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VS Code VS OneNote

Compare VS Code VS OneNote 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?
OneNote

Get the OneNote app for free on your tablet, phone, and computer, so you can capture your ideas and to-do lists in one place wherever you are. Or try OneNote with Office for free.

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Alternatives Is it good?
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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 more popular. It has been mentioned 1218 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1,218 vs 0
user rating
5.0 vs 5.0
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

VS Code
OneNote
Website code.visualstudio.com onenote.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United States
Listed in
Text Editors IDE Software Development Developer Tools +1
Note Taking Todos Personal Productivity Personal Notes +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VS Code 8 features
OneNote 6 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.
  • Cross-Platform Accessibility
    OneNote is available on various platforms including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and through web browsers, providing seamless access to notes from any device.
  • Collaboration Features
    OneNote allows real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on the same notebook simultaneously and see changes in real-time.
  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    As part of the Microsoft Office Suite, OneNote integrates well with other Microsoft products like Word, Excel, and Outlook, enhancing productivity.
  • Flexible Organization
    OneNote offers a flexible structure for organizing notes, including notebooks, sections, and individual pages, allowing for customizable workflows.
  • Rich Media Support
    Users can insert various types of media into their notes, including images, audio recordings, video clips, and even web links.
  • Handwriting and Drawing Support
    OneNote supports handwriting and drawing using touchscreens and stylus pens, which is particularly useful for tablet and touch device users.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity for New Users
    The versatile features and flexible structure of OneNote can be overwhelming for new users, requiring a learning curve to utilize effectively.
  • Storage Limitations
    Notes are stored in OneDrive, which comes with a limited amount of free storage. Users may need to purchase additional storage if they exceed this limit.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, especially with large notebooks or when working offline, which can impact productivity.
  • Limited Export Options
    OneNote offers limited options for exporting notes, making it difficult to transfer data to other note-taking applications or formats.
  • Inconsistent Features Across Platforms
    Not all features are available across all platforms, leading to a fragmented experience when switching between devices.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any cloud-based service, there are concerns about data privacy and security, particularly for sensitive information stored in OneNote.

Analysis

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

VS Code
OneNote

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

  • OneNote is generally considered a good tool for note-taking and organization, especially for users who are already within the Microsoft ecosystem. Its wide array of features makes it suitable for students, professionals, and anyone in need of a comprehensive digital notebook.

Why this product is good

  • OneNote is praised for its versatility and flexibility. It offers a robust platform for note-taking that supports multimedia inputs such as text, images, audio, and video, which can be organized within notebooks and sections. OneNote integrates well with other Microsoft Office products, enabling easy sharing and collaboration. Its cross-platform availability ensures that your notes are accessible from various devices, and its cloud synchronization simplifies accessing and updating notes on the go.

Recommended for

  • Students looking for a digital notebook to organize lecture notes and study materials.
  • Professionals who need a tool for meeting notes, project planning, and collaboration.
  • Individuals seeking a versatile note-taking application that supports a variety of media and formats.
  • Users who prefer cross-platform access to their notes and seamless integration with Microsoft Office products.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
OneNote 3 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

Notability vs OneNote: 2019 comparison

More videos

  • - 5 Reasons OneNote is Better than Notability | iPad Pro Note taking (2019)
  • - Microsoft OneNote Tutorial

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
OneNote
100% 100%
Text Editors
0% 0%
0% 0%
Note Taking
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
Task Management
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using VS Code and OneNote. 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
OneNote 5.0 · 1 review

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1218 mentions
OneNote 0 mentions

View more

Tracking OneNote since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to VS Code and OneNote

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

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