactoring tools and deep integration with the Scala ecosystem, IntelliJ remains the top choice.
Do I need a paid IDE for Scala development?
No. Free options like Visual Studio Code with Metals, Scala IDE for Eclipse, and Scastie provide solid Scala support. IntelliJ’s Community Edition offers basic functionality. Commercial IDEs add advanced debugging, profiling, and framework integrations. Choose based on project complexity and team needs.
How does VS Code compare to IntelliJ for Scala?
VS Code with Metals offers a lightweight Scala development environment with faster startup times and lower resource usage. IntelliJ provides deeper language understanding and more robust refactoring tools. VS Code suits multi-language projects, while IntelliJ excels in pure Scala or JVM ecosystem development.
Which Scala IDE works best with SBT?
All major Scala IDEs support SBT integration. IntelliJ IDEA offers the smoothest experience with visual SBT project management. VS Code with Metals has improved significantly, providing reliable build tool integration. Eclipse’s Scala IDE includes SBT support but may require more configuration.
Can I use Vim effectively for Scala programming?
Yes. Vim becomes a powerful Scala editor with plugins like Metals, Ensime, or scala-vim. Experienced Vim users benefit from keyboard-centric workflows and lightweight resource usage. Setup requires configuration, but the efficiency gains make it worthwhile for those familiar with modal editing.
What’s the best IDE for learning Scala?
Scastie provides the easiest entry point with zero setup and instant feedback. IntelliJ IDEA offers helpful error explanations and code suggestions. VS Code with Metals balances simplicity with capabilities. For beginners, choosing an IDE with good documentation and community support matters more than advanced features.
How important is Dotty/Scala 3 support in an IDE?
Critical for forward-looking projects. Scala 3 introduces significant syntax changes and new features requiring proper IDE support. IntelliJ IDEA and VS Code with Metals lead in Scala 3 compatibility. Check for regular updates as Scala 3 adoption grows. Testing your specific Scala 3 code patterns in your IDE is recommended.
Which Scala IDE offers the best debugging experience?
IntelliJ IDEA provides the most comprehensive Scala debugging with expression evaluation, conditional breakpoints, and frame exploration that understands Scala’s type system. Eclipse’s Scala IDE offers solid debugging capabilities. VS Code’s debugging through DAP continues to improve but lacks some advanced features.
Do Scala IDEs work well with Play Framework?
Yes. IntelliJ IDEA offers first-class Play Framework support with templates, routes, and configuration assistance. Eclipse with the Play plugin provides good integration. VS Code requires more manual configuration but works effectively. IDE choice affects productivity when working with Play’s unique structure.
What’s the best cross-platform IDE for Scala?
VS Code with Metals offers the most consistent cross-platform experience across Windows, macOS, and Linux. IntelliJ IDEA maintains feature parity but requires more resources. For developers working across multiple operating systems, VS Code’s lightweight nature and uniform behavior make it particularly attractive.
Conclusion
Finding the best IDE for Scala ultimately depends on your specific needs and workflow preferences. Each development environment offers unique strengths for Scala programming. IntelliJ provides comprehensive tooling while VS Code with Metals delivers lightweight performance.
When choosing your Scala coding environment, consider:
- Scala compiler integration and build tool support
- Code navigation and refactoring capabilities
- Framework compatibility with Play Framework or Akka
- Scala.js and Scala Native support if needed
- Resource requirements versus available hardware
Whether you need enterprise-grade functionality from JetBrains’ offering, the cross-platform consistency of Microsoft’s editor, or the rapid sharing of Scastie, today’s Scala ecosystem offers excellent options. Start with the IDE that matches your experience level, then explore alternatives as your skills grow. The right tool transforms complex functional programming tasks into manageable, enjoyable work.
If you liked this article about the best IDE for Scala, you should check out this article about the best IDE for Golang.
There are also similar articles discussing the best IDE for Linux, the best IDE for PHP, the best IDE for Rust, and the best IDE for Ruby.
And let’s not forget about articles on the best IDE for TypeScript, the best IDE for Angular, the best IDE for React, and the best IDE for Android.
With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology.
A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.
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