VS Code Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Visual Studio Code for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac alternative is VSCodium, 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 loads of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Visual Studio Code are Sublime Text, Vim, Kate and Eclipse.

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. VSCodium icon
     353 likes
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    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.

    192 VSCodium alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Electron

    Properties

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

    Features

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

    VSCodium VS 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.
    Top Positive Comment
    Thatstinkyguy
    Jan 3, 2023
    6

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

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

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

    Shaz Shah
    Positive Sep 12, 2024
    1

    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.

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    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. Sublime Text icon
     2021 likes
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    Sublime Text, a popular commercial alternative to Visual Studio Code, is renowned for its speed and lightweight design. While both support plugins and customization, Sublime offers swifter navigation and less resource usage, making it a fast and efficient choice.

    190 Sublime Text alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Clean design
    4.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Package Control
    3.  Syntax Highlighting
    4.  Text editing
    5.  Multiple Cursors
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Simple text editor
    9.  Tabbed interface
    10.  Support for MarkDown
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  No registration required

    Sublime Text VS Visual Studio Code

     
    Comments about Sublime Text as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
    Most Recent Comment
    bobbobly
    Positive May 5, 2021
    0

    Faster and less resource-intensive.

    Guest
    Positive Aug 2, 2020
    1

    Outstanding performance with regard to loading and navigation

    Dark_Samus
    Positive Oct 4, 2020
    0

    light-weight and fast loading time.....

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

    • Sublime Text is Freemium and ProprietaryVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
    • Sublime Text is Lightweight and CustomizableVisual Studio Code is not according to our users
  3. Vim icon
     1320 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
  4. Kate icon
     296 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.

    137 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
  5. Eclipse icon
     1143 likes
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    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...

    147 Eclipse alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    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.  Code Formatting
    10.  Batch Editing
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Spell Checking

    Eclipse VS Visual Studio Code

     
    Comments about Eclipse as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
    Most Recent Comment
    Ola Johansson
    Jun 21, 2021
    4

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

    Guest
    Negative Feb 28, 2020
    7

    Eclipse is an IDE, VS Code is an editor.

    Guest
    Negative Jul 6, 2020
    4

    not a text editor, it is a java ide

    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. IntelliJ IDEA icon
     430 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
  7. Zed Editor icon
     71 likes
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    Zed is a blazing fast, multi-user, productivity-focused text editor. From the creators of Atom, Electron and Tree-sitter, the editor features built-in Vim mode with tooltips for key-bindings, language-aware...

    75 Zed Editor alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Optimal performance
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Syntax Highlighting
    2.  Autocompletion
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Built-in terminal emulation
    5.  Team Collaboration
    6.  Rust
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  No registration required
    9. Git icon  Git Support
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Multiple Cursors

    Zed Editor VS Visual Studio Code

     
    Comments about Zed Editor as an Alternative to Visual Studio Code
    Joseph Leskey
    Positive Mar 17, 2025
    0

    I am very interested in Zed as an alternative to VS Code. Even early releases have robust and ergonomic functionality, a clean look and feel, and wonderful speed. It is developed in Rust, not Electron. I am very interested to see where Zed goes.

    Guest
    Positive Dec 18, 2024
    0

    I like Zed as alternative VSCode.

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

    • Zed Editor is Free and Open SourceVisual Studio Code is Free and Proprietary
    • Zed Editor is LightweightVisual Studio Code is not according to our users
7 of 102 Visual Studio Code alternatives