VSCodium alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave VSCodium: uses Open VSX, so some extensions are missing, and microsoft-only extensions like Remote SSH and Live Share don't work. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces VSCodium, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Eclipse Theia currently ranks first.

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The best VSCodium alternative for…

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

Best VSCodium alternative for most people

Eclipse Theia

Another open, telemetry-free editor that runs VS Code extensions.

Best VSCodium alternative for a free option

Zed

Open-source native editor that is much faster than Electron-based ones.

Best VSCodium alternative for open source

Visual Studio Code

Microsoft's build, with the full Marketplace and Microsoft extensions.

Best VSCodium alternative for self-hosting

Eclipse Theia

Another open, telemetry-free editor that runs VS Code extensions.

Best VSCodium alternative for Mac

Lapce

Open-source Rust editor with a native UI, for people leaving Electron behind.

Best VSCodium alternative for Windows

Kate

A free KDE editor with language server support and no telemetry concerns.

Best VSCodium alternative for Linux

Eclipse Theia

Another open, telemetry-free editor that runs VS Code extensions.

Best VSCodium alternative for working in the browser

Eclipse Theia

Another open, telemetry-free editor that runs VS Code extensions.

VSCodium alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to VSCodium?

Eclipse Theia ranks first right now. Another open, telemetry-free editor that runs VS Code extensions. Zed and Visual Studio Code follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to VSCodium?

Yes. Eclipse Theia (open source), Zed (open source), Visual Studio Code (free) and Lapce (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to VSCodium?

Yes: Eclipse Theia, Zed, Visual Studio Code and Lapce, plus 1 more in the list above. Eclipse Theia can also be self-hosted.

Which VSCodium alternatives work on Linux?

Eclipse Theia, Zed, Visual Studio Code, Lapce and Kate run on Linux.

Why do people switch from VSCodium?

The complaints we hear most: 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.

How is this list ranked?

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