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 VSCodium, Eclipse, Apache NetBeans and IntelliJ IDEA.

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Most Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives are IDEs, but you can also narrow the list to Code Editors or Compilers. Other popular filters are Linux, Mac, Open Source, Android and iPad. You can also filter for EU-based alternatives if you prefer software from the European Union.
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Alternatives
Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Visual Studio Code icon
     1536 likes

    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.

    256 Visual Studio Code alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2015

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Snapcraft
    • Chocolatey
    Good alternative?
     
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    14
  2. VSCodium icon
     469 likes

    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.

    229 VSCodium alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2018

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Snapcraft
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    Good alternative?
     
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    2
  3. Eclipse icon
     1160 likes

    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...

    153 Eclipse alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
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    4
  4. Apache NetBeans icon
     749 likes

    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...

    99 Apache NetBeans alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
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    6
  5. IntelliJ IDEA icon
     450 likes

    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.

    71 IntelliJ IDEA alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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    1
  6. PyCharm icon
     305 likes

    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.

    60 PyCharm alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2012

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
    |
    1
  7. Devin Desktop icon
     38 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2024

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  8. WebStorm icon
     136 likes

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

    58 WebStorm alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2011

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Code::Blocks icon
     256 likes

    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.

    61 Code::Blocks alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
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    4
  10. Arduino IDE icon
     91 likes

    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.

    32 Arduino IDE alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2011

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Haiku
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • AppImage
    • Chrome OS
    • Snapcraft
    Good alternative?
     
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    1
  11. Qt Creator icon
     111 likes

    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.

    132 Qt Creator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2015

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
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    5
  12. Xcode icon
     165 likes

    Xcode offers the tools you need to develop, test, and distribute apps for Apple platforms, including predictive code completion, generative intelligence powered by the best coding models and agents, advanced profiling and debugging tools, and simulators for Apple devices.

    53 Xcode alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • US flagUnited States
    Xcode screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
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