Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS Textmate

Compare VS Code VS Textmate 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
Textmate

TextMate brings Apple's approach to operating systems into the world of text editors.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, VS Code seems to be a lot more popular than Textmate. While we know about 1221 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 16 mentions of Textmate.

social mentions
1,221 vs 16
Text Editors popularity
92% vs 8%

Base details

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

VS Code
Textmate
Website code.visualstudio.com macromates.com
Pricing
Open source
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
Textmate 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.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    TextMate offers a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Extensible
    The editor supports a variety of plugins and bundles, allowing users to extend its functionality to meet their specific needs.
  • Snippets and Macros
    TextMate has robust support for snippets and macros, enabling users to automate repetitive tasks and increase productivity.
  • Language Grammars
    It provides excellent syntax highlighting and language grammars for a wide array of programming languages.
  • Multi-File Search and Replace
    TextMate allows for efficient search and replace operations across multiple files, which is useful for large projects.
  • Lightweight
    Despite its powerful features, TextMate is lightweight and does not consume significant system resources.

Possible disadvantages

  • MacOS Only
    TextMate is exclusive to MacOS, which means users on other operating systems cannot use it.
  • Not Free
    While it offers a trial period, TextMate is a paid software, which may not be ideal for users looking for free solutions.
  • Limited Collaboration Features
    TextMate does not offer robust built-in collaboration tools, making it less suitable for team-based workflows compared to some other editors.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Though it has a user-friendly interface, leveraging some of its more advanced features can require a steep learning curve.
  • Limited Debugging Tools
    TextMate lacks comprehensive debugging tools, which might necessitate the use of external software for full-fledged development work.

Analysis

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

VS Code
Textmate

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

  • TextMate is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and highly customizable text editor on macOS. Its balance of simplicity and powerful features makes it an excellent tool for both beginners and experienced developers.

Why this product is good

  • TextMate is a versatile and powerful text editor that is highly regarded for its simplicity and feature-rich environment. It offers a comprehensive suite of features including snippets, macros, a range of plugins, and language grammars that make coding efficient and intuitive. Its lightweight nature and user-friendly interface make it an attractive option for Mac users seeking a reliable coding tool.

Recommended for

  • Web developers
  • Software engineers
  • Programmers who prefer macOS
  • Users who value customization and a lightweight editor

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
Textmate 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

TextMate Review

More videos

  • - Screencast #90: Simple TextMate Tips

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
Textmate
92% 92%
8% 8%
90% 90%
IDE
10% 10%
100% 100%
0% 0%
90% 90%
10% 10%

User comments

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1221 mentions
Textmate 16 mentions

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Alternatives to VS Code and Textmate

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