CLion Criticisms and Unpopular Opinions | Generated by AI
Question: What are some unpopular opinions about CLion, the C++ IDE?
Answer:
CLion, JetBrains’ cross-platform IDE for C and C++, is often praised for its refactoring tools, debugging capabilities, and CMake integration. However, it has drawn criticism for being resource-heavy and less intuitive for certain workflows. Here are some unpopular opinions drawn from developer discussions, highlighting perspectives that challenge the common hype:
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CLion is overrated and not worth the cost when free alternatives like VSCode or Qt Creator deliver similar results without the bloat. Many argue that while CLion excels in automation for large projects, its $200+ annual subscription feels unjustified, especially since tools like Qt Creator offer customizable syntax highlighting, compiler integration, and Clang-based analysis for free across platforms. This view positions CLion as a “paywall for convenience” rather than a necessity.
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It’s too slow and memory-hungry for anything beyond small projects, making it impractical for real-world use. Users frequently complain about high CPU usage, laggy indexing, and the need for at least 9GB of RAM just to run smoothly—issues that worsen on large codebases. One developer called it “a pain in the ass” for even a simple “Hello World” due to constant scanning that blocks functionality, suggesting it’s more hindrance than help in fast-paced environments.
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Requiring Java to run it is an unnecessary annoyance that undermines its appeal as a native-feeling C++ tool. As a Java-based IDE, CLion demands a full JRE installation, which frustrates non-Java developers who see it as bloating their setup for no good reason. This “small price to pay” for JetBrains’ ecosystem is viewed as outdated in 2025, when lighter, non-JVM options like Visual Studio exist.
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CLion pushes CMake too aggressively, complicating simple tasks and creating unnecessary auxiliary files. Critics dislike how it defaults to CMake for project setup, generating folders and configs that feel overengineered for quick edits or single-file execution. Plugins like “single file execution” help but still fall short, leading some to prefer plain editors like Vim for learning C++ fundamentals without the “smart” distractions.
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The default UI and shortcuts are poorly designed, feeling like a reskinned Eclipse rather than a modern IDE. The color scheme has been called “atrocious” by multiple users, with lag on every keystroke even on high-end hardware (e.g., i7 with 16GB RAM). Shortcuts differ wildly from other JetBrains tools like Rider, forcing constant remapping and reducing productivity for cross-IDE users.
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For cross-platform or embedded work, it’s inferior to lighter options like Qt Creator, which feels more pragmatic despite its dated look. While CLion shines in refactoring, Qt Creator’s automation for deployment and Qt projects is seen as superior for embedded devs, without the heavy customization scripts needed in CLion. This flips the script on CLion’s “feature-rich” reputation.
These opinions reflect a vocal minority frustrated by CLion’s enterprise focus, but they underscore how IDE preferences often boil down to project scale, hardware, and workflow needs.
References:
- Opinions on CLion? (Reddit r/cpp)
- Is CLion worth it as an IDE for C++ development? (Quora)
- CLion vs VSCode in 2023 for C++ (Reddit r/cpp)
- Is it worth getting CLion? (Reddit r/cpp)
- Why do people say CLion is great? (Reddit r/cpp)
- CLion IDE (Reddit r/cpp)
- CLion, the new C/C++ IDE from JetBrains (Hacker News)
- Why the hype about CLion? (Reddit r/cpp)
- Unpopular opinion: VSCode feels lighter than CLion (X post)