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VS Code VS LXDE

Compare VS Code VS LXDE 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
Alternatives Is it good?
LXDE

Why will you like it? Less resource needs. You can use it on your less-pricey embedded board or salvaged computer. Component-based design. Don't want something in LXDE, or you don't want to use LXDE but only part of it?

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
SquadPrime
Free MVP cost calculator: describe your app in 5 clicks and get a realistic 2026 estimate for a freelancer build, a traditional agency and a fixed-price 14-day build by senior professionals, where the client owns the code. sponsored
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 LXDE. While we know about 1219 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 1 mention of LXDE.

social mentions
1,219 vs 1
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 42

Base details

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

VS Code
LXDE
Website code.visualstudio.com lxde.org
Pricing
Open source
—
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in
Text Editors IDE Software Development Developer Tools +1
Linux Desktop Environments Operating Systems Headless CMS +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VS Code 8 features
LXDE 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.
  • Lightweight
    LXDE is designed to be lightweight, making it ideal for older hardware and systems with limited resources.
  • Fast Performance
    Due to its low-resource usage, LXDE provides fast and responsive performance even on less powerful machines.
  • Customizable
    LXDE is highly customizable, allowing users to modify the interface and functionalities to suit their needs.
  • Low Memory Usage
    LXDE uses significantly less memory compared to more feature-rich desktop environments, maximizing available system RAM.
  • Modular Components
    LXDE consists of modular components that can be used independently or replaced, offering flexibility to users and developers.

Possible disadvantages

  • Basic Appearance
    LXDE's default appearance is considered quite basic and lacks the visual polish seen in more modern desktop environments.
  • Fewer Features
    LXDE sacrifices some features and functionality to maintain its lightweight footprint, which may limit advanced user needs.
  • Inconsistent User Experience
    Due to its modularity and simplicity, there might be inconsistencies in user experience compared to more integrated environments.
  • Development Pace
    The development and updates of LXDE are slower compared to other desktop environments, potentially leading to a lack of new features and slower bug fixes.
  • Limited App Integration
    Some applications may not integrate as seamlessly with LXDE as they do with other desktop environments like GNOME or KDE.

Analysis

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

VS Code
LXDE

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

  • LXDE is good for users who prioritize performance and simplicity over a more visually intricate and feature-rich environment. It provides a stable and reliable experience with essential features while maintaining fast responsiveness.

Why this product is good

  • LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) is known for its simplicity, speed, and minimal use of system resources. It is particularly well-suited for older hardware, computers with limited processing power, or users who prefer a more traditional and straightforward desktop interface. Its modular design allows for greater flexibility and customization, making it a preferred choice for users who want to build their desktop environment according to their needs.

Recommended for

  • Users with older computers or limited hardware resources
  • Those seeking a lightweight and fast desktop experience
  • Linux enthusiasts who prefer a traditional desktop interface
  • Users requiring a customizable and modular environment

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
LXDE 2 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

Desktop December - LXDE Review

More videos

  • - Lubuntu 18.04 LTS Review - Perhaps the last with LXDE

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
LXDE
100% 100%
Text Editors
0% 0%
0% 0%
Desktop Environments
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
Linux
100% 100%

User comments

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

View more

  • 9 Best Linux Desktop Environments to Use in 2023
    geekflare.com · Jan 2023

    Another elegant and portable desktop environment is LXDE. LXDE stands for Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment. It uses minimal RAM compared to other desktop environments since it uses so few resources. LXDE is better...

  • Top 10 Best Desktop Environments in 2020
    www.journaldev.com · Jan 2021

    Lightweight and Low-resource can be considered the same, but in this case, there’s a difference. XFCE is a lightweight desktop environment even with a whole lot of built-in customizations and UI perks. LXDE, on the...

  • The 12 Best Linux Desktop Environments
    linuxhint.com · Nov 2020

    LXDE is a user-friendly, energy-efficient, and lightweight Linux desktop environment. It is based on the GTK+, so LXDE can be a good alternative to Xfce if it runs slower on your system. It proves that LXDE is...

Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1219 mentions
LXDE 1 mention

View more

  • Touchpad Settings on Qtile with GUI App
    That said, you can look into lxinput https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Openbox#GUI_configuration https://lxde.org or... I don't know if kde-config-touchpad is still valid. Source: about 4 years ago

Alternatives to VS Code and LXDE

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

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