The Best Free VS Code AlternativesTop Code Editors & IDEs like VS Code

The best free alternative to Visual Studio Code is VSCodium, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Visual Studio Code and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Visual Studio Code are Vim, Notepad++, Kate and Eclipse.

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Visual Studio Code alternatives are mainly Code Editors but may also be Text Editors or IDEs.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Visual Studio Code.
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Visual Studio Code is a free and extensible code editor for building web, desktop, and mobile applications, using any programming language and framework.

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Visual Studio Code alternatives page was last updated Dec 14, 2024
  1. VSCodium icon
     323 likes

    VSCodium offers a privacy-focused, open-source alternative to Visual Studio Code, eliminating telemetry and proprietary components. It provides a similar code editing experience across Mac, Windows, and Linux without sacrificing functionality, customization, or support.

    201 VSCodium alternatives
    VSCodium screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Electron

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Prevent telemetry
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  No registration required
    6.  MIT License
    7.  Autocompletion
    8. Git icon  Git integration
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Syntax Highlighting
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Minimap
    VSCodium iconVisual Studio Code Icon

    VSCodium VS Visual Studio Code

    Is VSCodium a good alternative to Visual Studio Code?
     
    Comments about VSCodium as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
     
       
    Comment summary: VSCodium is often praised for being a telemetry-free, free, and open-source alternative to Visual Studio Code. Users appreciate its privacy-focused design while still maintaining most of the functionality found in Visual Studio Code, although some extensions, especially Microsoft-made ones, are not available. While some criticize VSCodium for these limitations, many users find it a viable and preferable option for those concerned about privacy.
    Thatstinkyguy

    It's Visual Studio Code without Microsoft's invasive telemetry BS.

    Top positive commentJan 3, 2023
    6
    social-remodeler

    It is Visual Studio Code and a tracker free free and open source version.

    Positive commentOct 2, 2024
    1
    Shaz Shah

    My go-to FOSS editor of choice, where Microsoft telemetry is removed.

    I do use it occasionally for Markdown as there are plenty of extensions that work with it. But my Markdown editor of choice is Typora.

    It's not as extensible as the original as the VSCode (esp. Microsoft-made extensions) but there's still plenty available. Have a look at the Open VSX Registry.

    Positive commentSep 12, 2024
    1
    Show more comments
    3 of 22 comments
    Visual Studio Code Icon
    VSCodium icon
    • Almost everyone thinks VSCodium is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • VSCodium is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Visual Studio Code.

    • VSCodium is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Visual Studio Code.

    • VSCodium is Free and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
    • VSCodium is Customizable and Privacy focusedVisual Studio Code is not according to our users
  2. Vim icon
     1308 likes

    Vim, or "Vi IMproved", is an advanced text editor that provides a myriad of features including syntax highlighting, word completion, and a vast amount of contributed content. This tool comes with a GUI version known as GVim. Vim's top features include being lightweight, keyboard-focused, and customizable. It...

    212 Vim alternatives
    Vim screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Keyboard focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Syntax Highlighting
    3.  Hackable
    4.  Well documented
    5.  Modal editor
    6.  Command line interface
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Portable
    11.  Batch Editing
    12.  Terminal-based
    Vim iconVisual Studio Code Icon

    Vim VS Visual Studio Code

    Is Vim a good alternative to Visual Studio Code?
     
    Comments about Vim as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
     
       
    alelondon

    the lightest alternative with the most features

    Top positive commentDec 22, 2022
    0
    Guest

    It is not alternative, if you dont want to spend your life configuring shit in vim instead of writing some code you should chose something else

    Top negative commentJun 9, 2023
    0
    Amara

    If you intend to use this, learn Vim Motions FIRST. If you're in VisualStudio Code, use the Vim plugin and start using the motions to get a feel for it. Using someone else's configuration is usually harder to learn because you have to learn that person's workflow. I say this because I see a lot of comments saying that it's extendable and lightweight which is all true but don't expose the true learning curve that using Vim proficiently requires.

    CommentDec 14, 2024
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    Visual Studio Code Icon
    Vim icon
    • Most users think Vim is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • Vim is Free and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
    • Vim is Lightweight and CustomizableVisual Studio Code is not according to our users
  3. Notepad++ icon
     4838 likes

    Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.

    234 Notepad++ alternatives
    Notepad++ screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Code Formatting
    2.  Portable
    3.  Tabbed interface
    4.  Search and Replace
    5.  Text formatting
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Multiple Open Tabs
    8.  Multiple languages
    9.  Color coding
    10.  Support for Javascript
    11.  Built-in themes
    12.  Ad-free
    Notepad++ iconVisual Studio Code Icon

    Notepad++ VS Visual Studio Code

    Is Notepad++ a good alternative to Visual Studio Code?
     
    Comments about Notepad++ as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
     
       
    Comment summary: Notepad++ is praised for being lightweight, simple, and fast, serving well as a text editor. However, users highlight that it is not as extensible or feature-rich as Visual Studio Code, emphasizing that it functions more as a basic text editor rather than a full-fledged IDE with version control system integration and user-friendly extensions. There is a consensus that while Notepad++ is good for simple tasks, it should not be considered a replacement for Visual Studio Code.
    DevGrx

    Lightweight and resource-less code editor.

    Top positive commentMar 21, 2020
    5
    Matt Adamek

    It is not an extensible IDE, it lacks many features of VSC. Great software nevertheless.

