VS Code
Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft
VS Code is built by Microsoft as a developer tool for building and debugging modern web and cloud applications. It is well-suited for developers who want a lightweight solution that maintains good performance on systems with limited resources compared to full-fledged IDEs. Key features include IntelliSense for advanced code completion and refactoring, built-in Git integration for version control management, out-of-the-box debugging tools, and cross-platform support across Windows, macOS, and Linux. The software is completely free to use and open-source, making it accessible for both individual developers and organizations.
Customizability is another major strength through its vast extensibility library, which allows users to add themes, linters, and debuggers. Additionally, users benefit from strong community support that provides extensive tutorials and third-party extensions. Because it operates as an open-source tool, check their official resources for any specific support policies or documentation needs not covered directly by the core application.
Features
Cross-platform
VS Code works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent development experience across different operating systems.
Extensibility
A vast library of extensions allows users to add functionalities like debuggers, linters, and themes, making it highly customizable.
Integrated Git
Built-in Git integration makes it easy to manage version control tasks directly within the editor.
Performance
Lightweight compared to full-fledged IDEs, ensuring good performance even on systems with limited resources.
IntelliSense
Advanced code completion and refactoring tools help improve coding efficiency and reduce errors.
Community Support
A strong and active community provides extensive support, tutorials, and third-party extensions.
Debugging
Robust debugging tools for various languages and frameworks are available out of the box.
Free and Open-Source
VS Code is completely free to use and open-source, which is beneficial for both individual developers and organizations.
Screenshots
VS Code vs. its alternatives
| VS Code |  GitHub |  Notepad++ |  Netbeans |  Sublime Text | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Open source | Open source | Open source |
| Platforms | |||||
| Listed features | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does VS Code cost?
VS Code is completely free to use and open-source.
What is VS Code used for?
VS Code is a developer tool used to build and debug modern web and cloud applications.
Which operating systems does VS Code support?
VS Code provides a consistent development experience across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What is IntelliSense in VS Code?
IntelliSense provides advanced code completion and refactoring tools to help improve coding efficiency and reduce errors.
Can I customize VS Code with extensions?
Yes, a vast library of extensions allows you to add functionalities like debuggers, linters, and themes.
What are the best alternatives to VS Code?
Some known alternatives include GitHub, Sublime Text, and Android Studio. You might prefer them depending on your specific project requirements and workflow preferences.
Alternatives to VS Code
Read the full comparison →GitHub
Originally founded as a project to simplify sharing code, GitHub has grown into an application used by over a million people to store over two million code repositories, making GitHub the largest code host in the world.
Notepad++
A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.
Netbeans
NetBeans IDE 7.0. Develop desktop, mobile and web applications with Java, PHP, C/C++ and more. Runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Solaris. NetBeans IDE is open-source and free.
Brackets
A modern, open source text editor that understands web design
IntelliJ IDEA
Capable and Ergonomic IDE for JVM
Node.js
Node.js is a platform built on Chrome's JavaScript runtime for easily building fast, scalable network applications
Microsoft Visual Studio
Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.
Vim
Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing