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Visual Studio Code

by Microsoft

The world's most popular code editor.

Reviewed by the Softwares.com Editorial Team · Last updated June 2026 · How we rate

Visual Studio Code screenshot

Key facts

Vendor
Microsoft
Pricing
Free — Free
Free tier
Yes
Platforms
Mac, Windows, Linux
Best for
Developers, Everyone
Editor rating
4.7 / 5
Founded
2015
Headquarters
Redmond, WA, USA

What is Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio Code is a code editors tool from Microsoft. VS Code is a free, extensible code editor with a vast extension marketplace.

Visual Studio Code uses free pricing and offers a free tier you can start on without a credit card. Free.

It's best suited to developers, everyone and runs on Mac, Windows, Linux.

Standout strengths include free and open source, massive extension ecosystem, fast and cross-platform. Worth weighing: can get heavy with extensions, electron memory use.

Visual Studio Code pricing

Free
Free
Get Free

Pros

  • Free and open source
  • Massive extension ecosystem
  • Fast and cross-platform

Cons

  • Can get heavy with extensions
  • Electron memory use

Visual Studio Code vs alternatives

See all Visual Studio Code alternatives →

Ready to try Visual Studio Code?

Start free and see if it fits your workflow.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Visual Studio Code?

VS Code is a free, extensible code editor with a vast extension marketplace.

How much does Visual Studio Code cost?

Visual Studio Code is free-priced. It has a free tier.

Does Visual Studio Code have a free trial?

Visual Studio Code offers a free tier rather than a time-limited trial.

What platforms does Visual Studio Code support?

Visual Studio Code is available on Mac, Windows, Linux.