VS Code AlternativesOnly apps from the EU

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

filter to find the best alternatives

Visual Studio Code alternatives are mainly Code Editors, but if you're looking for Text Editors or IDEs you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Visual Studio Code.
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Free, extensible code editor with Git integration, AI-driven IntelliCode, and 30,000+ extensions, supporting various languages like Python, Java.

More about Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code alternatives page was last updated Jun 16, 2025
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  1. Vim icon
     1325 likes
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    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 supports a wide range of operating systems such as Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, Haiku, AmigaOS, OpenSolaris, and MorphOS. Vim is recognized as an open-source software and is available for free.

    In comparison to Visual Studio Code, Vim presents itself as a viable alternative. Both being Text Editor & Code Editors, they share some similar features such as customizability. However, Vim stands out with its lightweight design and keyboard-focused operation. Vim has received positive comments as an alternative to Visual Studio Code, with users noting it as 'the lightest alternative with the most features', praising its readiness to work as soon as it is opened, and its massive amount of extendable, open-source plugins.

    205 Vim alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Keyboard focused
    3.  Customizable
    4.  Configurable

    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 VS Visual Studio Code

     
    Comments about Vim as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
    Top Positive Comment
    alelondon
    Dec 22, 2022
    0

    the lightest alternative with the most features

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Jun 9, 2023
    0

    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

    Most Recent Comment
    Amara
    Dec 14, 2024
    2

    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.

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    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
  2. Notepad++ icon
     4880 likes
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    Notepad++ is a free, open-source code editor supporting several languages, offering features like syntax highlighting, plugin support, dark mode, portability, privacy, and efficient resource usage, making it highly customizable and suitable for various programming needs.

    239 Notepad++ alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    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.  Auto-saving

    Notepad++ VS 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.
    Top Positive Comment
    DevGrx
    Mar 21, 2020
    6

    Lightweight and resource-less code editor.

    Top Negative Comment
    Matt Adamek
    Jul 13, 2020
    11

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

    Most Recent Comment
    social-remodeler
    Positive Oct 2, 2024
    1

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

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    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
  3. Kate icon
     301 likes
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    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 that comes with a variety of themes and supports syntax highlighting. Kate has been well-received by users and has garnered numerous positive reviews. It is compatible with multiple platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and KDE.

    As a popular open source and free alternative to Visual Studio Code, Kate offers certain advantages. Unlike Visual Studio Code which is an Electron app, Kate is a compiled C++ application, which results in a more performant operation. This difference is often noted by users who prefer Kate over Visual Studio Code. Additionally, users have pointed out that while Kate may not be suitable for larger projects as of yet, it is an excellent choice for smaller ones due to its syntax highlighting and other features. It's important to note that while both Kate and Visual Studio Code serve as Text Editor, Code Editor & IDE, Visual Studio Code is known for its extensibility through plugins/extensions, customization options, and autocompletion feature.

    136 Kate alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

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

    Kate VS Visual Studio Code

     
    Comments about Kate as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
    Most Recent Comment
    Peter Mello
    Positive May 12, 2020
    10

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

    Zipping
    Positive Sep 22, 2022
    3

    It's not based on electron.

    Guest
    Positive Jan 25, 2023
    1

    Kwrite is nice too. Use it mainly, has syntax hightligting and other features. Wouldnt use it for big projects just yet though.

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    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
  4. IntelliJ IDEA icon
     432 likes
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    IntelliJ IDEA is the JetBrains IDE for pro development in Java and Kotlin. Built for your comfort, it unlocks productivity, ensures quality code, supports cutting-edge tech, and protects your privacy.

    55 IntelliJ IDEA alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Code Completion
    2.  Java IDE
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  Real time collaboration
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Autocompletion
    9.  Spell Checking
    10.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    11.  No registration required
    12.  WYSIWYG Support

    IntelliJ IDEA VS Visual Studio Code

     
    Comments about IntelliJ IDEA as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
    Ranogard
    Positive Jul 26, 2020
    0

    VS Code is much more than a text editor. Comparing it with IntelliJ IDEA is totally fine. There are plugins for various programming languages available, like python. Both can work interchangeably.

    Jo
    Negative Jan 24, 2019
    11

    IntelliJ IDEA, by it's own definition, is a Java IDE. Visual Studio Code is a text editor.

    Visual Studio Code Icon
    IntelliJ IDEA icon
    • Most users think IntelliJ IDEA is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • IntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
  5. Geany icon
     569 likes
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    Geany is a powerful, stable and lightweight programmer's text editor that provides tons of useful features without bogging down your workflow.

    146 Geany alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Minimalistic
    4.  Customizable
    5.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Multiplatform
    2.  Syntax Highlighting
    3.  Code navigation
    4.  Automatic Indentation
    5.  Shell integration
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Ad-free
    8. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    9.  Hierarchical Structure
    10.  Live Preview
    11.  Debian package compatible
    12.  Shortcut keys

    Geany VS Visual Studio Code

     
  6. PyCharm icon
     290 likes
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    Cross-platform IDE for Python and Django with refactoring capabilities, code completion, VCS integration, deployment, issue tracking, remote debugging, and Community Edition, though lacking database support and web technologies.

    56 PyCharm alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

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

    Features

    1.  Code Completion
    2.  Python IDE
    3.  Refactoring
    4.  Code Formatting
    5.  Embedded debugger
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  No registration required
    10. Git icon  Git Support
    11.  File Versioning
    12. Git icon  Git integration

    PyCharm VS Visual Studio Code

     
    Comments about PyCharm as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
    Guest
    Negative Jun 27, 2019
    4

    A good IDE but it's not a text editor

    matti631
    Positive May 5, 2025
    0

    It's a great tool and much less invasive then microsoft products

    Visual Studio Code Icon
    PyCharm icon
    • Most users think PyCharm is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • PyCharm is Freemium and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
    • PyCharm is Privacy focused and LightweightVisual Studio Code is not according to our users
  7. WebStorm icon
     132 likes
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    JetBrains WebStorm is a commercial IDE for JavaScript, CSS & HTML built on JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA platform.

    54 WebStorm alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalProprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    WebStorm Features

    1.  Syntax Highlighting
    2.  Support for Javascript
    3.  Secure File Sharing

    WebStorm VS Visual Studio Code

     
    Comments about WebStorm as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
    Kristopher Kalish
    Positive Jan 4, 2019
    0

    WebStorm at the time of writing has slightly better integration with JS build tools and TypeScript. If you're doing primarily frontend work, WebStorm is probably still the best choice. However, VsCode is a bit more flexible if you move out of that area.

    Guest
    Positive Jul 25, 2020
    0

    easily the most professional one and things work properly not dependent on outside programmers

    Visual Studio Code Icon
    WebStorm icon
    • Almost everyone thinks WebStorm is a great Visual Studio Code alternative.

    • WebStorm is Free Personal and ProprietaryVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
7 of 41 Visual Studio Code alternatives