VS Code

Reviewed by Alexis Morain · Updated July 10, 2026

VS Code is Microsoft's free code editor, with built-in extensions, debugging, and Git. Open source and extensible, for every language.

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SaaS Radar Review

9/10

The reference code editor: light, free, endlessly extensible, and now the default foundation for development.

Free and open source, with no usage limits
Massive extension ecosystem, a workshop built to order
Too many extensions slow down startup

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Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has become the most widely used code editor in the world. Free and open source, built by Microsoft, it combines the lightness of a text editor with the power of a full development environment, thanks to a massive extension ecosystem.

What is VS Code used for?

VS Code is used to write, debug, and version code in nearly every language. It bundles a debugger, a terminal, Git management with GitHub, and syntax highlighting. Its real strength is extensions: one for every language, framework, or tool, installable in a click, turning the editor into a workshop built to order. IntelliSense completion assists you as you type.

VS Code or another editor?

Compared to full IDEs like JetBrains', VS Code is lighter and free, while specialized IDEs go deeper on a specific language. It has become the default foundation, including for AI coding assistants like Claude Code, which plug directly into it.

What are the limits of VS Code?

Piling on extensions can slow startup and raises questions of trust in their code. Microsoft's official build ships with telemetry, which pushes some users toward VSCodium, a version with no tracking at all. GitHub Copilot, the AI assistant, is a separate paid subscription.

Pros & Cons

What we love

Free and open source, with no usage limits
Massive extension ecosystem, a workshop built to order
Built-in debugger, terminal, and Git management
Default foundation for AI coding assistants

What could be better

Too many extensions slow down startup
Telemetry in Microsoft's official build
GitHub Copilot is paid and separate

Key features of VS Code

Extensions

A huge marketplace, one click away for every language or tool

IntelliSense

Code completion and suggestions as you type

Built-in debugger

Breakpoints and inspection without leaving the editor

Built-in Git

Commits, branches, and diffs right in the interface

VS Code pricing

VS Code is entirely free, including for commercial use. GitHub Copilot, the AI assistant that integrates with it, is a separate, optional paid subscription.

Free

All features · Unlimited extensions · Open source (MIT)

0 €

Pricing verified on July 10, 2026

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