Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS CliFM

Compare VS Code VS CliFM and see what are their differences

VS Code

Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

VS Code Landing page
Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
CliFM

CliFM is a completely CLI-based, shell-like and KISS file manager written in C: simple, fast, and lightweight as hell.

CliFM Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, VS Code seems to be a lot more popular than CliFM. While we know about 1216 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 26 mentions of CliFM.

social mentions
1,216 vs 26
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 25

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

VS Code
CliFM
Website code.visualstudio.com github.com
Pricing
Open source
Company Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VS Code 8 features
CliFM 5 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Efficiency
    CliFM provides a fast and efficient way to navigate and manage files directly from the command line, which can significantly speed up workflows for experienced users.
  • Customization
    The application supports extensive customization, allowing users to tailor functions, shortcuts, and commands to suit personal preferences.
  • Low Resource Usage
    As a command-line tool, CliFM typically requires fewer system resources compared to graphical file managers, making it ideal for use on systems with limited resources.
  • Scriptable
    CliFM's command-line nature allows it to be easily integrated into custom scripts and automated workflows, enhancing productivity for power users.
  • Minimalist Design
    Its minimalist design reduces visual clutter, allowing users to focus on tasks without distraction.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces or lacking knowledge of command syntax in CliFM may find it challenging to learn and use effectively.
  • Limited GUI Features
    CliFM lacks graphical features that some users may find useful for visual file management tasks, such as thumbnail previews or drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Compatibility
    Being a command-line tool, CliFM may face compatibility issues or require specific adjustments to work seamlessly across different operating systems.
  • User Support
    As an open-source project, the level of user support and available documentation might not be as extensive as commercial software solutions.
  • Complex Operations
    Performing complex file operations may require executing multiple commands or constructing intricate scripts, which can be cumbersome for some users.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

VS Code
CliFM

Overall verdict

  • Yes, VS Code is generally considered a good choice for developers due to its flexibility, efficiency, and strong community support. It is lightweight, fast, and user-friendly, catering to both novice and experienced developers.

Why this product is good

  • VS Code, developed by Microsoft, is a widely popular and versatile code editor. It offers a robust extension ecosystem, which allows developers to customize their workflow and coding environment extensively. Additionally, VS Code supports numerous programming languages right out of the box and provides features like IntelliSense, debugging, Git integration, and a built-in terminal, making it a powerful tool for developers.

Recommended for

  • Web developers looking for a comprehensive yet lightweight coding environment.
  • Software developers who need an editor with extensive language support and customization options.
  • Beginner programmers who would benefit from a feature-rich editor that can grow with their skills.
  • Developers interested in an open-source tool with continuous updates and community-driven enhancements.

No analysis of CliFM yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
CliFM 0 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

No CliFM videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
VS Code
CliFM
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using VS Code and CliFM. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

VS Code 5.0 · 1 review
CliFM no reviews yet

View more

We have no reviews of CliFM yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

VS Code 1216 mentions
CliFM 26 mentions
  • Introducing MonoLisa for Visual Studio Code
    While Visual Studio Code supports OpenType features for its code editor well, configuring those features can be complex as it relies on understanding related CSS syntax. On top of this, additional configuration may be required. Because... - Source: dev.to / 13 days ago
  • History of JavaScript: Browser wars, ECMAScript, Node.js, TypeScript, and React
    Visual Studio Code, a code editor created by Microsoft, was first introduced on April 29, 2015, at the Build conference. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • How to Get Your First Tool Online
    The step up from there is an editor with a built-in agent like Cursor, Google Antigravity, Windsurf, or VS Code with a coding extension. These are code editors with an AI agent living inside them, and the difference is the responsible... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago

View more

  • What are the best open source tools to easily navigate directories from the command line?
    Hi. Fff, lf, clifm Won't say they're best or not, rather interesting and maybe worth looking at. Looked up for the z in termux's repos and it's called "zoxide" there. Source: about 3 years ago
  • I'm writing a file manager in pure BASH
    I imagine fff marks many files, handles multi-file creation/deletion, moving, copying, etc. This file manager will only be made to mark a single file which is just the last file/directory you interacted with. If you need a batch file... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • File manager with "select by initials" feature
    Clifm dose pretty much exactly what you are asking for: Https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm. Source: almost 4 years ago

View more

Alternatives to VS Code and CliFM

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