Microsoft Visual Studio AlternativesOnly apps categorised as IDEs

The best IDE alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio is Visual Studio Code, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio and loads of them are IDEs so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting IDE alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio are Eclipse, VSCodium, Code::Blocks and Apache NetBeans.

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Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives are mainly IDEs but may also be Code Editors or Text Editors. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Microsoft Visual Studio.
Microsoft Visual Studio iconMicrosoft Visual Studio
  938
  • IDE
  • Free Personal • Proprietary
  • ...

Microsoft Visual Studio is an IDE used to create programs, apps, websites, and web services using various frameworks. It supports multiple languages and offers tools for coding, debugging, and design.

More about Microsoft Visual Studio
More about Microsoft Visual Studio
Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives page was last updated Feb 27, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Visual Studio Code icon

    Visual Studio Code

     1314 likes
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    Free and extensible code editor with built-in Git support, smart IntelliSense, integrated debugger, 30,000+ extensions, works offline, supports markdown and syntax highlighting for numerous languages.

    205 Visual Studio Code alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    Visual Studio Code screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Autocompletion
    3.  Built-in terminal emulation
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  Code Completion
    6.  Multiple languages
    7. Git icon  Git Support
    8. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Supports Python
    11.  Multiple Cursors
    12.  C++

    Visual Studio Code VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about Visual Studio Code as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Comment summary: There is a consensus that Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is primarily a code editor rather than a full-fledged IDE like Microsoft Visual Studio. While it is lighter and more nimble, several users point out that it lacks certain capabilities of an IDE. However, others highlight its strengths, like being open-source and offering numerous extensions, making it versatile for smaller projects. Despite disagreements, some appreciate its plugin system which can expand its functionality significantly.
    Top Positive Comment
    Ola Johansson
    May 29, 2019
    8

    It's maybe not as capable as the real VS. But it's still a great environment and with a couple of extensions it can do a lot of things VS can.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Jul 2, 2018
    27

    Visual Studio Code is a text editor based on electron.js just like Atom.

    Most Recent Comment
    alfonsomozkoh
    Negative •Aug 5, 2020
    0

    Visual studio Code is not a IDE (Integrated Development Environment), it's a text and code editor. So it's more an alternative to Sublime text or Atom.

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    3 of 12 comments
    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    Visual Studio Code icon

    • Some users think Visual Studio Code is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative, some don't.

    • Visual Studio Code is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio.

    • Visual Studio Code is the most popular free alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio.

    • Visual Studio Code is Free and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Visual Studio Code is CustomizableMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
  2. Eclipse icon

    Eclipse

     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...

    154 Eclipse alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    eclipse on windows 10

    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 Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about Eclipse as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Most Recent Comment
    maurosoft391
    Negative •Aug 19, 2022
    2

    hard to use and poorly designed

    Guest
    Positive •Dec 1, 2018
    8

    Eclipse supports multiple languages, looks good too

    Guest
    Negative •Jul 29, 2016
    -38

    One is for Java and the other is for C#

    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    Eclipse icon

    • Most users think Eclipse is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • Eclipse is the most popular Open Source alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio.

    • Eclipse is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
  4. VSCodium icon

    VSCodium

     345 likes
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    This repository contains a build file to generate FLOSS release binaries of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code - Open Source ("Code - OSS") project, the open source core of the proprietary Visual Studio Code.

    195 VSCodium alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    VSCodium screenshot 1

    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.  MIT License
    8.  Dark Mode
    9. Git icon  Git integration
    10.  Syntax Highlighting
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Minimap

    VSCodium VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about VSCodium as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Positive •Nov 22, 2020
    3

    its the same but without the useless features that cause more harm than good

    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    VSCodium icon

    • Most users think VSCodium is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • VSCodium is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • VSCodium is Customizable and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
  5. Code::Blocks icon

    Code::Blocks

     253 likes
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    Code::Blocks is a free C++ IDE built to meet the most demanding needs of its users. It is designed to be very extensible and fully configurable.