    Top negative commentJul 13, 2020
    12
    social-remodeler

    Notepad++ is a good texteditor whereas Visual Studio Code is a fully functional IDE with VCS.

    Positive commentOct 2, 2024
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 12 comments
    Visual Studio Code Icon
    Notepad++ icon
    • Most users think Notepad++ is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • Notepad++ is Free and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
    • Notepad++ is LightweightVisual Studio Code is not according to our users
  4. Kate icon
     289 likes

    Kate is a product of the Kate project, which primarily develops two key products: KatePart and Kate. KatePart is an advanced editor component, utilized in a myriad of KDE applications that require a text editing component. On the other hand, Kate is a MDI text editor application. It is a native application t...

    145 Kate alternatives
    Kate screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Native application
    2.  Syntax Highlighting
    3.  Themes
    4.  Editable text color schemes
    5.  Built-in terminal emulation
    6.  Tabbed interface
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8. Git icon  Git Support
    9.  Code Formatting
    10.  Support for regular expressions
    11.  Spell Checking
    12.  Full-Text Search
    Kate iconVisual Studio Code Icon

    Kate VS Visual Studio Code

    Is Kate a good alternative to Visual Studio Code?
     
    Comments about Kate as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
     
       
    Peter Mello

    Compiled C++ applications are so much more performant than Electron apps like VS Code.

    Positive commentMay 12, 2020
    10
    Zipping

    It's not based on electron.

    Positive commentSep 22, 2022
    2
    social-remodeler

    Kate is an Text editor and VS is a fully functional IDE with VCS.

    Negative commentOct 2, 2024
    -1
    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Visual Studio Code Icon
    Kate icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Kate is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • Kate is Free and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
    • Kate is LightweightVisual Studio Code is not according to our users
  5. Eclipse icon
     1138 likes

    Eclipse is an extensible development platform with runtimes and application frameworks for building, deploying and managing software across the entire software lifecycle. Many people know Eclipse as a Java IDE, but it is much more than that- Eclipse actually consists of over 60...

    162 Eclipse alternatives
    eclipse on windows 10

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Top Eclipse Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Java IDE
    3.  C++
    4.  Refactoring
    5.  Autocompletion
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Portable
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Spell Checking
    11.  Code Formatting
    12.  Batch Editing
    Eclipse iconVisual Studio Code Icon

    Eclipse VS Visual Studio Code

    Is Eclipse a good alternative to Visual Studio Code?
     
    Comments about Eclipse as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
     
    Ola Johansson

    It's a thin line between IDE and editor nowdays, especially with all the extensions to VS Code.

    CommentJun 21, 2021
    3
    Guest

    not a text editor, it is a java ide

    Negative commentJul 6, 2020
    5
    Guest

    Eclipse is an IDE, VS Code is an editor.

    Negative commentFeb 28, 2020
    6
    Visual Studio Code Icon
    Eclipse icon
    • Most users think Eclipse is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • Eclipse is Free and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
  6. Neovim icon
     167 likes

    Neovim is a text editor, code editor, and integrated development environment (IDE) that is often described as 'Vim out of the box.' It is highly regarded in the software community, with numerous positive reviews. Among its top features are its lightweight design, its configurability, and its extensibility th...

    103 Neovim alternatives
    Neovim screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Lua scripting
    3.  Terminal-based
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  Asynchronous
    6.  Vim
    7.  Sane defaults
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Autocompletion
    11.  Code Formatting
    Neovim iconVisual Studio Code Icon

    Neovim VS Visual Studio Code

    Is Neovim a good alternative to Visual Studio Code?
     
  7. GNU Emacs icon
     378 likes

    GNU Emacs, often simply referred to as Emacs, is an extensible and customizable text editor. Its core functionality is powered by an interpreter for Emacs Lisp, a dialect of the Lisp programming language that has been extended to support text editing. This software's key features include extensibility, custo...

    177 GNU Emacs alternatives
    The GNU Emacs Manual calls Emacs the extensible, customizable, self-documenting real-time display editor

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    • Haiku
    • Homebrew
    • Snapcraft
    • Debian
    • MacPorts

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Extensibility
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Org-mode
    4.  Self-documenting
    5.  Terminal-based
    6.  Multi OS
    7.  Syntax Highlighting
    8.  Support for scripting
    9.  Command line interface
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  IDE All Languages
    12.  Works Offline
    GNU Emacs iconVisual Studio Code Icon

    GNU Emacs VS Visual Studio Code

    Is GNU Emacs a good alternative to Visual Studio Code?
     
    Comments about GNU Emacs as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
     
       
    Skalamanga

    @yetanotherqubick I believe the original comment was "Emacs is a great operating system that desperately needs a text editor"

    Top positive commentSep 1, 2024
    0
    yetanotherqubick

    "Emacs is not just a code editor or an IDE, but a whole operating system around plain text."

    Positive commentAug 11, 2024
    0
    Guest

    I like Gnu Emacs as alternative of Visual Studio Code because it's free and it works on OpenBSD and I can do everything I need for my daily work.

    Positive commentMay 12, 2021
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Visual Studio Code Icon
    GNU Emacs icon
    • Almost everyone thinks GNU Emacs is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • GNU Emacs is the most popular Android alternative to Visual Studio Code.

    • GNU Emacs is Free and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
    • GNU Emacs is CustomizableVisual Studio Code is not according to our users
7 of 176 Visual Studio Code alternatives