Developer Tools
Visual Studio Code
Free, extensible code editor from Microsoft.
What it is
Visual Studio Code is a free editor that became the default for a large share of developers. Its power comes from extensions: language servers, debuggers and linters that turn a light editor into whatever environment you need. That extension model is also the catch: a heavily extended install slows down, and quality varies by publisher. Remote development containers and SSH sessions are first-class, which is a large part of why it displaced heavier IDEs.
Visual Studio Code pricing
Visual Studio Code does not publish a plan ladder we could verify. Free.
Prices read from the vendor's own pricing page on 2026-09-08. Vendors change plans without notice — check the source before you budget.
Cheaper alternatives to Visual Studio Code — same category, ordered by verified starting price.
Key features
Extension marketplace
Adds languages, debuggers and linters from a large extension catalogue.
Remote development
Edits code over SSH, in containers or in WSL as if it were local.
Integrated debugging
Runs and steps through code with breakpoints inside the editor.
Strengths and trade-offs
What works well
- Free with no paid tier to upsell you
- Extension for practically every language and tool
- Remote and container development built in
Where it falls short
- Heavy on memory once extensions pile up
- Extension quality is inconsistent
- Telemetry in the Microsoft build concerns some teams
Who it is for
Almost any developer, from first project to large codebase.
Pick it or skip it
Pick Visual Studio Code if
- Anyone who wants a free editor on macOS, Windows and Linux with built-in Git and 80,000+ extensions
- Web and TypeScript developers — the ecosystem and language support are strongest there
- Teams that want the same editor in the browser at vscode.dev
Skip it if
- You need a full IDE with deep refactoring for Java, .NET or C++ out of the box — JetBrains or Visual Studio go further
- You want a fully MIT-licensed binary: the source is MIT, the Microsoft build ships under a proprietary licence with telemetry
- You expect AI features included: Copilot is a separate GitHub product with its own free tier and paid plans
Our verdict
The safe default. If it feels slow, the cause is usually your extensions rather than the editor.
Frequently asked questions
- Is VS Code free?
- Yes. Visual Studio Code is free to download and use on macOS, Windows and Linux, and runs in the browser at vscode.dev. Its source code is open under the MIT licence, while the Microsoft-built product is distributed under a separate proprietary licence. GitHub Copilot is a separate product with its own free tier.
- How much does Visual Studio Code cost?
- Visual Studio Code is free to use. We verified this against the vendor's own page; see "What we checked" below for the date.
- Does Visual Studio Code have a free plan?
- Yes. Visual Studio Code is free to use at its base level.
- Who is Visual Studio Code best for?
- Almost any developer, from first project to large codebase.
- What are the main drawbacks of Visual Studio Code?
- The trade-offs we noted: Heavy on memory once extensions pile up; Extension quality is inconsistent; Telemetry in the Microsoft build concerns some teams.
- When should you not use Visual Studio Code?
- Skip Visual Studio Code if: You need a full IDE with deep refactoring for Java, .NET or C++ out of the box — JetBrains or Visual Studio go further; You want a fully MIT-licensed binary: the source is MIT, the Microsoft build ships under a proprietary licence with telemetry; You expect AI features included: Copilot is a separate GitHub product with its own free tier and paid plans.
What we checked
- Public APIOffers a documented API you can build against.Yes
- Mobile appHas a native app for iOS or Android, not just a mobile website.No
- Open source / self-hostableSource is open and the tool can be run on your own infrastructure.Yes
- SSO (SAML)Supports SAML single sign-on on at least one plan.No
“Not checked” means exactly that — we have not verified it, and we do not guess.
Evidence and freshness
Status: Open source, free — vendor page verifiedReviewed: 2026-09-08
- Visual Studio Code — Home ↗
Checked 2026-09-08 · Supports: free to download and use, source open under MIT; product ships under a separate licence and privacy statement, macOS, Windows, Linux (.deb/.rpm) and vscode.dev in the browser, built-in Git; 80,000+ extensions in the Marketplace
Limit: Vendor pricing page was reviewed by an editor on this date; this record is not a ToolCompare benchmark. Prices and limits change.
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