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Visual Studio Code alternatives: 12 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Visual Studio Code: microsoft builds include telemetry, and heavy extension use can slow it down. We ranked 12 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Visual Studio Code, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Zed currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Zed logoZedOpen sourceYesmacOS, Linux, Windows2 of 365.3
2Sublime Text logoSublime TextPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 361.8
3Windsurf logoWindsurfFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux2 of 355.9
4Cursor logoCursorFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux0 of 354.3
5IntelliJ IDEA logoIntelliJ IDEAFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 440.0
6Google Antigravity logoGoogle AntigravityFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 440.0
7Kiro logoKiroFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 540.0
8Eclipse Theia logoEclipse TheiaOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 440.0
9VSCodium logoVSCodiumOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 440.0
10Neovim logoNeovimOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 440.0
11GitHub Copilot logoGitHub CopilotFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +14 of 438.6
12Cline logoClineOpen sourceYesmacOS, Windows, Linux4 of 438.6
  1. Zed logo

    1. ZedTop pick

    Best for: Developers who want a very fast native editor

    Open sourcemacOS, Linux, Windows

    65.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    Much faster native editor with built-in collaboration, open source.

    Pros

    • Extremely fast and responsive
    • Open source
    • Built-in multiplayer editing

    Cons

    • Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
    • Some language tooling still maturing
    Visit Zed Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zed a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Not checked yetgithub.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Written in
    Rust
    Checked Oct 24, 2026zed.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Collaboration
    Built in, with humans and AI
    Checked Oct 24, 2026zed.dev(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Sublime Text logo

    2. Sublime Text

    Best for: Developers who want a fast editor without a subscription

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    Lightweight and very fast, with a one-time license.

    Pros

    • Very fast, even with huge files
    • Excellent multi-cursor editing
    • One-time license

    Cons

    • Fewer built-in IDE features
    • Smaller modern AI integration
    Visit Sublime Text Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Sublime Text a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Pricing model
    Paid license, free evaluation
    Checked Oct 24, 2026sublimehq.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 24, 2026sublimetext.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Multiple cursors
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026sublimetext.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Windsurf logo

    3. WindsurfAcquired

    Best for: Developers who want an agent-centric AI editor

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    VS Code-style editor centered on an AI agent.

    Pros

    • Capable Cascade agent
    • Familiar VS Code-style interface
    • Free plan available

    Cons

    • Product direction changing after acquisition
    • Credit-based limits
    Visit Windsurf Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Windsurf a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026windsurf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Current name
    Devin Desktop
    Checked Oct 24, 2026windsurf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Not checked yetwindsurf.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Cursor logo

    4. Cursor

    Best for: Developers who want deep AI help across a whole codebase

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    54.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    Same VS Code foundation with deeper AI agent features.

    Pros

    • Familiar VS Code foundation
    • Strong codebase-aware agent
    • Choice of AI models

    Cons

    • Heavy AI use requires paid plans
    • Usage limits can change
    Visit Cursor Compare with Visual Studio CodeDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1530
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Cursor a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    0 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes (Hobby)
    Not checked yetcursor.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    VS Code fork
    Not checked yetcursor.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Not checked yetcursor.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. IntelliJ IDEA logo

    5. IntelliJ IDEA

    Best for: Java and Kotlin developers working on large or framework-heavy codebases

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    Deeper refactoring and built-in tooling for Java and Kotlin projects.

    Pros

    • Best-in-class Java and Kotlin refactoring and inspections
    • Spring, build tools, debugger and profiler built in
    • Free core with a 30-day trial of Ultimate

    Cons

    • Heavy on memory and slow to index big projects
    • Advanced framework and database features need a subscription
    • Busy interface with a steep learning curve
    Visit IntelliJ IDEA Compare with Visual Studio CodeDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is IntelliJ IDEA a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free tier
    Yes, with 30 days of Ultimate
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Main languages
    Java and Kotlin
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Built-in tools
    Databases, API testing, profiler
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Spring support
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jetbrains.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Google Antigravity logo

    6. Google Antigravity

    Best for: Developers who want to delegate whole tasks to Gemini-powered agents for free

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    Agent-first IDE from Google, free for individuals.

    Pros

    • Free individual plan with unlimited tab completions
    • Agents verify work in a browser and show reviewable artifacts
    • IDE, CLI, app and SDK share one agent setup

    Cons

    • Centred on Google's models and accounts
    • Free plan agent use is rate-limited
    • Fast-changing product with frequent reshuffles
    Visit Google Antigravity Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Antigravity a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Individual plan
    $0/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026antigravity.google(opens source in a new tab)
    Tab completions
    Unlimited on free plan
    Checked Oct 25, 2026antigravity.google(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026antigravity.google(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise
    Via Gemini Enterprise, from $30/seat/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026antigravity.google(opens source in a new tab)
  7. Kiro logo

    7. Kiro

    Best for: Teams who want AI agents to plan from written specs before changing code

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    AWS's agentic editor on Code OSS, with spec-driven AI development.

    Pros

    • Specs give a reviewable plan before code changes
    • Hooks and steering files for repeatable team rules
    • Accepts VS Code settings and Open VSX extensions

    Cons

    • Free plan has only a small credit allowance
    • Spec workflow is overkill for quick edits
    • Requires signing in to AWS-run services
    Visit Kiro Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Kiro a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    $0/month, 50 credits
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    $20 per user/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Spec-driven development
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    VS Code compatibility
    Open VSX extensions and VS Code settings
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
  8. Eclipse Theia logo

    8. Eclipse Theia

    Best for: Teams building custom IDEs and developers who want an open, telemetry-free VS Code-style editor

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Web, Self-hosted

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    An open, vendor-neutral IDE that runs VS Code extensions without telemetry.

