Neovim
Development
A modern, extensible fork of Vim.
Open Source
Available for Windows, macOS, Linux
Visual Studio Code
Lightweight, extensible code editor for almost any language.
Official source: code.visualstudio.comLast verified: awaiting review · How we check softwareDeveloper: Microsoft
What is Visual Studio Code?
Visual Studio Code is a free source-code editor from Microsoft for Windows, macOS and Linux. It's lightweight enough for quick edits, but extensions turn it into a full development environment for almost any language.
It includes smart code completion, debugging, a built-in terminal and Git integration. Remote Development extensions let you work on code over SSH, inside containers or in WSL on Windows. VS Code is built on the open-source Code – OSS project.
Key features
- IntelliSense and debugging
- Built-in Git
- Remote development over SSH and containers
Who should use Visual Studio Code?
- DeveloperA lightweight editor with extensions for almost every language, plus built-in Git and debugging.Build a setup for this
- Web DeveloperBuild a setup for this
- StudentFree and beginner-friendly, and used in many programming courses.Build a setup for this
- IT professionalEdit scripts and configuration on remote servers over SSH.Build a setup for this
- DevOpsBuild a setup for this
Supported platforms
Pricing & licence
Free Free
Free to use. The source code isn't public.
Prices change, so check code.visualstudio.com for current pricing.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Huge extension ecosystem
- Free and fast
Cons
- Includes Microsoft telemetry by default
Installation
Windows
Windows · Winget
PS> winget install --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode --exact --source wingetInstall Visual Studio Code with the rest of your Windows setup
macOS
Mac · Homebrew
$ brew install --cask visual-studio-codeInstall Visual Studio Code with the rest of your macOS setup
Linux
Linux · Flatpak (any distribution)
$ flatpak install flathub com.visualstudio.codeInstall Visual Studio Code with the rest of your Linux setup
Package names were checked against each official package registry, and commands install the same software as the official download. Only run commands you understand.
Alternatives to Visual Studio Code
Notepad++Fast text and code editor with syntax highlighting.View Alternative
Related guides
Best software for developers
The core toolkit for writing, testing and shipping code.
6 min read
Essential software for a new Windows 11 PC
The apps to install first on a new Windows 11 computer, and the order to do it in.
8 min read • Windows
Best free Windows software
High-quality free and open-source Windows apps that replace paid software.
7 min read • Windows
Essential apps for a new Mac
Small, trusted apps that fill the gaps in macOS.
6 min read • macOS
Related software
Vim
Development
A powerful, keyboard-driven text editor.
Open Source
Available for Windows, macOS, Linux
Visual Studio Community
Development
Microsoft's full IDE, free for individuals and small teams.
Free
Available for Windows
Windows Terminal
Development
Modern terminal with tabs for PowerShell, Command Prompt and WSL.
Open Source
Available for Windows
Visual Studio Code FAQ
Is Visual Studio Code the same as Visual Studio?
No. VS Code is a lightweight, cross-platform editor. Visual Studio is Microsoft's separate, larger IDE for Windows, aimed mainly at .NET and C++ development.
Is VS Code open source?
Its source code, called Code – OSS, is open source under the MIT licence. Microsoft's own VS Code download adds Microsoft branding and is released under a Microsoft licence.
Is Visual Studio Code free?
Free.
Which platforms does Visual Studio Code support?
Visual Studio Code is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. It isn't available for Android and iPhone & iPad.
Can I install Visual Studio Code with Winget?
Yes. Run "winget install --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode --exact --source winget" in PowerShell or Windows Terminal. The package ID was checked against Microsoft's official Winget repository.
Can I install Visual Studio Code with Homebrew?
Yes. Run "brew install --cask visual-studio-code" in Terminal.
What are the alternatives to Visual Studio Code?
Common alternatives include Notepad++. See the full list of Visual Studio Code alternatives for how they differ.
Where can I download Visual Studio Code safely?
From the official website, code.visualstudio.com. Aptorise links only to official sources and never hosts installers.