Are you also stuck in the debate between Visual Studio vs Visual Studio Code? Visual Studio is an IDE that is a robust platform for writing, editing, debugging, and running code. However, Visual Studio Code is an intelligent text editor that only helps developers write and edit code. Developers will have to step out of the text editor, or Visual Studio Code, in this case, to run the code or download plugins to help it run for you.
In this blog, let’s look at their respective capabilities, utility, benefits, and more to help you make an informed decision.
What is Microsoft Visual Studio?
Microsoft Visual Studio, or VS, is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Consider it a creative launching pad that more developers use to build, edit, and debug code. Post that, anyone can easily publish the app they are building for future usage.
Visual Studio is known for its excellent editing and debugging capabilities that distinguish it from its competitors. It also includes various code completion tools, compilers, graphic designers, and other elements to ease a developer’s process of building an application.
Visual Studio aims to be a robust, feature-rich, and comprehensive solution for building apps.
What is Visual Studio Code?
Visual Studio Code, or VS Code, refers to a unique text editor that offers multiple customizable features. Most of these features are in the form of plugins for developers to curate a selective development environment. VS Code is known for being a lightweight and powerful editor that can be easily installed on any platform. The most common Visual Studio Code features include IntelliSense for code suggestions, built-in Git integration, and debugging support.
It has built-in support for Node.js, TypeScript, and JavaScript, including a feature-rich extension ecosystem for different programming languages like Java, C#, C++, PHP, Go, and Python. Currently, VS Code is the best text editor centred around ease, extensibility, speed, and flexibility.
Comparison: Visual Studio vs VS Code
Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code are not the same thing. The former is an IDE, and Visual Studio Code is a rich text editor like Atom and Sublime Text.
However, the difference between the two tools is more than just an IDE and text editor. Here is a comparison table showcasing the primary differences between Visual Studio vs Visual Studio Code in detail.
Category | Visual Studio | Visual Studio Code |
Speed | VS is slower in its performance across multiple platforms | VS Code is comparatively faster |
Cost | It has a free editor for developers to use, but also comes with a premium IDE edition | It is open-source and completely free of cost |
Size | The overall download size of Visual Studio is quite large | VS Code is known to be lightweight and doesn’t require heavy downloads |
Space | It requires more space to work across systems | It does not require much space to run (limited to 300MB RAM) |
Systems | Primarily Windows, with Visual Studio for Mac available | Visual Studio Code runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Plugin | Extensive selection of extensions | Vast and diverse extension marketplace |
Visual Studio Code vs Visual Studio: Pricing
The debate of Visual Studio vs Visual Studio Code has become even more heated when it comes to the price discussions between both platforms. Visual Studio Community edition is free for individual developers, academic use, and open-source projects. The paid versions (Professional and Enterprise) have different pricing structures.
Unlike IDE or Visual Studio, VS Code is open source and completely free of cost. Many contributors in the Microsoft Visual Studio community work regularly to ensure this text editor is working perfectly fine. The cost-saving aspects of using VS Code prove to be beneficial for smaller teams or other freelance developers.
Conversely, Visual Studio can cost up to $45 a month or $1,199 for the first 12 months of its usage. After the 12 months are over, the developer must pay $799 to use the platform annually to gain the perpetual license. Moreover, the numbers go a notch higher - $250 a month, then $5,999/ year, and subsequently $2,569/year as far as the Enterprise version of the VS Code is concerned.
Visual Studio vs VS Code for Development: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code depends on several factors. A few of these relevant technical aspects are mentioned below to help you understand more about the differences between the tools:
Visual Studio is well-suited for projects using .NET languages (C#, VB.NET, F#) and technologies like ASP.NET. For example, the IDE has some powerful HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JSON editors, which make it highly suitable for several full-stack applications.
Conversely, VS Code often supports a plethora of languages and can help other languages too, if there exists a plug-in for that particular language. Hence, if any specific project dictates the need for cross-stack development, VS Code can be the most suitable tool to help with the process.
Visual Studio is most suitable for projects that require a heavy memory space, a rich graphical user interface (GUI), thousands of lines of code (LOC), and other relevant project management needs. VSCode, on the other hand, is ideal for daily programming and creating lightweight to moderately complex projects, web development, scripting, and any other simple tasks.
Visual Studio requires more storage, with a minimum of 850 MB to up to several GB, depending on installed features and workloads. This requirement often depends on the version and requirements of the project. Conversely, VS Code is a lightweight program because it occupies very little space and has very low demands on the computer. The best part is that it also consumes very few system resources.
Visual Studio offers a rich set of features, but its complexities lead to longer start times. This involves experiencing a heavy app overhead with longer compilation and launch times in certain cases. Conversely, VS Code is an excellent editor that has a very quick startup and minimal overhead.
When deciding between Visual Studio vs Visual Studio Code, you must make sure to consider your particular needs.
Conclusion
If your needs are more towards .NET development or C#, you must look forward to using Visual Studio. This unique IDE will be excellent for your requirements in such cases. However, if your needs are more towards cross-stack development, you must use Visual Studio Code for your requirements. The lightweight, straightforward, premium, feature-rich code editor will help you with all your business or system needs free of cost.
If you are still confused about the Visual Studio vs Visual Studio Code debate or are looking forward to leveraging your skills on both platforms, contact Hyqoo for further assistance. Register with us and connect with professionals well-versed in both VS and VS Studio Code to help you with your business growth.
Which platforms are better than Visual Studio Code?
The most well-known substitutes for and popular competitors to Visual Studio Code are Atom, Visual Studio, IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and WebStorm. These alternatives offer various customized features for different development needs, like advanced debugging and built-in version control.
Can I use both Visual Studio and VS Code?
Yes, you can easily install and utilize both Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code at the same time securely. However, it must be noted here that the source code editor, Visual Studio Code, is more compact yet effective than Visual Studio in most cases.
Should I start with Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code?
Visual Studio is suitable for projects that often require a very rich GUI, heavy memory space, and multiple project management needs. VS Code, on the other hand, is ideal for daily programming and creating lightweight to moderately complex projects. Sometimes, it can also help you work on scripting, web development, and any other simple tasks.
