Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS WebStorm

Compare VS Code VS WebStorm 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
WebStorm

The smartest JavaScript IDE

Rating
0 reviews

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
91% vs 9%

Base details

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

VS Code
WebStorm
Website code.visualstudio.com jetbrains.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
WebStorm 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.
  • Intelligent Code Completion
    WebStorm offers smart code completion for JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and other languages, which helps developers write code faster and with fewer errors.
  • Built-in Developer Tools
    Integrated tools like a debugger, terminal, and VCS (Version Control System) support streamline the development process within one IDE.
  • Framework Support
    WebStorm provides out-of-the-box support for a wide variety of popular frameworks such as Angular, React, and Vue.js, making it flexible for modern web development.
  • Cross-platform
    WebStorm is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing developers to use it regardless of their operating system.
  • Customizable
    The IDE is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the environment to meet their specific needs through plugins and settings.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    WebStorm is a paid product, which may not be feasible for individual developers or small teams without a budget for tools.
  • Resource Intensive
    WebStorm can consume significant system resources, which might slow down your computer, especially if it's not high-spec.
  • Learning Curve
    For beginners, the wide array of features and settings can be overwhelming and may require a steep learning curve.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Users have reported occasional performance lags and glitches, especially when working with larger projects.
  • Updates and Compatibility
    Frequent updates might be a hassle for some users, and there can be compatibility issues with certain plugins after an update.

Analysis

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

VS Code
WebStorm

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

  • Yes, WebStorm is considered a highly effective IDE for web development, praised for its robust feature set, ease of use, and overall efficiency.

Why this product is good

  • WebStorm is recognized for its advanced support for JavaScript, TypeScript, and other web technologies. It offers a wide range of features such as intelligent code completion, real-time code collaboration, and extensive plugin integrations, which enhance productivity and streamline the development process.

Recommended for

  • Front-end developers using JavaScript and TypeScript
  • Developers working with frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js
  • Teams seeking powerful collaboration tools
  • Developers looking for an IDE with strong debugging capabilities

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
WebStorm 6 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

JetBrains WebStorm Review

More videos

  • - Webstorm Best IDE For Javascript and Web Development
  • - What's New in WebStorm 2020.1
  • - VS Code vs Webstorm - 5 Things You NEED to Know!
  • - Why I prefer an IDE like WebStorm to a code editor like VS Code
  • - VSCode vs Webstorm - Which is Better for Developers? (A Detailed Comparison)

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
WebStorm
91% 91%
9% 9%
87% 87%
IDE
13% 13%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

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We have no reviews of WebStorm 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
WebStorm 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 / 15 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 WebStorm since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to VS Code and WebStorm

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