Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS Luna Display

Compare VS Code VS Luna Display 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
Luna Display

Hardware that turns the iPad into a wireless second display

Luna Display 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 Luna Display. While we know about 1216 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 69 mentions of Luna Display.

social mentions
1,216 vs 69
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 64

Base details

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

VS Code
Luna Display
Website code.visualstudio.com astropad.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
Luna Display 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.
  • Portability
    Luna Display allows you to use your iPad or Mac as a second display, enhancing productivity on the go without the need for additional heavy hardware.
  • Ease of Use
    The setup process is user-friendly, requiring just a simple plug-in of the Luna Display dongle and installation of the companion apps, making it accessible for non-technical users.
  • Compatibility
    Luna Display is compatible with both Mac and Windows, providing flexibility for users operating on different platforms.
  • Latency
    The device offers low latency performance, ensuring smooth and responsive interaction, which is crucial for graphic design or gaming tasks.
  • Wireless Capability
    Luna Display can connect wirelessly, allowing more freedom in positioning and reducing clutter from cables on your workspace.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Compared to some software-only solutions, Luna Display requires the purchase of a hardware component, which might be an additional expense for users.
  • Network Dependency
    While it can connect wirelessly, optimal performance often depends on a strong and stable Wi-Fi network, which may not always be available.
  • Dongle Requirement
    The necessity of using a physical dongle could be seen as a drawback, particularly for users who prefer software-only solutions.
  • Limited Features
    Some advanced features found in other display solutions might not be available with Luna Display, which might limit its appeal to power users.
  • Compatibility Restrictions
    Although it supports both Mac and Windows, there may be certain compatibility limitations with older devices or operating system versions.

Analysis

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

VS Code
Luna Display

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

  • Luna Display is considered a good solution for those looking for a reliable and efficient way to expand their workspace with high-quality screen mirroring and extended display functionality.

Why this product is good

  • Luna Display is highly regarded because it allows users to turn their iPad or Mac into a secondary display for their primary Mac or PC, providing flexibility and enhancing productivity for creative professionals and remote workers. It is known for its performance, low latency, and ability to extend the desktop environment seamlessly.

Recommended for

  • Creative professionals such as graphic designers and digital artists who need additional screen real estate.
  • Remote workers who want to optimize their workflow with multiple displays.
  • Mac and PC users who require a portable second monitor option for their setup.
  • Anyone interested in enhancing their multitasking capabilities with improved screen space.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
Luna Display 3 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

Review: Luna Display by Astropad

More videos

  • Review - Use your iPad as second Monitor - Luna Display Review and Basics
  • Review - Luna Display Review - Fantastic tool with one exception!

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
Luna Display
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 Luna Display. 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
Luna Display no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1216 mentions
Luna Display 69 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 / 12 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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  • Asus Zenbook Duo 2024
    App: https://astropad.com/product/studio/ Dongle: https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/ First turns iPad into Wacom, second is a second screen with features Sidecar doesn't offer, such as reversing for use with teleprompter. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • New Linux Tablet from Star Labs
    Luna Display [1] works with iPads running at minimum iOS 12.1. Which means iPad mini 2, iPad Air, iPad Pro 1, iPad 5 and greater. [1] https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Use iMac as monitor
    You could use Luna Display, I’ve used it and it was pretty good. I think it’s a great substitute when your iMac doesn’t support the required MacOS for extending the screen natively. Source: about 3 years ago

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Alternatives to VS Code and Luna Display

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