Eclipse vs. Netbeans
Main DifferenceEclipse and Netbeans are both popular Integrated Development Environments (IDE) for Java Development, but may be used for other tasks and programming languages, too. The eclipse java code formatter is much more powerful that netbeans'. NetBeans is sponsored by Oracle. Eclipse is sponsored by IBM.

Difference Between Eclipse and Netbeans
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
Eclipse can do automatically format on Java sources at save time.This feature was release in NetBeans 7.3.
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
The eclipse java code formatter seems to be much more powerful that netbeans'
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
NetBeans has the ability to open projects in different directories.
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
NetBeans can open any Maven project without having to convert it to an Eclipse specific project.
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
Netbeans maven integration has a feature to install a non-maven artifact (without pom.xml) into local (and maybe other) maven repository. Eclipse does not have this feature. There are only workarounds.
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
Eclipse has a "synchronize" view which displays differences between VCS (e.g. SVN, CVS etc.) and the local working copy as a tree view. Netbeans has a kind of synchronization view, too, but it displays the information as a table.
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
NetBeans is sponsored by Oracle. Eclipse is sponsored by IBM.
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
NetBeans user interface is built on Swing (Java native lightweight toolkit). Eclipse user interface is built on SWT (a Java wrapper around the system's underlying toolkit), so it needs compiled binary libraries that are platform dependent.
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
There is no difference between the both of them under platform support. Eclipse and NetBeans have cross-platform support. You can have this application running on Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris and any other platform, as long as JVM (Java Virtual Machine) is installed.
Eclipse vs. Netbeans
Both have a wide range of programming language support, which includes C/C++, Java, JavaScript and PHP. But how do you get this support is an interesting part. Eclipse is a plugin based IDE. Large part of its functionality comes from plugins. Features like Mobile application SDK’s, Rich Internet applications, and Architectural driven apps can be developed using plugins mostly. On the other hand NetBeans has many projects and is a tool based IDE. It incorporates many platforms using tooling support. Thus making it less scattered.
Eclipsenoun
(astronomy) An alignment of astronomical objects whereby one object comes between the observer (or notional observer) and another object, thus obscuring the latter.
Eclipsenoun
Especially, an alignment whereby a planetary object (for example, the Moon) comes between the Sun and another planetary object (for example, the Earth), resulting in a shadow being cast by the middle planetary object onto the other planetary object.
Eclipsenoun
A seasonal state of plumage in some birds, notably ducks, adopted temporarily after the breeding season and characterised by a dull and scruffy appearance.
Eclipsenoun
Obscurity, decline, downfall
Eclipseverb
(transitive) Of astronomical bodies, to cause an eclipse.
The Moon eclipsed the Sun.Eclipseverb
To overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.
Eclipseverb
(Irish grammar) To undergo eclipsis.
Eclipsenoun
one celestial body obscures another
Eclipseverb
exceed in importance; outweigh;
This problem overshadows our lives right nowEclipseverb
cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention;
The Sun eclipses the moon todayPlanets and stars often are occulted by other celestial bodiesEclipseverb
cause an eclipse of; of celestial bodies;
The moon eclipsed the sunWhat is Eclipse?
Eclipse is associated with IBM. Eclipse can do automatically format on Java sources at save time.This feature was release in NetBeans 7.3. Eclipse has a “synchronize” view which displays differences between VCS (e.g. SVN, CVS etc.) and the local working copy as a tree view.
What is Netbeans?
NetBeans is a Sun/Oracle environment. Netbeans has a kind of synchronization view displaying the information as a table. Netbeans maven integration has a feature to install a non-maven artifact (without pom.xml) into local (and maybe other) maven repository.