Visual Studio Code
Microsoft's code editor with desktop and browser versions and integrated AI development tools.
Sources last checked 2026-09-29 · See individual evidence
What is Visual Studio Code?
Visual Studio Code is a code editor that combines editing with debugging, task running and version-control workflows. Microsoft provides desktop builds for Windows, macOS and Linux, alongside a browser-based edition. The core editor is free for private and commercial use.
AI features connect to separate model or Copilot arrangements, and can be disabled. The source code and the Microsoft distribution also have different licensing scopes: this listing represents the official downloadable product. Evaluate language support and required extensions using an actual repository before choosing it over a full IDE.
Based on official product documentation ↗When to consider Visual Studio Code
Typical uses based on its documented tools. Check the requirements of your own project.
- Editing application source code
- Running and debugging development tasks
- Working with version-controlled repositories
Strengths & considerations
What it offers
- Free core editor for personal and commercial projects.
- Debugging, task execution and version control support a development workflow.
- AI features can be disabled when they are not needed.
What to check
- Copilot or external model services have their own terms and allowances.
- The Microsoft binary uses its product license, distinct from the MIT source.
- Check required language tooling and extensions for your project.
Editorial guidance, not a hands-on review or a guarantee of compatibility.
Plans & pricing
Listed amounts use the source currency. Check billing commitments, taxes, region and edition limits before subscribing.
VS Code core editor
Free
Free for private or commercial use. Copilot and external model services are separate.
Checked 2026-09-29
Check official plan details ↗Features & capabilities
Verified capabilities may belong to different editions or optional services. Read the plan and source notes.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Open source
- No
- API
- Yes
- AI features
- Yes
- Commercial use
- Yes
6 other capabilities have not yet been verified
Unknown means we have no confirmed evidence for this field. It does not mean the product lacks the capability.
- Free trial
- Unknown
- Self-hosted
- Unknown
- Offline
- Unknown
- Cloud
- Unknown
- Beginner friendly
- Unknown
- Professional
- Unknown
Sources & verification
Verification applies only to the fields listed below. An unlisted feature or platform is unknown, not unsupported.
Visual Studio Code — official product information ↗
Official homepage provides Windows, macOS, Linux and web editions with AI coding tools. Open-source classification is scoped to the distributed binary.
Accessed 2026-09-21 · Verified 2026-09-21
Evidence fields (7)
description · aiFeatures · feature:code-editing · platform:windows · platform:macos · platform:linux · platform:web
VSCodium: VS Code distribution licensing ↗
Microsoft's official VS Code binaries use a non-FLOSS license; the underlying source is MIT. This record represents the Microsoft distribution.
Accessed 2026-09-21 · Verified 2026-09-21
Evidence fields (1)
openSource
Visual Studio Code — product and editorial review ↗
Microsoft FAQ supports cost, commercial use, editor functions and extension APIs. Distribution licensing is scoped separately from the underlying MIT source.
Accessed 2026-09-29 · Verified 2026-09-29
Evidence fields (11)
description · company · pros · cons · useCases · license · freePlan · commercialUse · apiAvailable · pricingModel · plan:base
Visual Studio Code — additional product documentation ↗
Microsoft FAQ supports cost, commercial use, editor functions and extension APIs. Distribution licensing is scoped separately from the underlying MIT source.
Accessed 2026-09-29 · Verified 2026-09-29
Evidence fields (3)
description · pros · cons
Consider these alternatives
Compare all ↗VSCodium
A community distribution of the VS Code editor, with MIT-licensed binaries and telemetry disabled.
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