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Top Alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio

Looking for Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives? We've curated 34 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

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Eclipse

Eclipse

Open Source

Eclipse is a powerful, open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) widely used for Java development, but also supporting a variety of other programming languages through its extensive plugin ecosystem. It provides a robust set of tools for coding, debugging, testing, and deployment.

Key Features

  • Highly extensible with a vast plugin ecosystem
  • Strong support for Java development with robust tools
  • Open source and free to use

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Highly extensible with a vast plugin ecosystem compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA

Freemium

IntelliJ IDEA is a powerful Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed primarily for Java programming, but also supporting a wide range of other languages and frameworks. Renowned for its intelligent code assistance, developer-friendly features, and robust tooling, it accelerates development workflows and improves code quality.

Key Features

  • Industry-leading intelligent code assistance and analysis.
  • Excellent refactoring tools that improve code quality and maintainability.
  • Broad support for multiple programming languages and frameworks.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Industry-leading intelligent code assistance and analysis. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Code::Blocks

Code::Blocks

Open Source

Code::Blocks is a powerful, free, open-source integrated development environment (IDE) designed for C, C++, and Fortran programming. It offers extensive features for coding, debugging, and building applications across multiple operating systems, catering to both beginners and experienced developers.

Key Features

  • Free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone.
  • Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux).
  • Highly customizable interface and features.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Komodo Edit

Komodo Edit

Open Source

Komodo Edit is a powerful yet lightweight text editor specifically designed for dynamic programming languages. It offers a comprehensive suite of features for developers working with languages like Python, PHP, JavaScript, and Perl, providing smart editing tools, a customizable interface, and extensibility through plugins.

Key Features

  • Free and open source with no licensing costs.
  • Optimized with rich features for dynamic programming languages.
  • Lightweight and performant, suitable for various system configurations.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Free and open source with no licensing costs. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code

Open Source

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free, open-source, lightweight yet powerful source code editor developed by Microsoft. It supports a wide range of programming languages and offers robust features like debugging, intelligent code completion (IntelliSense), built-in Git control, and an extensive ecosystem of extensions for enhanced functionality. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, VS Code has become a popular choice for developers across various disciplines.

Key Features

  • Free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone.
  • Lightweight and fast performance.
  • Excellent built-in debugging capabilities.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Android Studio

Android Studio

Open Source

Android Studio is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development, providing a comprehensive suite of tools to accelerate development across all Android device types. Built on JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA, it offers world-class code editing, debugging, performance analysis, and an integrated emulator.

Key Features

  • Official and supported by Google.
  • Comprehensive feature set for the entire development lifecycle.
  • Excellent code editing and intelligent assistance features.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Official and supported by Google. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Xcode

Xcode

Free

Xcode is Apple's integrated development environment (IDE) for macOS, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for building applications for all Apple platforms, including macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. It offers powerful features like code completion, debugging tools, and a visual interface builder.

Key Features

  • Deep integration with Apple ecosystem and SDKs.
  • Comprehensive suite of development tools.
  • Excellent performance analysis capabilities with Instruments.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Deep integration with Apple ecosystem and SDKs. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Lazarus

Lazarus

Open Source

Lazarus is a powerful, free, and open-source visual IDE for rapid application development with Free Pascal. It provides a Delphi-like experience for creating cross-platform native applications across various operating systems.

Key Features

  • Free and open source with a strong community.
  • True cross-platform native code compilation.
  • Rapid application development with visual design.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Free and open source with a strong community. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
WebStorm

WebStorm

Commercial

WebStorm is a powerful JavaScript IDE from JetBrains, designed for modern web development. It offers advanced coding assistance for JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, alongside support for many related technologies like Node.js, React, Angular, and Vue.js. Its rich feature set includes smart code completion, error detection, refactoring, debugging, and integrated development tools.

Key Features

  • Highly intelligent code assistance and refactoring.
  • Excellent integrated debugging capabilities.
  • Deep support for modern JavaScript frameworks.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Highly intelligent code assistance and refactoring. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
PyCharm

PyCharm

Commercial

PyCharm is a powerful, cross-platform Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically designed for Python developers. It offers intelligent coding assistance, a wide range of developer tools, and deep integration with various development workflows, making it ideal for everything from small scripts to large-scale web applications.

Key Features

  • Highly intelligent code completion and analysis.
  • Powerful and integrated debugger.
  • Comprehensive set of development tools in one place.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Highly intelligent code completion and analysis. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
RStudio

RStudio

Open Source

RStudio is a powerful free and open-source integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for R, the premier language for statistical computing and data analysis. It provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies R coding, debugging, visualization, and reporting workflows, making it an essential tool for data scientists, statisticians, and researchers.

Key Features

  • Highly intuitive and user-friendly interface for R.
  • Excellent integrated debugger simplifies troubleshooting.
  • Seamless integration with R Markdown for reproducible reporting.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Highly intuitive and user-friendly interface for R. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Bloodshed Dev-C++

Bloodshed Dev-C++

Open Source

Bloodshed Dev-C++ was a robust free IDE for C and C++ programming in Windows. It provided a complete development environment with compiler, debugger, and editor, commonly used by students and enthusiasts.

