Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS Tuck for Mac

Compare VS Code VS Tuck for Mac 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
Tuck for Mac

A lightweight macOS menu bar manager for hiding icon clutter with one click, zero telemetry, and Shelf Mode for notched MacBooks.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium $14.99 / One-off
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 1216 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1,216 vs 0
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 14

Base details

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

VS Code
Tuck for Mac
Website code.visualstudio.com usetuck.com
Pricing
Open source
Freemium $14.99 / One-off Official pricing
Platforms
MacOS
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United States · 2026
Listed in

About VS Code and Tuck for Mac

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

VS Code
Tuck for Mac

No description of VS Code yet.

Tuck is a lightweight macOS menu bar manager that helps you hide, reveal, and organize crowded menu bar icons. It includes one-click hiding, a global shortcut, Apple system icon control, and optional Pro features such as Shelf Mode for notched MacBooks, auto-hide, hover reveal, and per-icon...

Read more about Tuck for Mac

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VS Code 8 features
Tuck for Mac 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.
  • One-click hiding
    Hide and reveal crowded menu bar icons instantly
  • Shelf Mode
    Use the MacBook notch area as a clean icon shelf
  • Global shortcut
    Toggle menu bar icons from anywhere on macOS
  • Per-icon rules
    Choose which menu bar icons stay visible or hidden
  • Zero telemetry
    No analytics, tracking, or background data collection

Analysis

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

VS Code
Tuck for Mac

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

  • Tuck is a solid, lightweight window management utility for Mac that helps declutter your desktop by tucking inactive windows to the edge of the screen, making it a good choice for users who want simple, unobtrusive multitasking improvements without a steep learning curve.

Why this product is good

  • Simplifies window management by letting you hide inactive app windows to the screen edges instead of closing or minimizing them entirely
  • Lightweight and native-feeling on macOS, avoiding the bloat of more complex window managers
  • Quick access to tucked windows with a click or hover, preserving context and reducing app-switching friction
  • Helps reduce visual clutter on the desktop, especially useful for users who keep many apps open simultaneously
  • Simple, minimal learning curve compared to more feature-heavy tiling window managers

Recommended for

  • Mac users who frequently multitask and want a cleaner desktop
  • People who dislike traditional minimizing to the Dock and want a faster way to stash windows
  • Users who prefer lightweight, single-purpose utilities over complex window management suites
  • Professionals juggling multiple reference windows (chat, notes, docs) who want quick access without clutter
  • Anyone looking for a low-friction way to declutter their screen without changing their overall workflow

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
Tuck for Mac 0 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

No Tuck for Mac videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
Tuck for Mac
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing VS Code and Tuck for Mac.

What makes your product unique?

Tuck for Mac's answer:

Tuck combines a lightweight menu bar hider with Shelf Mode, a notch-aware space for keeping hidden icons accessible on modern MacBooks. It is designed to be simple, fast, and private, with no telemetry or analytics.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Tuck for Mac's answer:

Choose Tuck if you want a cleaner menu bar without a complex setup. It offers one-click hiding, global shortcuts, per-icon rules, Shelf Mode for notched MacBooks, and a useful free version, while staying lightweight and privacy-first.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Tuck for Mac's answer:

Tuck is built for Mac users who keep many menu bar apps running, especially developers, designers, creators, students, productivity-focused users, and MacBook owners who want a cleaner menu bar around the notch.

What's the story behind your product?

Tuck for Mac's answer:

Tuck was created to solve a common Mac problem: the menu bar fills up quickly, but many existing tools are either too heavy, too complex, or not designed around newer MacBook displays. Tuck focuses on a cleaner, simpler way to hide clutter while keeping important icons easy to reach.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Tuck for Mac's answer:

Swift, SwiftUI, AppKit, macOS Accessibility APIs, ScreenCaptureKit, StoreKit, and Paddle licensing.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Tuck for Mac's answer:

  • Independent Mac users
  • Developers
  • Designers
  • Creators
  • Productivity-focused professionals

User comments

Share your experience with using VS Code and Tuck for Mac. 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
Tuck for Mac no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of Tuck for Mac yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1216 mentions
Tuck for Mac 0 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 / 16 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

View more

Tracking Tuck for Mac since Jul 2026.

Alternatives to VS Code and Tuck for Mac

When comparing VS Code and Tuck for Mac, you can also consider the following products.