Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS Vimium

Compare VS Code VS Vimium 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
Vimium

The Hacker's Browser.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, VS Code seems to be a lot more popular than Vimium. While we know about 1220 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 31 mentions of Vimium.

social mentions
1,220 vs 31
Text Editors popularity
98% vs 2%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 29

Base details

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

VS Code
Vimium
Website code.visualstudio.com vimium.github.io
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
Vimium 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.
  • Keyboard Efficiency
    Vimium enhances navigation efficiency by allowing users to browse using keyboard shortcuts similar to those in Vim, reducing reliance on a mouse.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize key bindings and shortcuts to suit their preferences, making it adaptable to individual workflows.
  • Productivity
    Increased productivity through reduced context switching between using a mouse and keyboard, as actions can be executed swiftly using shortcuts.
  • Free and Open Source
    Vimium is available at no cost and its source code can be reviewed and modified, promoting transparency and community-driven enhancements.
  • Cross-Browser Support
    Available as an extension for multiple browsers, allowing users to utilize Vim-like navigation across different environments.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Users unfamiliar with Vim may find the initial learning process challenging as they adjust to new shortcuts and navigation methods.
  • Limited Mouse Interaction
    Users who prefer or rely heavily on mouse interactions might find Vimium's keyboard-focused approach limiting.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some websites or web applications may not fully support Vimium's features, leading to inconsistent performance or conflicts.
  • Overwhelming for Basic Users
    Casual users or those needing only basic browsing features may find Vimium's advanced options unnecessary and overly complex.

Analysis

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

VS Code
Vimium

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.

No analysis of Vimium yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
Vimium 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

Vimium : Intro to using keyboard in your browser

More videos

  • - Quick Look at Vimium Chrome Chromium Firefox Extension
  • - How to browse the web faster using your keyboard and Vimium extension (sous-titres FR)

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
Vimium
98% 98%
2% 2%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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

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

Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1220 mentions
Vimium 31 mentions

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  • GUIs should be fully keyboard-driven
    I use [Vimium](https://vimium.github.io/) for this very reason -- highly recommend it! Although admittedly this only solves for a fully keyboard-driven _browser_ experience. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • GUIs should be fully keyboard-driven
    Https://vimium.github.io/ Hacker browser: allows to navigate browsers without ever needing to use the mouse. I highly recommend it, it's such a productivity booster. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • GUIs should be fully keyboard-driven
    For people who want to navigate browsers only with the keyboard, I recommend vimium https://vimium.github.io/ It's a plugin that enables many keyboard shortcuts, so that you almost don't need to touch the mouse to navigate. For me, it's... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago

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Alternatives to VS Code and Vimium

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