Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS JetBrains

Compare VS Code VS JetBrains 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
JetBrains

The World's Leading Vendor of Professional Development Tools

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, VS Code seems to be a lot more popular than JetBrains. While we know about 1217 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 4 mentions of JetBrains.

social mentions
1,217 vs 4
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

VS Code
JetBrains
Website code.visualstudio.com jetbrains.com
Pricing
Open source
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the Czech Republic · 500 - 999 employees
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VS Code 8 features
JetBrains 9 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.
  • Comprehensive IDE Features
    JetBrains offers a wide range of integrated development environments (IDEs) tailored for different languages, including IntelliJ IDEA for Java, PyCharm for Python, and WebStorm for JavaScript. These IDEs come with advanced code editing, debugging, and testing tools that enhance productivity and support efficient code management.
  • Smart Code Completion
    JetBrains IDEs provide intelligent code completion that suggests potential code elements as you type, helping to reduce errors and speed up coding. This feature is particularly useful in large codebases where it aids navigation and reduces the cognitive load on the developer.
  • Refactoring Tools
    JetBrains provides powerful refactoring tools that allow developers to modify code structure without changing its functionality, making it easier to improve code readability, optimize performance, and manage large projects.
  • Version Control System Integration
    JetBrains products seamlessly integrate with popular version control systems such as Git, Mercurial, and Subversion, enabling streamlined project management and collaboration among development teams.
  • Extensive Plugin Ecosystem
    The JetBrains marketplace offers a vast array of plugins and extensions, allowing users to customize their development environment to suit particular project needs or preferences, thereby enhancing functionalities and features.
  • Comprehensive Code Review
    Upsource provides robust code review features, allowing teams to collaborate more effectively. It supports inline comments, discussions, and mentions, which facilitate thorough code evaluations and knowledge sharing.
  • Integration with JetBrains IDEs
    Seamlessly integrates with JetBrains IDEs, enabling developers to access Upsource's features directly from their development environment, which can streamline workflow and enhance productivity.
  • Multi-VCS Support
    Supports a variety of version control systems including Git, Mercurial, Subversion, and Perforce. This flexibility makes it a good fit for teams using different VCS solutions.
  • Project Insight
    Provides insights into the development process with analytics and project statistics, helping teams make data-driven decisions.

Possible disadvantages

  • High Resource Consumption
    JetBrains IDEs might require significant system resources, which can lead to slow performance on less powerful computers. This can hamper efficiency, especially when working with large codebases or on hardware with limited processing power.
  • Cost
    While JetBrains provides a high-quality product, the subscription-based pricing model might be costly for individual developers or small teams, particularly when budget constraints are a concern.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    Due to the wide array of features and functionalities, JetBrains IDEs may have a steep learning curve for beginners, which can be overwhelming and may require significant time investment to become proficient.
  • Limited Support for Less Popular Languages
    JetBrains focuses on popular languages and technologies, which might mean limited support or fewer features for less commonly used programming languages, forcing developers working with these languages to seek alternative tools.
  • Frequent Updates
    While updates can bring improvements and new features, JetBrains products frequently receive updates which can sometimes disrupt development processes or require time to adjust to interface changes and new tools.
  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration of Upsource can be complex, particularly for teams without prior experience with similar tools.
  • Resource Intensive
    The tool can be resource-heavy, potentially requiring significant server capabilities to function smoothly, especially for larger projects.
  • User Interface Complexity
    Some users find the interface of Upsource to be complex and not as intuitive as other code review tools, which might require a learning curve.
  • Limited Non-Java Support
    While Upsource offers great support for Java projects, its functionality for non-Java codebases may be less comprehensive, restricting its effectiveness for diverse tech stacks.

Analysis

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

VS Code
JetBrains

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 JetBrains yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
JetBrains 6 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

My Thoughts On JetBrains Fleet

More videos

  • - Upsource Overview
  • - Code review workflow in Upsource
  • - Build a Real World Java Application w/ JetBrains Academy
  • - Introducing JetBrains Upsource: Repository browser and code review tool
  • - JetBrains Aqua Preview

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
JetBrains
100% 100%
0% 0%
97% 97%
3% 3%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using VS Code and JetBrains. 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
JetBrains no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1217 mentions
JetBrains 4 mentions

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Alternatives to VS Code and JetBrains

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