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Visual Studio alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Visual Studio: windows only, and large install and heavy resource use. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Visual Studio, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Visual Studio Code currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Visual Studio Code logoVisual Studio CodeFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +13 of 379.8
  1. Visual Studio Code logo

    1. Visual Studio CodeTop pick

    Best for: Developers who want a free, extensible editor for any language

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Web

    79.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Visual Studio

    Free and much lighter, with C# Dev Kit and C++ extensions on any OS.

    Pros

    • Free with a huge extension marketplace
    • Excellent remote development
    • Fast and lightweight for an IDE

    Cons

    • Microsoft builds include telemetry
    • Heavy extension use can slow it down
    Visit Visual Studio Code Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Visual Studio Code a good Visual Studio alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 24, 2026code.visualstudio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source core
    Yes (Code - OSS, MIT)
    Checked Oct 24, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, web
    Checked Oct 24, 2026code.visualstudio.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Visual Studio alternative for…

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

Visual Studio Code logo

Best Visual Studio alternative for most people

Visual Studio Code

Free and much lighter, with C# Dev Kit and C++ extensions on any OS.

Visual Studio Code logo

Best Visual Studio alternative for a free option

Visual Studio Code

Free and much lighter, with C# Dev Kit and C++ extensions on any OS.

JetBrains Rider logo

Best Visual Studio alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

JetBrains Rider

Cross-platform .NET IDE with strong refactoring, free for non-commercial use.

Visual Studio Code logo

Best Visual Studio alternative for open source

Visual Studio Code

Free and much lighter, with C# Dev Kit and C++ extensions on any OS.

Cursor logo

Best Visual Studio alternative for Mac

Cursor

AI-first editor for developers who want agents doing more of the coding.

CLion logo

Best Visual Studio alternative for Windows

CLion

JetBrains' C and C++ IDE that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Visual Studio Code logo

Best Visual Studio alternative for Linux

Visual Studio Code

Free and much lighter, with C# Dev Kit and C++ extensions on any OS.

Visual Studio Code logo

Best Visual Studio alternative for working in the browser

Visual Studio Code

Free and much lighter, with C# Dev Kit and C++ extensions on any OS.

Visual Studio alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Visual Studio?

Visual Studio Code ranks first right now. Free and much lighter, with C# Dev Kit and C++ extensions on any OS. JetBrains Rider and Cursor follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Visual Studio?

Yes. Visual Studio Code (free), JetBrains Rider (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 Visual Studio?

Yes: Visual Studio Code.

Which Visual Studio alternatives work on Linux?

Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Rider, Cursor and CLion run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Visual Studio?

The complaints we hear most: windows only; large install and heavy resource use; bigger companies must pay for Professional or Enterprise.

How is this list ranked?

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