Visual Studio Code

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Score8.3

Rank#3 of 82

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Web, Windows

Summary

Visual Studio Code is a free code editor with AI-assisted development features for macOS, Linux, Windows, and the web. It provides inline suggestions and intelligent completions, while agent workflows can plan tasks, edit code, run commands, and repeat work. Users can move between agent activity and direct coding in the same editor. Agent workflows support Copilot and third-party providers, including use of a model key; custom instructions, agents, skills, MCP servers, plugins, and extensions support tailoring those workflows. The Marketplace lists more than 80,000 extensions, and JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and HTML support comes built in. Additional tools include Git source control, an integrated terminal, code running and debugging, build tasks, and local history. VS Code can connect to GitHub Codespaces and remote development environments. The browser edition has a limited execution environment. Extensions are signed and verified, but can access files, make network requests, and run processes with the editor's permissions. Telemetry can be disabled in settings, though extensions may collect separate telemetry.

Who it is for

It suits developers who want a free editor with built-in tools, extensions, remote development, and optional AI agent workflows. Web users should account for the browser edition's limited execution environment.

What is good

Free for private or commercial use
Marketplace lists more than 80,000 extensions
Built-in Git, terminal, debugging, and build tasks
Settings Sync and profiles support customization

What to know first

Web editor has a limited execution environment
Extensions can access files and run processes
Telemetry is collected unless disabled; extensions may collect their own

Verdict

Visual Studio Code combines a broad extension ecosystem with editing, debugging, and AI-assisted workflows. Review extension permissions and the web version's execution limits when choosing how to use it.

Visual Studio Code plans and pricing

All plans

Visual Studio Code Free Free for private or commercial use code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on text editors

Free plan: Yescode.visualstudio.com
Supported platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux (.deb), Linux (.rpm)code.visualstudio.com
Extension support: Yescode.visualstudio.com
Remote development: Yescode.visualstudio.com
Editor type: open source AI code editorcode.visualstudio.com

Facts

Multi-cursor editing: Yescode.visualstudio.com · 22 Sept 2026
Column editing: Yescode.visualstudio.com · 22 Sept 2026
Large-file handling: Yescode.visualstudio.com · 22 Sept 2026
Open Source Editor: Visual Studio Code is presented as an open source AI code editor.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Multi-Agent Development: The site positions VS Code as a home for multi-agent development.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Account Requirement: A GitHub account is required to start building with AI agents.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Platform Downloads: Downloads are offered for macOS, Windows, and Linux DEB or RPM packages.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Additional Editions: The site also offers Visual Studio Code Web, Insiders edition, and other platforms.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
License Privacy: Using VS Code requires agreement to its license and privacy statement.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Developer Adoption: VS Code has been the editor of choice for millions of developers for over a decade.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
AI Editing Features: The editor includes AI-powered inline suggestions and intelligent completions.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Agent Workflows: Users can switch between agent work and hands-on coding in the same editor.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Agent Automation: AI agents can plan, change code, run commands, and iterate on tasks.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Agent Customization: Custom instructions, agent skills, custom agents, MCP servers, plugins, and extensions are supported.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Extension Marketplace: The Extension Marketplace contains more than 80,000 extensions.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Language Coverage: VS Code supports almost every major programming language.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Built-In Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and HTML are included in the box.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Settings Sync: Settings Sync lets users share their user settings across VS Code.code.visualstudio.com · 27 Sept 2026
Product: Visual Studio Code is a code editor with AI assisted development features.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
AI agents: Agents can autonomously plan tasks, make code changes, run commands, and iterate.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Models: The editor supports agent workflows with Copilot and third party providers, and users can bring their own model key.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and HTML support are included, and extensions add support for other languages.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Extensions: The Visual Studio Marketplace lists more than 80,000 extensions.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Integrations: The editor includes Git source control and can connect to GitHub Codespaces and remote development environments.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Editor tools: Built in features include an integrated terminal, code running and debugging, build tasks, and local history.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Customization: Settings Sync shares user settings across VS Code instances, and profiles let users create and switch between sets of customizations.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Desktop platforms: VS Code runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Web editor: VS Code for the Web runs in the browser and has a limited execution environment.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Workspace security: Workspace Trust can prevent automatic execution of workspace code while a project is in Restricted Mode.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Extension security: The Marketplace signs extensions and VS Code verifies signatures during installation; extensions can still access files, make network requests, and run processes with VS Code's permissions.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Privacy: VS Code collects telemetry, which users can disable with the telemetry.telemetryLevel setting; extensions may collect separate telemetry.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Enterprise controls: Organizations can restrict installable extensions and host a private extension marketplace.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Support limitation: The product license says Microsoft may not provide support services for the software.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026
Maker: Microsoft Corporation is the company named in the product license; Microsoft lists its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, and says it was founded in 1975.code.visualstudio.com · 29 Sept 2026