Free and open source software are one of the most widely used. Mac has a great deal of support for free and open source software. But like all new technologies, some use to be free, and then others go free as time passes. The developers of open source-based software have to be paid to develop and maintain the software, so while the technology is free, the developers are not. However, many organizations choose to buy the rights to the software in order to gain access to the software and not get stuck with the development costs.
I recommend using the free version of NetBeans IDE on the Mac because it is easy to install and it also has built in templates that can be used. For example, if you are developing a Windows application, you will need a separate Windows template. The applications are also available for both the Macintosh and PC operating systems. You can find them on the company's website.
There are many reasons to download the free version of NetBeans IDE on the Mac. The developer does not charge for the software, but they do ask that you register for their mailing list. This is a great feature, especially if you are just getting started with creating applications or if you want to know more about the business of developing applications. The biggest benefit is that there is no cost. All you have to do is to sign up for the mailing list and the software will be sent to your inbox. It is a simple, quick, and easy way to receive updates on what new versions of the software are available.