JetBrains Rider alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave JetBrains Rider: commercial use requires a subscription, and fewer visual designers than Visual Studio for Windows desktop apps. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces JetBrains Rider, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Visual Studio Code currently ranks first.
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Show all 4 alternativesThe best JetBrains Rider alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best JetBrains Rider alternative for most people
Visual Studio CodeFree and light, with the C# Dev Kit for .NET work on any OS.
Best JetBrains Rider alternative for a free option
Visual Studio CodeFree and light, with the C# Dev Kit for .NET work on any OS.
Best JetBrains Rider alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
Visual StudioMicrosoft's own .NET IDE, with a free Community edition and the deepest Windows tooling.
Best JetBrains Rider alternative for open source
Visual Studio CodeFree and light, with the C# Dev Kit for .NET work on any OS.
Best JetBrains Rider alternative for Mac
CursorAI-first VS Code fork for .NET developers who want agents to do more of the work.
Best JetBrains Rider alternative for Windows
CLionJetBrains' C and C++ IDE, for engine work outside Unreal projects.
Best JetBrains Rider alternative for Linux
Visual Studio CodeFree and light, with the C# Dev Kit for .NET work on any OS.
Best JetBrains Rider alternative for working in the browser
Visual Studio CodeFree and light, with the C# Dev Kit for .NET work on any OS.
JetBrains Rider alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to JetBrains Rider?
Visual Studio Code ranks first right now. Free and light, with the C# Dev Kit for .NET work on any OS. Visual Studio and Cursor follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to JetBrains Rider?
Yes. Visual Studio Code (free), Visual Studio (free plan + paid), Cursor (free plan + paid) and CLion (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to JetBrains Rider?
Yes: Visual Studio Code.
Which JetBrains Rider alternatives work on Linux?
Visual Studio Code, Cursor and CLion run on Linux.
Why do people switch from JetBrains Rider?
The complaints we hear most: commercial use requires a subscription; fewer visual designers than Visual Studio for Windows desktop apps; heavy memory use on big solutions.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces JetBrains Rider, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.