Key Features

  • Integrated development environment with editor, compiler, and debugger.
  • Free to use.
  • Easy to set up for beginners.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Integrated development environment with editor, compiler, and debugger. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
KDevelop

KDevelop

Open Source

KDevelop is a powerful, free, and open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed for Unix-like systems, Windows, and macOS. It offers a robust set of features for a wide range of programming languages, including C++, Python, PHP, and more, making it a versatile tool for software developers.

Key Features

  • Free and Open Source
  • Extensive language support
  • Powerful debugger

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Free and Open Source compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
VSCodium

VSCodium

Open Source

VSCodium is a community-driven, freely licensed distribution of Microsoft's VS Code editor. It removes proprietary telemetry and tracking, providing a truly open-source alternative for developers who prioritize privacy and freedom.

Key Features

  • Completely free and open source
  • Removes Microsoft telemetry and tracking
  • Familiar and intuitive user interface

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Completely free and open source compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Delphi

Delphi

Commercial

Delphi is a powerful Object Pascal IDE and component library for developing native applications across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It emphasizes rapid application development with a focus on high-performance, compiled executables.

Key Features

  • Develop native applications for multiple platforms from a single codebase.
  • Generates high-performance compiled executables.
  • Powerful visual designer for rapid UI development.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Develop native applications for multiple platforms from a single codebase. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
CodeLite

CodeLite

Open Source

CodeLite is a free, open-source, and cross-platform Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed specifically for C, C++, PHP, and JavaScript (Node.js) development. It provides a feature-rich environment to streamline the coding process for these languages.

Key Features

  • Free and open-source
  • Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Good core features for supported languages (C, C++, PHP, JS)

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Free and open-source compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Qt Creator

Qt Creator

Open Source

Qt Creator is a powerful, cross-platform Integrated Development Environment (IDE) tailored for building applications with the Qt framework. It supports C++, QML, and JavaScript, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for designing UIs, writing code, debugging, and deploying software across various platforms.

Key Features

  • Excellent integration with the Qt Framework
  • Strong support for cross-platform development
  • Powerful visual UI design tools

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Excellent integration with the Qt Framework compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Orwell Dev-C++

Orwell Dev-C++

Open Source

Orwell Dev-C++ is a free, portable, and lightweight Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically designed for C and C++ programming. It provides a comprehensive set of tools including a compiler, debugger, and code editor, making it an accessible option for beginners and experienced developers alike. Its portability allows developers to carry their development environment on a USB drive.

Key Features

  • Free and Open Source, making it accessible to everyone.
  • Highly portable, allowing development on the go.
  • Lightweight with low system resource requirements.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Free and Open Source, making it accessible to everyone. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Anjuta

Anjuta

Open Source

Anjuta is a versatile integrated development environment (IDE) designed for the GNOME desktop environment, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for software development.

Key Features

  • Deep integration with the GNOME desktop environment.
  • Generally lightweight and performs well.
  • Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Deep integration with the GNOME desktop environment. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Zend Studio

Zend Studio

Commercial

Zend Studio is a comprehensive Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically designed for professional PHP developers. It offers a rich set of tools to streamline the development lifecycle for web and mobile applications.

Key Features

  • Excellent PHP code editing and completion.
  • Powerful integrated debugging capabilities.
  • Seamless integration with Zend Framework.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Excellent PHP code editing and completion. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
B4X

B4X

Commercial

B4X is a comprehensive suite of rapid application development IDEs designed for creating native, multi-platform applications for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and the web. It simplifies the development process by providing intuitive visual designers, a powerful language similar to Visual Basic, and access to native libraries without requiring complex native code.

Key Features

  • Develop native-performing apps across multiple platforms with a single language.
  • Rapid application development capabilities.
  • Direct access to native platform libraries.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Develop native-performing apps across multiple platforms with a single language. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
NVU

NVU

Open Source

Nvu is a discontinued, open-source WYSIWYG HTML editor. Based on the Mozilla Application Suite's Composer component, it provided a simple visual interface for creating web pages without needing extensive coding knowledge. It was a popular choice for beginners and non-programmers for basic website creation.

Key Features

  • Very easy to use for beginners with no coding experience.
  • WYSIWYG interface simplifies web page creation.
  • Integrated site management and FTP capabilities.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Very easy to use for beginners with no coding experience. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
RAD Studio

RAD Studio

Commercial

RAD Studio is a comprehensive integrated development environment (IDE) for building native applications across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. It supports development with both Delphi (Object Pascal) and C++.

Key Features

  • Rapid application development capabilities
  • Generates high-performance native code
  • Strong support for cross-platform development

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Rapid application development capabilities compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
OutSystems Platform

OutSystems Platform

Commercial

OutSystems is a leading low-code development platform designed for building enterprise-grade web and mobile applications rapidly. It provides an integrated environment covering the entire application lifecycle, from development and deployment to management and change.

