Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

VS Code VS replit

Compare VS Code VS replit and see what are their differences

VS Code logo VS Code

Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

replit logo replit

Code, create, andlearn together. Use our free, collaborative, in-browser IDE to code in 50+ languages — without spending a second on setup.
  • VS Code Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-10-09
  • replit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-30

VS Code features and specs

  • Cross-platform
    VS Code works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent development experience across different operating systems.
  • Extensibility
    A vast library of extensions allows users to add functionalities like debuggers, linters, and themes, making it highly customizable.
  • Integrated Git
    Built-in Git integration makes it easy to manage version control tasks directly within the editor.
  • Performance
    Lightweight compared to full-fledged IDEs, ensuring good performance even on systems with limited resources.
  • IntelliSense
    Advanced code completion and refactoring tools help improve coding efficiency and reduce errors.
  • Community Support
    A strong and active community provides extensive support, tutorials, and third-party extensions.
  • Debugging
    Robust debugging tools for various languages and frameworks are available out of the box.
  • Free and Open-Source
    VS Code is completely free to use and open-source, which is beneficial for both individual developers and organizations.

Possible disadvantages of VS Code

  • Limited IDE Features
    While extensible, it may lack some advanced features found in dedicated IDEs out of the box.
  • Extension Management
    Managing and configuring a large number of extensions can become cumbersome and sometimes lead to performance issues.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, it has a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its numerous features and customization options.
  • Memory Usage
    Despite being lightweight, it can consume a significant amount of memory when multiple extensions are installed.
  • Update Frequency
    Frequent updates may sometimes introduce bugs or require users to adapt to new changes quickly.
  • Internet Dependency
    Some features and extensions may require an internet connection to function optimally.
  • Telemetry
    By default, VS Code collects usage data, which might be a concern for users sensitive about data privacy. However, this can be disabled.

replit features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Replit offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy to start coding without needing to set up development environments. This can significantly lower the barrier to entry for beginners.
  • Collaborative Coding
    Replit facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same codebase simultaneously, similar to tools like Google Docs.
  • Supports Multiple Languages
    Replit supports a wide range of programming languages including Python, JavaScript, C++, and many more. This makes it flexible for users with different needs.
  • Cloud-Based
    Being a cloud-based platform, Replit enables users to access their code from any device with an internet connection, eliminating the need for local storage.
  • Built-in Package Manager
    Replit comes with built-in package managers for various languages, making it easier to include third-party libraries and dependencies.
  • Educational Tools
    The platform offers various resources for educators, such as interactive coding environments and classroom management tools, making it ideal for academic settings.

Possible disadvantages of replit

  • Performance Limitations
    Being a cloud-based IDE, Replit may encounter performance issues for larger projects or those requiring intensive computational resources.
  • Limited Customization
    The environment may lack some customization options and advanced settings available in traditional, locally-installed IDEs.
  • Dependency on Internet
    Since it's cloud-based, an active internet connection is mandatory for coding, which can be a drawback in situations with unreliable internet access.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Hosting code on a third-party platform may raise privacy and security issues, especially for proprietary or sensitive projects.
  • Subscription Costs
    While Replit offers a free tier, advanced features, higher resource limits, and premium support come at a subscription cost, which may be a barrier for some users.
  • Limited Debugging Tools
    The platform's debugging tools may not be as robust as those available in more established, dedicated IDEs.

VS Code videos

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos:

  • Review - 7 reasons why I switched to Visual Studio Code from Sublime Text

replit videos

KaBooM! by Swag Bags

More videos:

  • Review - Repl.it SciTech Talk | MIT Arab SciTech 2019
  • Review - First Step Coding intro to Repl.it
  • Review - Kaboom Mold And Mildew With Bleach Review
  • Review - Kaboom Review with the Game Boy Geek

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to VS Code and replit)
Text Editors
88 88%
12% 12
Programming
0 0%
100% 100
IDE
88 88%
12% 12
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare VS Code and replit

