Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS FastMail

Compare VS Code VS FastMail 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
FastMail

Email, calendars, and contacts to highest standards of security, privacy and reliability.

FastMail Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial $3 / Monthly (per user)
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 FastMail. While we know about 1216 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 51 mentions of FastMail.

social mentions
1,216 vs 51
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

VS Code
FastMail
Website code.visualstudio.com fastmail.com
Pricing
Open source
Paid Free trial $3 / Monthly (per user) Official pricing
Company Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VS Code 8 features
FastMail 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.
  • Privacy-Focused
    FastMail is known for its strong commitment to user privacy. They do not serve ads or sell user data to third parties, providing a more secure email experience.
  • Feature-Rich
    The service offers a variety of features such as email filtering, calendar integration, and contact management, making it a versatile choice for both personal and professional use.
  • Custom Domain Support
    Users can use their own custom domains with FastMail, which is particularly useful for businesses and advanced users.
  • Fast and Reliable
    FastMail lives up to its name by offering quick email delivery and a reliable, responsive user interface.
  • Support and Documentation
    FastMail provides robust customer support and has extensive documentation to help users troubleshoot issues and make the most out of the service.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    FastMail is a paid service, which might deter some users who are accustomed to free email services like Gmail or Yahoo.
  • Limited Free Tier
    Unlike some competitors, FastMail does not offer a free tier, meaning users have to commit financially from the get-go.
  • No E2E Encryption
    FastMail does not provide end-to-end encryption by default, which may be a drawback for users seeking maximum security for their communications.
  • Complex Interface for Beginners
    While feature-rich, the interface may be overwhelming for users who are not technically inclined or are new to email management.
  • Limited Integration
    FastMail may not integrate as smoothly with some third-party services and applications when compared to giants like Google Workspace or Microsoft Office 365.

Analysis

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

VS Code
FastMail

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.

Overall verdict

  • FastMail is an excellent choice for users seeking a reliable, privacy-focused email provider with a range of features that enhance productivity and data security.

Why this product is good

  • FastMail is considered a good email service due to its strong privacy features, user-friendly interface, and reliable performance. It is an independent email provider that doesn't rely on ad revenue, which enhances user privacy. The service offers robust security measures, including two-factor authentication and PGP encryption support, making it a trustworthy option for users concerned about data protection. Additionally, FastMail provides useful organizational tools, such as custom folders, rules for sorting emails, and integrated calendars and contacts, which help users manage their communications effectively.

Recommended for

    FastMail is recommended for individuals and businesses who value privacy and security in their email communications, as well as those looking for an ad-free, user-friendly email service with solid organizational tools. It's particularly suitable for users who require reliable performance and are willing to pay a subscription fee for enhanced features and privacy assurances.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
FastMail 1 video + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

Fastmail - Email Service 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
FastMail
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 FastMail. 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
FastMail no reviews yet

View more

  • The Top 4 ProtonMail Alternatives
    blog.superhuman.com · Aug 2024

    Fastmail is a great alternative to Protonmail because of its focus on security, but unlike other offerings, it doesn’t provide a free option. Fastmail’s approach to emailing will feel familiar to users of Gmail which...

  • The BEST Email Hosting Providers for Small Business in 2021

    By choosing FastMail, the host will allow you to email from an address that matches your business website. You can create up to 100 your own domains ([email protected]) and 600 aliases ([email protected]). FastMail...

  • Moving away from GMail
    rolisz.ro · Apr 2020

    Fastmail was my top choice, from a usability perspective and I read many good reviews of it. It ticks all the boxes, at a cost of 50$ per year. I evaluated it a year ago, but because the construction of my house...

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1216 mentions
FastMail 51 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 / 14 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

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  • 📨 Building your Email API with Fastmail for free!
    Have you ever wondered how to host an email system without paying even a single penny? Well, this blog will guide you through the process of building your own email system on Node.js with the integration of fastmail.com. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Staying logged in/remembering cookies in specific containers only?
    Hi, I have recently added a few exceptions to cookie auto-deletion, e.g. To ensure my email provider (fastmail.com) remains logged in. However, for other parties who I do not trust, such as Google, I don't want to remember cookies 99% of... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Domains and Email hosting
    Used to use MXRoute but noticed emails to Gmail and other providers were not getting through. Switched over to Fastmail highly recommend it. Source: about 3 years ago

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Alternatives to VS Code and FastMail

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