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Visual Studio Code

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Company health

Employee growth
3% increase in the last year
Web traffic
11% decrease in the last quarter

Ratings

G2
4.7/5
(2322)
Capterra
4.8/5
(1597)
TrustPilot
3.7/5
(1)

Visual Studio Code description

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free code editor by Microsoft for building modern web and cloud applications. Available on Linux, Mac OSX, and Windows, it supports nearly every major programming language. VS Code features syntax highlighting, code refactoring, a built-in terminal, and version control integration. A vast library of extensions allows users to customize the editor for specific workflows and programming languages.


Who is Visual Studio Code best for

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a versatile, free code editor ideal for developers of all skill levels. Its user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and robust Git integration streamline the coding process. VS Code supports a wide array of programming languages and frameworks, empowering developers to build modern web and cloud applications efficiently. While performance can be an issue with larger projects, users generally praise VS Code's flexibility and rich feature set.

  • Ideal for small, medium, and enterprise companies.

  • Best fit for Software, IT & Telecommunications.


Visual Studio Code features

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
Supported

VS Code has a built-in terminal for running commands like mkdir, git, and others.

Supported

VS Code allows installing, customizing, and even creating themes.

Supported

Visual Studio Code supports Git integration, including push and pull operations.

Supported

Visual Studio Code supports multiple programming languages through extensions and core features.

Supported

VS Code supports extensions to add languages, debuggers, and tools.

Supported

Visual Studio Code supports syntax highlighting to improve code readability.

Supported

Visual Studio Code supports code refactoring, including renaming variables and extracting methods.

Qualities

We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software

Value and Pricing Transparency

Strongly positive
+1

Customer Service

Strongly positive
+0.75

Ease of Use

Strongly positive
+0.91

Reliability and Performance

Neutral
+0.1

Ease of Implementation

Rather positive
+0.65

Scalability

Rather negative
-0.33

Visual Studio Code reviews

We've summarised 3894 Visual Studio Code reviews (Visual Studio Code GetApp reviews, Visual Studio Code TrustPilot reviews, Visual Studio Code Capterra reviews and Visual Studio Code G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of Visual Studio Code
  • Extensive library of extensions provides wide-ranging customization and functionality enhancements.
  • User-friendly interface with customizable themes, keyboard shortcuts, and layout.
  • Excellent Git integration simplifies version control and collaboration.
  • Built-in debugging tools and IntelliSense enhance code development and troubleshooting.
  • Supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks.
Cons of Visual Studio Code
  • Performance issues, especially with larger projects or multiple extensions can cause slowdowns or crashes.
  • Occasional bugs and glitches with extensions can disrupt workflow.
  • Frequent updates can be disruptive, sometimes requiring restarts and extension adjustments.
  • Initial setup and configuration can be time-consuming for new users, especially regarding language support and extensions.

Visual Studio Code pricing

The commentary is based on 264 reviews from Visual Studio Code Capterra reviews and Visual Studio Code G2 reviews.

Visual Studio Code is free to use. The source code is available under the MIT license agreement at https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/main/LICENSE.txt.

Users sentiment

Strongly positive
+1

See the Visual Studio Code pricing page.

  • Visual Studio Code has a free plan.


Visual Studio Code alternatives

  • Logo of Sublime Text
    visual-studio-code vs Sublime Text
    Better fit for finance, e-commerce, retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, media, government, marketing, professional services, and automotive industries. Has slower momentum. Users appreciate the speed and minimalist design but dislike the occasional performance lags and limited theme selection. Sublime Text is a Visual Studio Code alternative and competitor.
    Read more
  • Logo of Eclipse Che
    Eclipse Che
    Cloud IDE better suited for team collaboration, especially for medium to large enterprises. Has more momentum based on employee growth. A Visual Studio Code competitor and alternative.
    Read more
  • Logo of PyCharm
    visual-studio-code vs PyCharm
    Better suited for Python development, with AI-powered code completion. Has strong momentum in terms of website traffic and employee growth. A popular Visual Studio Code competitor for professional Python developers.
    Read more
  • Logo of Datalore
    Datalore
    Better fit for collaborative data science projects. Geared towards data analysis, visualization, and reporting. Has stronger momentum in terms of website traffic and employee growth.
    Read more
  • Logo of TextPad
    TextPad
    Better for handling large text files. Easier to use, with good performance. A good Visual Studio Code alternative for Windows users working with plain text. Paid software with limited customization and no Linux or Mac versions.
    Read more
  • Logo of Notepad++
    Notepad++
    More limited in features. Windows only. Has less momentum. Simpler, lightweight editor better for basic coding and text editing. A good Visual Studio Code alternative for Windows users seeking a simpler, faster experience.
    Read more

Visual Studio Code FAQ

  • What is Visual Studio Code and what does Visual Studio Code do?

    Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free, versatile code editor by Microsoft, supporting various programming languages and platforms. It offers features like syntax highlighting, debugging, Git integration, and a vast library of extensions for customized workflows. VS Code is ideal for developers of all skill levels seeking a powerful and flexible coding environment.

  • How does Visual Studio Code integrate with other tools?

    Visual Studio Code integrates with other tools through its extensive library of extensions. These extensions enhance functionality by adding language support, debuggers, and integrations with version control systems like Git, streamlining the development workflow.

  • What the main competitors of Visual Studio Code?

    Top alternatives to Visual Studio Code include Sublime Text, Atom, Notepad++, and TextPad. These code editors offer varying features and functionalities, catering to different developer preferences and project needs. Consider factors like performance, extensibility, and OS compatibility when choosing.

  • Is Visual Studio Code legit?

    Yes, Visual Studio Code is a legitimate and safe code editor developed by Microsoft. It's free, open-source, and trusted by millions of developers worldwide for its versatility, extensive features, and robust security. It's highly regarded for its customizability and Git integration.

  • How much does Visual Studio Code cost?

    Visual Studio Code is free and open-source, making it a cost-effective choice for developers. Is Visual Studio Code worth it? Given its powerful features and zero price tag, it's definitely worth considering.

  • Is Visual Studio Code customer service good?

    Visual Studio Code's customer support receives mixed reviews. While the extensive community and readily available documentation are praised for their helpfulness, some users have found difficulty obtaining direct support and resolving specific issues, particularly with the terminal function.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.