    59 Code::Blocks alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Code::Blocks screenshot 1

    Code::Blocks Features

    1.  C++
    2.  C support
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    5.  Portable
    6.  Support for scripting
    7.  Leadfeeder integration

    Code::Blocks VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about Code::Blocks as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Most Recent Comment
    maurosoft391
    Negative •Aug 19, 2022
    0

    windows forms are missing and it's poorly designed

    Guest
    Negative •Sep 7, 2020
    0

    Code::Blocks has 0.1% of the functionality of VS. It looks ugly as well.

    gnusensei
    Positive •Feb 5, 2022
    0

    Faster, smaller, and able to make graphical desktop applications by adding GUI designer plugin wxSmith for C++ language and wxWidgets framework. Also, CodeBlocks is cross platform.

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    3 of 4 comments
    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    Code::Blocks icon

    • Most users think Code::Blocks is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • Code::Blocks is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
  6. Apache NetBeans icon

    Apache NetBeans

     739 likes
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    A free, open-source Integrated Development Environment for software developers. You get all the tools you need to create professional desktop, enterprise, web, and mobile applications with the Java language, C/C++, and even dynamic languages such as PHP, JavaScript, Groovy, and...

    103 Apache NetBeans alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Editor

    Top Apache NetBeans Features

    1.  Java IDE
    2.  Refactoring
    3.  Code Formatting
    4. Git icon  Git Support
    5.  Embedded debugger
    6.  Built-in terminal emulation
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  Simple installation
    10.  Code Completion
    11.  PHP IDE
    12.  Multiple languages

    Apache NetBeans VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about Apache NetBeans as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Top Positive Comment
    brandomettout
    Jun 3, 2017
    1

    Free and Open Source Software. Changing leadership from Oracle to Apache Foundation.

    Top Negative Comment
    Kris Regina
    Feb 27, 2025
    0

    It's not for dotNET languages.

    Most Recent Comment
    gnusensei
    Positive •Feb 5, 2022
    0

    Netbeans includes built-in GUI designer with drag and drop ability to create desktop applications and they can run on Windows as well as GNU/Linux and macOS.

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    3 of 5 comments
    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    Apache NetBeans icon

    • Most users think Apache NetBeans is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • Apache NetBeans is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
  7. Qt Creator icon

    Qt Creator

     108 likes
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    Qt Creator is a cross-platform integrated development environment (IDE) built for the maximum developer experience. Qt Creator runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS desktop operating systems and allows developers to create software across desktop, mobile, and embedded platforms.

    130 Qt Creator alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • FI flagFinland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Qt Creator screenshot 1

    Qt Creator Features

    1.  Autocompletion
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Syntax Highlighting
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Code Formatting
    6.  C++
    7.  QT Based
    8.  Visual studio intergration
    9.  Debugging
    10.  Refactoring

    Qt Creator VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about Qt Creator as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Jan 22, 2017
    3

    Found everything in Qt Creator for Linux that is in VS for Windows.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive •Feb 5, 2020
    1

    It has A lot of really use full tools and you can install many extensions and even support for other programming languages then python,c++ etc

    ichimitch
    Negative •Mar 31, 2019
    -5

    Does not support C# as they believe "it is not widely used enough" pfft

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    3 of 5 comments
    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    Qt Creator icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Qt Creator is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • Qt Creator is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio.

    • Qt Creator is Paid and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
  9. JetBrains Rider icon

    JetBrains Rider

     32 likes
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    JetBrains Rider is a powerful integrated development environment (IDE) designed specifically for developing .NET applications. With its intuitive and feature-rich interface, Rider provides developers with a seamless coding experience across multiple platforms, including Windows...

    15 JetBrains Rider alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    JetBrains Rider screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  C#
    2.  Syntax Highlighting
    3.  NET Support
    4.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Automatic content formatting

    JetBrains Rider VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about JetBrains Rider as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Most Recent Comment
    Ola Johansson
    Positive •May 1, 2023
    0

    The most similar to VS. Actually better at many things, and real cross-platform.

    Guest
    Positive •Nov 8, 2019
    3

    Rider is Resharper... but as a standalone IDE. It is a full blown IDE voor C# and .NET, complete with extensive code completion, peek (decompile) and refactoring

    Guest
    Positive •Feb 11, 2020
    0

    Though Rider costs money it has been a great development tool for my team.

    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    JetBrains Rider icon

    • Almost everyone thinks JetBrains Rider is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • JetBrains Rider is Free Personal and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visual Studio is also Free Personal and Proprietary
7 of 71 Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives