Microsoft Visual Studio Alternatives for Linux

Microsoft Visual Studio is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative 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 available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio are Eclipse, VSCodium, MonoDevelop and Code::Blocks.

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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 24, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. RStudio icon

    RStudio

     130 likes
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    RStudio™ is an integrated development environment (IDE) for R. RStudio combines an intuitive user interface with powerful coding tools to help you get the most out of R.

    56 RStudio alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Xfce
    RStudio on Windows

    RStudio Features

    1.  Syntax Highlighting
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Code Completion
    4.  Data science
    5.  Session Management
    6.  Embedded debugger

    RStudio VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
  2. KDevelop icon

    KDevelop

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

    53 KDevelop alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Main window

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Dark Mode
    3. KDE Plasma icon  KDE Plasma integration
    4.  C support
    5.  C++

    KDevelop VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about KDevelop as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Positive •May 27, 2020
    1

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

    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
  4. Phoenix Code icon

    Phoenix Code

     7 likes
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    Phoenix Code is a text editor designed to make coding as intuitive and fun as playing a video game - specially crafted for web developers, designers, and students.

    29 Phoenix Code alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Phoenix Code screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Distraction-free
    4.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Live Preview
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  No registration required
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  No Coding Required
    10.  Dark Mode

    Phoenix Code VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     

    • Phoenix Code is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio.

    • Phoenix Code is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Phoenix Code is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
  5. Arduino IDE icon

    Arduino IDE

     75 likes
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    Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

    26 Arduino IDE alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Arduino IDE screenshot 1

    Arduino IDE Features

    1.  Arduino

    Arduino IDE VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about Arduino IDE as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Negative •May 29, 2022
    1

    Arduino IDE is intended towards electronics prototyping. Whereas MSVS is for software development in general.

    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    Arduino IDE icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Arduino IDE is a legitimate Microsoft Visual Studio alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Arduino IDE is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
  6. CodeLite icon

    CodeLite

     64 likes
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    CodeLite is an open-source, cross platform IDE for the C/C++/PHP and Node.js programming languages. CodeLite is known to work on various OSs including:

    50 CodeLite alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • wxWidgets
    CodeLite screenshot 1

    CodeLite Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  C++
    4.  Virtual filesystem

    CodeLite VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
    Comments about CodeLite as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Positive •Nov 13, 2015
    0

    Excellent development environment, continuously updated, clear vision, active support.

    rgk_rgk_01rgk
    Positive •Sep 18, 2015
    0

    For me and my enterprise is the best alternative, intellisense very good, dynamic library linkage is very similar to VS, automatically creates a makefile. Very good class wizards! Debug and subversion / GIT and SFTP inegrated in the environment.

    Microsoft Visual Studio Icon
    CodeLite icon

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

    • CodeLite is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
  7. GNOME Builder icon

    GNOME Builder

     20 likes
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    Builder is an actively developed Integrated Development Environment for GNOME. It combines integrated support for essential GNOME technologies such as GTK+, GLib, and GNOME APIs with features that any developer will appreciate, like syntax highlighting and snippets.

    64 GNOME Builder alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • GNOME
    • Flatpak
    GNOME Builder screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Syntax Highlighting
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Autocompletion
    5.  Built-in terminal emulation
    6.  Split-screen view
    7.  Collaborative writing
    8.  Automatic Indentation
    9.  Vim Key Mapping
    10. Git icon  Git integration
    11.  C++
    12.  Rust

    GNOME Builder VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
  9. Windsurf Editor icon

    Windsurf Editor

     1 like
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    Windsurf Editor is an IDE merging AI and developers for lockstep collaboration with Cascade capabilities, boosting speed and contextual coding through copilot and agent-like systems across Mac, Windows, and Linux.

    20 Windsurf Editor alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Windsurf Editor screenshot 1

    Windsurf Editor Features

    1.  AI-Powered
    2.  Context-aware help

    Windsurf Editor VS Microsoft Visual Studio

     
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