VS Code Reviews

  1. dksinden
    · Working at SpeechKit ·

Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
Visual Studio Code, commonly known as VS Code, is a powerful and extensible code editor developed by Microsoft. With its rich ecosystem of extensions and features like IntelliSense, debugging, and Git integration, VS Code enhances your coding productivity.
Source: convesio.com
13 Best Text Editors to Speed up Your Workflow
Finally, the Visual Studio Code website has numerous tabs for you to learn about the software. The documentation page walks you through steps like the setup and working with different languages. You’re also able to check out some tips and tricks and learn all of the Visual Studio Code keyboard shortcuts. Along with a blog, updates page, extensions library and API...
Source: kinsta.com
Jupyter Notebook & 10 Alternatives: Data Notebook Review [2023]
Previously, VS Code was more suited to developers or engineers due to its lack of data analysis capabilities, but since 2020, the VS Code team has collaborated with the Jupyter team to create an integrated notebook within VS Code. The end result is a fantastic IDE workbook for data analysis.
Source: lakefs.io
The Best IDEs for Java Development: A Comparative Analysis
Overview: Although not a traditional IDE, VS Code has gained popularity as a lightweight code editor.
Source: dev.to
20 Best Diff Tools to Compare File Contents on Linux
Visual studio code is a code editor made by Microsoft. It supports several development operations like debugging, task running, and version control. It works on Linux, macOS and Windows operating systems.
Source: linuxopsys.com

replit Reviews

  1. Monkeyman666
    · sysadmin at dagul ·
    Nice web hosting for small website [non production]

    easy setup.

    🏁 Competitors: Heroku
  2. very good for my kids

8 Best Replit Alternatives & Competitors in 2022 (Free & Paid) - Software Discover
Replit is a simple yet powerful online ide, editor, compiler, interpreter, and repl. Code, compile, run, and host in 50+ programming languages. The collaborative browser based ide – replit.
12 Best Online IDE and Code Editors to Develop Web Applications
Moreover, the moment you are ready with the code, it instantly goes live to the world. If you also want to learn about code, Replit has more than three million technologists, creatives, passionate programmers, and more. With real-time collaboration with your teams, your team will be more productive. Additionally, you can create applications, bots, etc., with the help of...
Source: geekflare.com
Best Online Code Editors For Web Developers
Replit allows users to write code and build apps and websites using a browser. The site also has various collaborative features, including capability for real-time, multiuser editing with a live chat feed.
Source: techarge.in

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, VS Code should be more popular than replit. It has been mentiond 1143 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

VS Code mentions (1143)

  • Build Python Docker Development Environment on Win11 from Scratch
    Download VSCode through the following URL Https://code.visualstudio.com/. - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • How to Handle File Uploads with Node.js and Express - Multer Edition
    A text editor or lightweight IDE such as Visual Studio Code. - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • What's Happening in Developer Tools? (OpenAI Just Bought Windsurf for $3B)
    Microsoft's Visual Studio Code is a free code editor that relies on community plugins for support across various languages and frameworks. It also has an AI offering, Copilot, that provides code completion and it just added its own agent. VSCode supports multiple LLMs, but initially, there seemed to be a preference for ChatGPT, in part given its early lead and no doubt influenced by the fact Microsoft was an early... - Source: dev.to / 7 days ago
  • Your first MCP Server (quick)
    Explore different MCP Clients too! You can continue using ollmcp as we did earlier, or try other clients like Claude Desktop, Visual Studio Code, and more to see how different environments interact with your server. - Source: dev.to / 8 days ago
  • An Introduction to TypeScript for JavaScript Developers
    Better Tooling – Enhanced autocompletion, refactoring, and navigation in IDEs like VS Code. - Source: dev.to / 9 days ago
View more

replit mentions (628)

  • Ultimate Guide to Vibe Coding
    Replit has transformed from a collaborative coding platform into a powerful vibe coding environment with the addition of their AI Agent. The platform combines coding assistance with deployment capabilities, letting you not only build but also host your applications. - Source: dev.to / 2 days ago
  • Teaching Kids JavaScript: Making Websites Interactive! (Part 3 of Series)
    Pro Tip: Use Replit for instant JavaScript testing - no setup needed! Just type code and see results immediately. - Source: dev.to / 6 days ago
  • Comparing No-Code App Builders: Which Platform Is Ideal for Your App?
    Replit has evolved from being primarily a coding platform to offering powerful no-code and AI-assisted development features. It bridges the gap between traditional development and no-code solutions. - Source: dev.to / 6 days ago
  • What's Happening in Developer Tools? (OpenAI Just Bought Windsurf for $3B)
    There are other AI agents and text editors out there, including Replit, Zed, and many others, but if you say AI text editor at the moment, most people will think of Cursor/Windsurf/VSCode. - Source: dev.to / 7 days ago
  • Top 10 Vibe Coding AI Tools Every Developer Needs in 2025
    Replit is a full cloud IDE with built-in AI help, GitHub integration, and real-time collaboration. You can spin up applications, bots, or games in 50+ languages — right from your browser. - Source: dev.to / 18 days ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing VS Code and replit, you can also consider the following products

Sublime Text - Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

Vim - Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

Microsoft Visual Studio - Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.

Notepad++ - A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.

Android Studio - Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA - Capable and Ergonomic IDE for JVM