Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS Eclipse IDE

Compare VS Code VS Eclipse IDE and see what are their differences

VS Code

Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
Eclipse IDE

Eclipse IDE for Java EE developers.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, VS Code seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 1219 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1,219 vs 0
Text Editors popularity
95% vs 5%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 106

Base details

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

VS Code
Eclipse IDE
Website code.visualstudio.com eclipse.org
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
Eclipse IDE 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.
  • Feature-Rich
    Eclipse IDE offers a wide array of tools and features such as code completion, syntax highlighting, refactoring, and debugging, which enhance productivity and ease of use for developers.
  • Platform Support
    Eclipse IDE supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Plugin Ecosystem
    Eclipse has a robust and extensive plugin ecosystem, allowing developers to customize their development environment according to their specific needs.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, Eclipse IDE is free to use and has a strong community of developers who contribute to its continuous improvement and support.
  • Versatility
    Eclipse supports development in a multitude of languages such as Java, Python, and C++, making it a versatile tool for different kinds of projects.

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance
    Eclipse IDE can be resource-intensive and may suffer from performance issues, especially when running on machines with limited RAM and CPU power.
  • Complexity
    The extensive features and plugins can make Eclipse overwhelming for beginners, requiring a steep learning curve to become proficient in its use.
  • Slow Startup
    Eclipse often has a slow startup time compared to other IDEs, which can be frustrating for developers who need to quickly access their projects.
  • UI
    The user interface of Eclipse is often criticized for being cluttered and not as modern or intuitive as some other IDEs like Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ IDEA.
  • Update Management
    Managing updates and plugins can sometimes be cumbersome and may lead to compatibility issues, making it challenging to maintain a stable development environment.

Analysis

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

VS Code
Eclipse IDE

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 Eclipse IDE yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
Eclipse IDE 1 video + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

Eclipse IDE Review

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
Eclipse IDE
95% 95%
5% 5%
93% 93%
IDE
7% 7%
99% 99%
1% 1%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

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

VS Code 5.0 · 1 review
Eclipse IDE no reviews yet

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

Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1219 mentions
Eclipse IDE 0 mentions

View more

Tracking Eclipse IDE since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to VS Code and Eclipse IDE

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