    Pros

    • Open source and vendor-neutral under the Eclipse Foundation
    • Runs VS Code extensions from Open VSX
    • AI with any model, no telemetry on code or prompts

    Cons

    • Some VS Code extensions don't work fully
    • Smaller user community than VS Code
    • Less polished as a day-to-day editor
    Visit Eclipse Theia Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Eclipse Theia a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License (platform)
    EPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Telemetry
    None on code, prompts or AI usage
    Checked Oct 25, 2026theia-ide.org(opens source in a new tab)
    AI models
    Any: cloud, self-hosted or local
    Checked Oct 25, 2026theia-ide.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Extensions
    3,000+ on Open VSX
    Checked Oct 25, 2026theia-ide.org(opens source in a new tab)
  9. VSCodium logo

    9. VSCodium

    Best for: VS Code users who want the same editor without Microsoft telemetry or licence terms

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    The same editor built from the open-source code, with telemetry off and an MIT licence.

    Pros

    • Same editor experience as VS Code
    • Telemetry disabled and MIT-licensed binaries
    • Widely packaged on all major platforms

    Cons

    • Uses Open VSX, so some extensions are missing
    • Microsoft-only extensions like Remote SSH and Live Share don't work
    • Updates arrive slightly after VS Code releases
    Visit VSCodium Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is VSCodium a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Telemetry
    Disabled
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vscodium.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vscodium.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    Microsoft's vscode source
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vscodium.com(opens source in a new tab)
  10. Neovim logo

    10. Neovim

    Best for: Keyboard-driven developers who want a fast, fully customisable terminal editor

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    A fast terminal editor for keyboard-driven work, with built-in LSP.

    Pros

    • Very fast and works anywhere, including over SSH
    • Lua plugins, built-in LSP and Tree-sitter
    • Compatible with Vim's editing model and most Vimscript

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for modal editing
    • A good setup needs ongoing config maintenance
    • Plugin updates can break configurations
    Visit Neovim Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Neovim a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Configuration
    Lua (init.lua)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026neovim.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Language servers
    Built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026neovim.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Vim compatibility
    Vim editing model and Vimscript
    Checked Oct 25, 2026neovim.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Stable release
    0.12
    Checked Oct 25, 2026neovim.io(opens source in a new tab)
  11. GitHub Copilot logo

    11. GitHub Copilot

    Best for: Developers and companies already on GitHub who want one assistant across IDE, terminal and pull requests

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    The default AI assistant for VS Code, with a free plan.

    Pros

    • Works in almost every major IDE plus a CLI and desktop app
    • Assign issues to a cloud agent that opens pull requests
    • Choice of models from several AI labs
    • Enterprise policy, audit and indemnity controls

    Cons

    • Usage-based AI credits make heavy agent use hard to predict
    • Best features assume your code is hosted on GitHub
    • Free plan limits run out quickly with agent mode
    Visit GitHub Copilot Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is GitHub Copilot a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, limited chat and agent usage
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    $10 per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro+ plan
    $39 per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Cloud agent
    Assign issues from GitHub, Jira or Linear
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  12. Cline logo

    12. Cline

    Best for: Developers who want a transparent, open-source agent and to pick and pay for their own models

    Open sourcemacOS, Windows, Linux

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio Code

    Adds an open-source, model-agnostic coding agent to VS Code.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no seat fees
    • Works with nearly any model provider, including local ones
    • Approval step before every file change or command

    Cons

    • Token costs can climb fast with expensive models
    • Approving every step slows down long tasks
    • Team features need the paid Enterprise tier
    Visit Cline Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Cline a good Visual Studio Code alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price for individuals
    Free, pay only for inference
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cline.bot(opens source in a new tab)
    Seat fees
    None for the open-source version
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cline.bot(opens source in a new tab)
    Model providers
    Anthropic, Gemini, OpenAI, OpenRouter, Bedrock and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cline.bot(opens source in a new tab)
    CLI
    npm i -g cline
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.cline.bot(opens source in a new tab)

The best Visual Studio Code alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Zed logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for most people

Zed

Much faster native editor with built-in collaboration, open source.

Eclipse Theia logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for a free option

Eclipse Theia

An open, vendor-neutral IDE that runs VS Code extensions without telemetry.

Windsurf logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Windsurf

VS Code-style editor centered on an AI agent.

VSCodium logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for open source

VSCodium

The same editor built from the open-source code, with telemetry off and an MIT licence.

Eclipse Theia logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for self-hosting

Eclipse Theia

An open, vendor-neutral IDE that runs VS Code extensions without telemetry.

Sublime Text logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for Mac

Sublime Text

Lightweight and very fast, with a one-time license.

Cursor logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for Windows

Cursor

Same VS Code foundation with deeper AI agent features.

IntelliJ IDEA logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for Linux

IntelliJ IDEA

Deeper refactoring and built-in tooling for Java and Kotlin projects.

GitHub Copilot logo

Best Visual Studio Code alternative for working in the browser

GitHub Copilot

The default AI assistant for VS Code, with a free plan.

Visual Studio Code alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Visual Studio Code?

Zed ranks first right now. Much faster native editor with built-in collaboration, open source. Sublime Text and Windsurf follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Visual Studio Code?

Yes. Zed (open source), Windsurf (free plan + paid), Cursor (free plan + paid) and IntelliJ IDEA (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Visual Studio Code?

Yes: Zed, Eclipse Theia, VSCodium and Neovim, plus 1 more in the list above. Eclipse Theia can also be self-hosted.

Which Visual Studio Code alternatives work on Linux?

Zed, Sublime Text, Windsurf, Cursor and IntelliJ IDEA run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Visual Studio Code?

The complaints we hear most: microsoft builds include telemetry; heavy extension use can slow it down.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Visual Studio Code, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.