Visual Studio Code Reviews (2,714)

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Visual Studio Code Reviews (2,714)

View 5 Video Reviews
4.7
2,714 reviews

What do users say?

Generated using AI from real user reviews
Users consistently praise Visual Studio Code for its lightweight performance and extensive extension ecosystem, which allows for seamless integration of various programming languages and tools. The clean interface and built-in Git support enhance productivity, making it a preferred choice for many developers. However, some users note that it can become resource-intensive when multiple extensions are installed.

Pros & Cons

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Sanjay S.
SS
Sanjay S.
Senior Cloud Consultant
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Powerful, Easy-to-Use, and Free IDE with an Outstanding Extension Ecosystem"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio Code is an extremely powerful, multi-programming-language IDE. Its extension ecosystem is very active and covers a wide range of tools and use cases. I also find it extremely easy to use, and the fact that it’s free is a big plus. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

It isn’t very memory-efficient, and if you have multiple instances of Visual Studio Code open, it can end up using a lot of your system’s memory. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Information Technology and Services
UI
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Lightweight and powerful editor that improves everyday development workflow"
5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

What I like best about Visual Studio Code is how consistently it supports my day to day development work across multiple stacks. In my current workflow, I use it mainly for JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, and Python projects, often switching between different repositories throughout the day. It handles this smoothly without feeling heavy, and it launches quickly even when multiple projects are open at the same time, which helps when moving between tasks during development.

A major strength for me is the extension ecosystem. In real use, I rely on extensions like GitLens for deeper Git history, Docker for container based development, Python tools for debugging and linting, ESLint and Prettier for code quality, REST Client for API testing, and Remote SSH for working on servers. Having all of this inside one editor has reduced the need to switch between separate tools like standalone Git clients, API testing tools, and terminal based workflows. The built in Git integration is particularly useful because I can stage changes, review diffs, and resolve merge conflicts directly inside the editor without leaving the workspace.

The UI is simple but highly practical. I use split editors, integrated terminal panels, workspace specific settings, and custom keybindings almost daily while working on full stack features. This setup helps me manage backend and frontend code side by side without losing context. Features like IntelliSense, inline error highlighting, and integrated debugging have also improved my development speed because issues can be identified and fixed immediately within the same environment.

Performance has been reliable in my experience even with medium to large codebases. Compared to heavier IDEs I used previously, Visual Studio Code feels more responsive, especially when navigating between files, searching across projects, or running debugging sessions. This has helped reduce time spent waiting on the tool itself and keeps focus on actual development work.

From a cost perspective, it provides strong value since it is completely free while still covering most professional development needs. It has replaced several paid or separate tools in my workflow, which has improved overall efficiency. Setup is also straightforward, and most configurations are easy to get running with minimal effort, supported by a large community and good documentation.

I also use AI assisted extensions in my workflow for code suggestions, quick refactoring, and boilerplate generation. While not always perfect, they help speed up repetitive tasks and reduce manual effort when writing common patterns or documentation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

One thing I do not like about Visual Studio Code is that performance can become inconsistent when working on larger projects with many active extensions. In my experience using it for JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, and Node.js development, I have noticed that opening large repositories or running several extensions together can increase memory usage and occasionally slow down file search, IntelliSense suggestions, and terminal responsiveness. It is still manageable, but the slowdown becomes noticeable during long development sessions.

The UI is generally clean, but after adding extensions for Docker, GitHub, API testing, linting, database access, and cloud tooling, the workspace can start to feel crowded. Multiple side panels, notifications, and extension menus sometimes make navigation less efficient, especially when trying to quickly access settings or debugging tools during active development.

Another issue is that extension quality is not always consistent. Some extensions such as Git integration, Python support, and Prettier work very reliably, while others can introduce compatibility issues after updates or require extra manual configuration. I have occasionally run into situations where one extension conflicted with another, which took time to troubleshoot and affected productivity.

Support is mostly community based, which works well for common questions because there are many tutorials, GitHub discussions, and forum posts available. However, for more advanced issues related to debugging, remote development, or extension conflicts, it can take longer to find reliable solutions since there is no direct support structure for most users.

AI related features are also somewhat fragmented. Features like code completion, AI assisted suggestions, and chat based coding tools depend heavily on external extensions, and the experience varies depending on which provider or plugin is being used. Some integrations work smoothly while others still feel experimental or inconsistent across projects.

Overall, Visual Studio Code is still one of the most flexible editors I have used for professional development work, but performance optimization for large projects and a more consistent extension ecosystem would make the experience even better. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

shreyansh J.
SJ
shreyansh J.
Tech firm
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Simple, Feature-Rich, and Easy to Use with Great Extensions"
5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

I use visual studio code almost daily as it is the platform where our work is based on. For coding it is the best platform because of it's simplicity, easy to use ui, the features, ease of access, universal compiler, the extensions. I can write any language of code thanks to the universal compiler. I just have to import the drivers and that's it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

It doesn't support android development properly. I cannot create an android app in it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Beatriz P.
BP
Beatriz P.
Ingeniera de scada
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Lightweight, Fast IDE with a Powerful Extension Marketplace"
4/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

It's super lightweight and fast compared to any other IDE I've used. The best part is the extension marketplace; you can pretty much customize it to fit any language or workflow. The integrated terminal and Git support are also top-notch, making daily tasks much smoother." Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

The constant updates can be a bit annoying sometimes, and if you install too many extensions, the performance starts to take a hit. Also, setting up the configuration files (like json) for debugging can be a bit confusing at first if you're coming from a more 'ready-to-go' environment Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Aditya G.
AG
Aditya G.
SDET
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Dynamic and User-Friendly with Powerful Extensions"
5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

