Microsoft Visual Studio AlternativesOnly apps from the EU

The best alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio is Qt Creator. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try PyCharm or IntelliJ IDEA. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio and many of them are so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio are JetBrains Rider, CLion, WebStorm and KDevelop.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives are mainly IDEs, but if you're looking for Code Editors or Text Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Linux, Open Source, Mac, Android Tablet, iPad and Free. 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 Microsoft Visual Studio.
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Alternatives list

  1. Qt Creator icon

    Qt Creator

     112 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.

    129 Qt Creator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Qt Creator screenshot 1
     
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    5
    40
    Comments about Qt Creator as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    3

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ichimitch
    Negative
    -5

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

    Show more comments
    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
  2. PyCharm icon

    PyCharm

     296 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

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    PyCharm screenshot 1
     
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    1
    12
    Comments about PyCharm as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It supports proper Python.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    PyCharm icon

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

    • PyCharm is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • PyCharm is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
  4. IntelliJ IDEA icon

    IntelliJ IDEA

     439 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.

    58 IntelliJ IDEA alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    IntelliJ IDEA interface overview: the Project tool window (left) outlines the code structure and the Editor (right) is used to read, write, and explore the source code.
     
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    1
    15
    Comments about IntelliJ IDEA as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Negative
    10

    This is only designed for Java not .net.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    IntelliJ IDEA icon

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

    • IntelliJ IDEA is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • IntelliJ IDEA is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
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  6. JetBrains Rider icon

    JetBrains Rider

     34 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...

    13 JetBrains Rider alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    JetBrains Rider screenshot 1
     
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    3
    25
    Comments about JetBrains Rider as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Ola Johansson
    Positive
    0

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

    Guest
    Positive
    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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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. CLion icon

    CLion

     55 likes
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    The intelligent cross-platform C/C++ IDE. CLion is a new IDE that helps you be more productive while developing apps with C and C++ for Windows, Linux and OS X. Take advantage of proven JetBrains expertise in code quality, efficient code navigation, smart code completion...

    17 CLion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
     
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    3
    17
    Comments about CLion as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Greenskid
    Positive
    1

    Its cross platform and bring the benefits of the JetBrains IDE platform which is well polished and powerful.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    For its young age it is well matured and a very powerful IDE with great CMake Support and other goodies like great refactoring tools and a sophisticated code-completion system.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Is actually designed for the same use cases as Visual Studio, while improving on VS's code completion, plugin support, and build and deployment features.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    CLion icon

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

    • CLion is Free Personal and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visual Studio is also Free Personal and Proprietary
    • CLion is CustomizableMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
  8. WebStorm icon

    WebStorm

     133 likes
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    JetBrains WebStorm is a commercial IDE for JavaScript, CSS & HTML built on JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA platform.

    54 WebStorm alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    WebStorm screenshot 1
     
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    8
  10. KDevelop icon

    KDevelop

     81 likes
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    A cross-platform IDE for C, C++, Python, QML/JavaScript and PHP.

    51 KDevelop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Main window
     
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    1
    6
    Comments about KDevelop as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Its easy to use but syntax highlighting might be weird sometimes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    KDevelop icon

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

    • KDevelop is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • KDevelop is LightweightMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
  11. Notepad.exe icon

    Notepad.exe

     5 likes
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    Lightweight macOS code editor. Skip the setup, write code, run instantly. Built-in iOS simulator, AI assistance, and Linux support.

    51 Notepad.exe alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Notepad.exe screenshot 1
     
  12. WeBuilder icon

    WeBuilder

     21 likes
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    This all-inclusive code editor is tailored for web developers, boasting fast startup and extensive features. It supports a wide range of languages including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, and offers intelligent code completion, advanced navigation, and direct FTP/SFTP/FTPS server editing.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    WeBuilder screenshot 1
     
  13. RubyMine icon

    RubyMine

     38 likes
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    Comprehensive IDE specialized for Ruby and Rails, offering smart code completion, advanced navigation, error analysis, refactoring tools, integrated debugging, test frameworks, and web development support alongside extensive VCS integration and plugin extensibility.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Rails project view
     
  14. CodeTyphon icon

    CodeTyphon

     19 likes
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    CodeTyphon is a fork/distribution of Lazarus with thousands of Lazarus/Free Pascal components bundled into distribution and with own Lazarus expansion features.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    CodeTyphon running on Windows 10
     

  15. OmniSharp

     1 like
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    OmniSharp is a family of Open Source projects, each with one goal - To enable great .NET development in YOUR editor of choice.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Developing using Sublime
     
12 of 21 Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives