Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS Vesktop

Compare VS Code VS Vesktop 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
Vesktop

Vesktop is a custom Discord App aiming to give you better performance and improve linux support - Vencord/Vesktop

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 more popular. It has been mentioned 1222 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1,222 vs 0
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 23

Base details

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

VS Code
Vesktop
Website code.visualstudio.com github.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
Vesktop 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.
  • Enhanced Privacy and Performance
    Vesktop is a standalone desktop application that doesn't rely on the official Discord Electron client. It uses a more lightweight approach, often resulting in better performance and reduced resource usage compared to the standard Discord desktop app.
  • Built-in Vencord Integration
    Vesktop comes with Vencord pre-installed, giving users immediate access to a rich ecosystem of plugins, themes, and customization options without needing to manually patch the Discord client.
  • Screen Sharing with Audio on Linux
    One of Vesktop's standout features is native support for screen sharing with audio on Linux, which is a long-standing limitation of the official Discord client on that platform. This makes it especially valuable for Linux users.
  • Open Source and Transparent
    Vesktop is fully open source, allowing the community to audit the code, contribute improvements, and verify that no malicious or unwanted behavior is present. This fosters trust and community-driven development.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Vesktop supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent and enhanced Discord experience across all major desktop operating systems.

Possible disadvantages

  • Violation of Discord's Terms of Service
    Using Vesktop and Vencord involves client modification, which is against Discord's Terms of Service. This means users risk account suspension or termination, although enforcement has historically been rare.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Since Vesktop is an unofficial third-party client, it may experience bugs, crashes, or compatibility issues that don't exist in the official Discord app, especially after Discord pushes updates that change their internal APIs.
  • Delayed Feature Parity
    When Discord introduces new features or UI changes, Vesktop may take time to catch up or adapt, leaving users temporarily without access to the latest official functionality.
  • Smaller Community and Support
    Compared to the official Discord client, Vesktop has a much smaller user base and support network. Users may find it harder to get help with issues, and documentation may be less comprehensive.
  • Security Risks from Third-Party Plugins
    While Vencord's core plugins are reviewed, the ecosystem of community plugins can introduce security risks. Users who install unvetted plugins could potentially expose their accounts or systems to vulnerabilities.

Analysis

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

VS Code
Vesktop

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

  • Vesktop is a well-regarded, community-built alternative Discord desktop client that combines Vencord's client-side mods with better performance and Linux support, making it a solid choice for users seeking a lighter, more customizable experience.

Why this product is good

  • It's a lightweight, faster alternative to the official Discord client, using less memory and resources.
  • It comes with Vencord preinstalled, offering built-in plugins, themes, and quality-of-life customizations.
  • It has significantly better Linux support, including proper screen sharing with audio (a common pain point with official Discord on Linux).
  • It's free and open source, giving transparency and community-driven development.
  • It respects privacy better by stripping out some of Discord's telemetry through Vencord.

Recommended for

  • Linux users who want reliable screen sharing with audio
  • Users who want a lighter, more performant Discord client
  • People who enjoy customizing their Discord experience with themes and plugins
  • Privacy-conscious users looking to reduce telemetry
  • Open-source enthusiasts who prefer community-maintained software

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
Vesktop 1 video + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

HOW to INSTALL VENCORD CLIENT | Vesktop: BetterDiscord Alternative

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
Vesktop
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 Vesktop. 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
Vesktop no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of Vesktop yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1222 mentions
Vesktop 0 mentions

View more

Tracking Vesktop since Apr 2026.

Alternatives to VS Code and Vesktop

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