Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS xplr

Compare VS Code VS xplr and see what are their differences

VS Code

Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

VS Code Landing page
Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
xplr

Fast and hackable file manager for the terminal.

xplr Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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 a lot more popular than xplr. While we know about 1216 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 5 mentions of xplr.

social mentions
1,216 vs 5
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 38

Base details

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

VS Code
xplr
Website code.visualstudio.com github.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
xplr 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.
  • Customizability
    xplr offers a high level of customizability, allowing users to script and configure the file explorer extensively using Lua.
  • Terminal Integration
    As a terminal-based file explorer, xplr integrates well into a command-line workflow, making it convenient for users who prefer navigating files without leaving the terminal.
  • Lightweight
    xplr is designed to be a lightweight file explorer, ensuring quick start-up times and minimal system resource usage.
  • Keyboard Navigation
    It offers efficient keyboard navigation, which can improve productivity for users comfortable with keyboard shortcuts.
  • Cross-Platform
    xplr is a cross-platform application, making it accessible on various operating systems including Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its customizability and keyboard-driven nature, xplr may have a steep learning curve for new users or those accustomed to GUI-based navigations.
  • Limited Default Features
    Out of the box, xplr might have fewer features compared to other more mature file explorers, requiring users to set up or script additional functionalities.
  • Dependency on Terminal
    As a terminal-based application, it requires users to have a terminal emulator, which may not be ideal for users who prefer graphical interfaces.
  • Potential for Overhead
    The extensive customization options might lead to increased overhead in managing configurations for users who need a simple, quick file explorer.
  • Community and Support
    While growing, xplr may not yet have as large of a community or as much available support compared to more established file explorers.

Analysis

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

VS Code
xplr

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 xplr yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
xplr 3 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

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

SRAM XPLR Groupset Review: 1x Specific for Gravel Cycling

More videos

  • Review - Is This The Future Of Gravel? SRAM XPLR first ride impressions
  • Review - SRAM XPLR with Sage Storm King GP Review

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
xplr
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 xplr. 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
xplr no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of xplr 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
xplr 5 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 / 13 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

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  • Ask HN: Is it still possible to live in a terminal?
    The Vim/Neovim ecosystem has gotten unbelievably better over the last 5-10 years. "Living in the terminal" for core development work is IMO better than pretty much anything else out there; my Neovim setup has a modern plugin manager; an... - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
  • LF, NNN or ViFM?
    a terminal file manager built in rust I just heard about. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • how to rm -rf ~/Desktop permanently?
    I tried using nnn but didn't find it easy to adopt, now I'm looking at https://github.com/sayanarijit/xplr. Source: about 4 years ago

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Alternatives to VS Code and xplr

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