I really appreciate Visual Studio Code for my day-to-day programming as it makes my company projects smoother with its easy navigation and numerous shortcuts. I particularly like the plugins and extensions. They make the platform very dynamic since I can add or remove features based on what I need for my work. The ability to install third-party themes is a great feature too, allowing me to customize the interface to my liking. I find the color format and themes really enhance the experience. A specific extension like Live Server is incredibly helpful when working on HTML websites, as it eliminates having to manually refresh the browser to see changes. Lastly, setting up Visual Studio Code is straightforward and simple—you just download and install. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

integrated AI agents on Visual Studio Code. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Karthik S.
KS
Karthik S.
Machine Learning Intern
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Intuitive and Efficient with Seamless Git Integration"
5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

I use Visual Studio Code as my primary development environment for software development, especially in the MERN Stack or Typescript and AI/ML projects. It solves several day-to-day development challenges by providing an organized coding environment with built-in debugging, terminal access, and Git integration. I like its simplicity and functionality; it's lightweight, fast, and customizable through extensions and settings. The integrated terminal is one of the most useful features, allowing me to run scripts, manage dependencies, use Git commands, and work with various tools directly from the editor without changing windows constantly. The debugging tools help identify and fix issues quickly, with features like breakpoints, variable inspection, and step-by-step execution. Git integration simplifies version control, enabling me to track changes, commit, compare, and resolve directly within VS Code. The setup was very easy and straightforward, and the Extension Marketplace was a big help. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

One niche issue I have experienced is that AutoSave can sometimes interfere with workflows involving file watchers, hot reload systems, or automated build tools. Sometimes, saving a partially written line of code can instantly trigger recompilation, restart development servers, or produce unnecessary error logs. This becomes more noticeable in larger projects or frameworks that monitor file changes. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Priyanshu .
P
Priyanshu .
Test Professional
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Versatile, Extension-Friendly Code Editor with RAM Considerations"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

I use Visual Studio Code for everything coding-related, from web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to automating scripts and crunching data with Python. What I really love is how it solves the problem of context switching for me. Instead of juggling between different tools, VS Code integrates terminal, version control, and debugging all in one place, saving me a ton of mental energy. If I have to pick one favorite feature, it has to be the extensions marketplace. The fact that I can shape VS Code into whatever I need is incredible. Additionally, VS Code feels so snappy compared to heavier IDEs that lag after you click. It plays really well with other tools like Git, GitHub, Node.js, npm, docker, and Live Share with my teammates. The setup was pretty painless and refreshingly straightforward compared to other tools. Overall, I’d give it a solid 9 out of 10. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

The biggest one for me is RAM usage. I know it's built on Electron and that means it's essentially running a browser under the hood, and you can kind of feel that sometimes. Another thing is extension quality is really inconsistent. Also debugging setup can be a headache depending on the language or framework. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Piyali D.
PD
Piyali D.
Digital Markeing Executive
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Lightweight Yet Extensible, But Needs Improved File Handling"
3/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

I love using Visual Studio Code for writing, editing, and formatting web and mobile applications across all programming. It perfectly balances being a lightweight and lightning-fast editor with the deep extensibility of a full IDE. I appreciate how it centralizes various development tools into a single, customized interface, which addresses critical workflow issues for me. The initial setup is definitely very straightforward, making it easy to use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

Some issues which it should solve is large file handling, extension management & memory usages. Memory usages the problem is it uses too much RAM. About large file is it faces problem with heavy files. Problem with extension is it's having conflict as soo many plugins are there. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Mrs Carissa K.
MK
Mrs Carissa K.
Business development
Business Supplies and Equipment
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Feature-Rich Yet Lightweight Code Editor"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

I think Visual Studio Code is the best code editor for modern development. I love its extensive extension marketplace, with tools like Prettier and GitLens that seamlessly boost my productivity. It's incredibly lightweight compared to heavy IDEs but powerful enough to handle multiple languages like JavaScript and Python. The built-in terminal and Git integration simplify my workflow by keeping everything in one place, while IntelliSense makes coding faster with smart auto-completions. I find Visual Studio Code invaluable because it consolidates my entire workflow into one window. Its built-in Git integration makes version control effortless. It offers IDE-level power without sacrificing speed or performance. Setting it up is incredibly easy, with a lightweight installer and an onboarding wizard. For our mid-sized engineering team, it's the ideal choice because it supports virtually every programming language, ensuring consistent workflows and seamless collaboration across teams. I also use it with GitHub, Docker, and Postman for API testing, and it integrates perfectly with AWS and Vercel for cloud deployments. It remains the ultimate, modern industry standard for developers. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

The biggest issue is performance degradation; installing too many extensions heavily drains RAM and causes noticeable lag. Additionally, setting up runtimes, compilers, and debugging environments for languages like C++ or Python can be confusing and tedious for beginners compared to ready-to-go IDEs. Lastly, large workspaces can occasionally cause the file search and indexing to slow down significantly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AN
Aditya N.
Artificial Intelligence Agent Developer
"Intuitive UI and Robust Git Support"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Visual Studio Code?

I primarily use Visual Studio Code for writing project code. It solves the basic IDE code factorisation and helps massively in writing code with its large library and implementation of languages and functions, including shortcuts. I really like its easy-to-understand and navigable UI, which helps me access the application better. The integration with GitCopilot aids in writing code. The file naming system is great, allowing me to name new files easily in formats like '.py', '.java', or .csv. Adding extensions also massively boosts the experience and enhances the overall usability. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Visual Studio Code?

I think they can add a tutorial for new users to help them understand what button does what and which type of setting they find comfortable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.