Compare Visual Studio and Xcode

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At a Glance
Visual Studio
Visual Studio
Star Rating
(3,965)4.5 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (35.8% of reviews)
Information
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Visual Studio
Xcode
Xcode
Star Rating
(1,033)4.2 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (55.4% of reviews)
Information
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Xcode
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • G2 reviewers report that Visual Studio excels in its intuitive interface and powerful features, making it a favorite among developers. Users appreciate the Intellisense capabilities that provide accurate code suggestions, allowing for faster coding and efficient debugging.
  • Users say that Xcode shines with its seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, particularly for iOS development. The automatic code signing and high-quality simulators enhance the deployment process, making it easier for developers to test their applications across multiple devices.
  • Reviewers mention that Visual Studio's robust debugging tools are a significant advantage, enabling users to quickly verify their code changes. This feature is particularly beneficial for developers who prioritize efficiency and performance in their workflow.
  • According to verified reviews, Xcode's support for both UI Kit and SwiftUI is highly praised, as it enriches the development experience with features like live previews. This capability allows developers to visualize their app's UI and user flow before finalizing their code.
  • G2 reviewers highlight that Visual Studio has a strong community presence, with a large number of recent reviews indicating a vibrant user base. This community support is complemented by a free community edition, making it accessible for small businesses and individual developers.
  • Users express that while Xcode is tailored for Apple development, it can sometimes feel less versatile compared to Visual Studio, which supports a broader range of programming languages and frameworks. This flexibility is a key factor for developers working in diverse environments.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Visual Studio
No pricing available
Xcode
No pricing available
Free Trial
Visual Studio
No trial information available
Xcode
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
9.1
3,191
8.8
840
Ease of Use
8.7
3,211
7.8
843
Ease of Setup
8.6
869
8.1
192
Ease of Admin
8.5
559
8.0
137
Quality of Support
8.4
2,774
7.7
743
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.8
523
8.1
127
Product Direction (% positive)
8.9
3,092
7.9
812
Features by Category
.NET Integrated Development Environments (IDE)Hide 7 FeaturesShow 7 Features
8.8
943
Not enough data
Functionality
9.1
843
Not enough data
9.0
818
Not enough data
8.9
730
Not enough data
8.7
807
Not enough data
8.7
794
Not enough data
8.6
785
Not enough data
8.7
791
Not enough data
C/C++ Integrated Development Environments (IDE)Hide 7 FeaturesShow 7 Features
8.8
574
8.7
70
Functionality
9.1
514
9.0
65
8.9
509
8.8
63
8.9
468
8.7
57
8.8
496
8.5
63
8.8
496
8.8
63
8.7
497
8.6
61
8.7
493
8.6
61
Not enough data
8.7
109
Functionality
Not enough data
8.7
92
Not enough data
8.5
89
Not enough data
9.0
98
Management
Not enough data
8.3
87
Not enough data
8.6
85
Not enough data
8.8
86
Application Development PlatformsHide 7 FeaturesShow 7 Features
8.9
452
8.5
71
Functionality
9.1
417
8.7
66
9.1
400
8.7
63
9.0
375
8.2
61
8.9
400
8.3
65
8.7
386
8.8
67
8.7
388
8.4
65
8.9
393
8.8
65
Mobile Development PlatformsHide 3 FeaturesShow 3 Features
8.6
52
8.7
13
Agentic AI - Mobile Development Platforms
8.7
40
8.7
13
8.5
40
8.7
13
8.5
40
8.6
12
Categories
Categories
Unique Categories
Visual Studio
Visual Studio is categorized as .NET Integrated Development Environments (IDE)
Xcode
Xcode is categorized as Mobile App Debugging and Mobile App Testing
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Visual Studio
Visual Studio
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
35.8%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
32.1%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
32.1%
Xcode
Xcode
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
55.4%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
23.3%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
21.4%
Reviewers' Industry
Visual Studio
Visual Studio
Computer Software
31.0%
Information Technology and Services
22.6%
Higher Education
2.9%
Financial Services
2.6%
Internet
2.2%
Other
38.7%
Xcode
Xcode
Computer Software
36.2%
Information Technology and Services
18.1%
Internet
5.6%
Higher Education
3.4%
Financial Services
2.2%
Other
34.5%
Alternatives
Visual Studio
Visual Studio Alternatives
Eclipse
Eclipse
Add Eclipse
NetBeans
NetBeans
Add NetBeans
Android Studio
Android Studio
Add Android Studio
Qt
Qt
Add Qt
Xcode
Xcode Alternatives
Eclipse
Eclipse
Add Eclipse
NetBeans
NetBeans
Add NetBeans
Android Studio
Android Studio
Add Android Studio
Qt
Qt
Add Qt
Discussions
Visual Studio
Visual Studio Discussions
What is Visual Studio used for?
10 Comments
Glenn H.
GH
PC program development mainly, but with add ins it can be used for some embedded projects too.Read more
What is the use of Visual Studio?
6 Comments
Khabul S.
KS
Visual Studio is user friendly IDE tool used for developing code with lots of plugins available.Read more
can i use visual studio with mysql database? is it the best compatibility
5 Comments
LB
you can ! it's compatibilityRead more
Xcode
Xcode Discussions
What is the use of Xcode in Mac?
2 Comments
vishal singh s.
VS
For application developmentRead more
Is Xcode good for Python?
2 Comments
Eduardo R.
ER
No, only Obj-C or SwiftRead more
Can we use Xcode for the hybrid apps in future?
2 Comments
Karan S.
KS
It's doubtful - Apple likes to keep their environment separate from others. iOS will continue to be its own identity and I doubt hybrid apps will be...Read more