Key Features

  • Accelerates application development significantly
  • Strong focus on enterprise scalability and security
  • Supports full application lifecycle management

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Accelerates application development significantly compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Projucer

Projucer

Freemium

Projucer is a powerful IDE and project management tool for C++ developers, particularly those working with the JUCE framework. It simplifies the creation, management, and deployment of cross-platform audio and plugin applications.

Key Features

  • Simplifies cross-platform C++ project setup for JUCE.
  • Streamlines audio plugin development for various formats.
  • Generates projects for major IDEs (Visual Studio, Xcode) and Makefiles.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Simplifies cross-platform C++ project setup for JUCE. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Appcelerator Titanium

Appcelerator Titanium

Open Source

Appcelerator Titanium is a powerful open-source framework designed for building native mobile applications from a single JavaScript codebase. It enables developers to leverage their existing web development skills to create high-performance, truly native user experiences across iOS and Android devices.

Key Features

  • Develop native apps for iOS and Android with JavaScript
  • Achieve true native performance and look and feel
  • Faster development cycle compared to separate native codebases

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Develop native apps for iOS and Android with JavaScript compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
NuSphere PhpEd

NuSphere PhpEd

Commercial

NuSphere PhpED is a robust integrated development environment (IDE) specifically tailored for web development with strong support for PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for writing, debugging, and deploying web applications efficiently.

Key Features

  • Robust integrated debugger is highly effective for troubleshooting.
  • Comprehensive support for PHP development with specialized tools.
  • Integrated FTP client and database tools streamline workflow.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Robust integrated debugger is highly effective for troubleshooting. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Editra

Editra

Open Source

Editra is a robust, cross-platform text editor designed with developers in mind. It's open-source, highly customizable through plugins, and features essential tools for coding like syntax highlighting, code completion, and an embedded terminal.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable through plugins.
  • Seamlessly works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Includes an integrated terminal for convenience.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Highly customizable through plugins. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
CLion

CLion

Commercial

CLion is a powerful, cross-platform Integrated Development Environment (IDE) meticulously crafted for C and C++ development. Offering intelligent code assistance, integrated debugging, and robust build system support, it streamlines the development workflow across various operating systems, making it a top choice for professional C/C++ developers.

Key Features

  • Highly intelligent code completion and analysis for C/C++.
  • Powerful integrated debugger.
  • Excellent refactoring capabilities.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Highly intelligent code completion and analysis for C/C++. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Ultimate++

Ultimate++

Open Source

Ultimate++ is a C++ cross-platform rapid application development framework designed to maximize programmer productivity. It includes a feature-rich IDE and a tightly integrated set of libraries, enabling efficient development of sophisticated desktop applications across multiple operating systems.

Key Features

  • Highly productive due to integrated IDE and RAD focus.
  • Clean and consistent API simplifies development.
  • Fast build system speeds up iteration.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Highly productive due to integrated IDE and RAD focus. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
My Visual Database

My Visual Database

Commercial

My Visual Database is an intuitive development environment designed for creating Windows database applications without the need for extensive programming knowledge. It allows users to build everything from simple contact lists to complex business systems.

Key Features

  • Easy to use for non-programmers.
  • Visual interface simplifies application design.
  • Built-in database is convenient for small applications.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Easy to use for non-programmers. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
Microsoft Expression Blend

Microsoft Expression Blend, now integrated into Visual Studio as Blend for Visual Studio, is a powerful user interface design tool primarily used for creating visually stunning interfaces for desktop and web applications using XAML and HTML.

Key Features

  • Excellent visual editor for XAML-based UIs
  • Powerful tools for animation and interactivity
  • Seamless integration with Visual Studio

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Excellent visual editor for XAML-based UIs compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
GNOME Builder

GNOME Builder

Open Source

GNOME Builder is a modern, powerful, and user-friendly Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed specifically for the GNOME desktop. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for developing applications, websites, and other projects, with a strong focus on simplicity and integration within the GNOME ecosystem.

Key Features

  • Seamless integration with the GNOME desktop environment.
  • Clean, modern, and user-friendly interface.
  • Good performance and lightweight compared to some other IDEs.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Seamless integration with the GNOME desktop environment. compared to Microsoft Visual Studio
CodeTyphon

CodeTyphon

Open Source

CodeTyphon is a comprehensive Pascal programming environment designed for rapid application development across multiple platforms. It extends the capabilities of Lazarus and Free Pascal, offering a rich set of tools for building native, visual, and cross-platform applications for various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android.

Key Features

  • Native cross-platform development (Windows, Linux, macOS, Android).
  • Powerful visual GUI designer for rapid application development.
  • Generates highly optimized native code.

vs Microsoft Visual Studio

Native cross-platform development (Windows, Linux, macOS, Android). compared to Microsoft Visual Studio

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