Microsoft Visual Studio Alternatives

Microsoft Visual Studio is described as 'IDE used to create programs, apps, websites, and web services using various frameworks. It supports multiple languages and offers tools for coding, debugging, and design' and is a leading IDE in the development category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD and Web-based apps. The best Microsoft Visual Studio alternative is Visual Studio Code, which is free. Other great apps like Microsoft Visual Studio are Eclipse, VSCodium, MonoDevelop and Apache NetBeans.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives are mainly IDEs, but if you're looking for Code Editors or Text Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Linux, Mac, Open Source, Android, Android Tablet and iPad. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio.
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Microsoft Visual Studio alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Windsurf Editor icon
     33 likes

    Windsurf Editor is an IDE merging AI and developers for lockstep collaboration with Cascade capabilities, boosting speed and contextual coding through copilot and agent-like systems across Mac, Windows, and Linux.

    63 Windsurf Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  2. CLion icon
     55 likes

    The intelligent cross-platform C/C++ IDE. CLion is a new IDE that helps you be more productive while developing apps with C and C++ for Windows, Linux and OS X. Take advantage of proven JetBrains expertise in code quality, efficient code navigation, smart code completion...

    17 CLion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
     
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    3
    18
    Comments about CLion as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Greenskid
    Positive
    1

    Its cross platform and bring the benefits of the JetBrains IDE platform which is well polished and powerful.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    For its young age it is well matured and a very powerful IDE with great CMake Support and other goodies like great refactoring tools and a sophisticated code-completion system.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Is actually designed for the same use cases as Visual Studio, while improving on VS's code completion, plugin support, and build and deployment features.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    CLion icon
    CLion icon
    • Most users think CLion is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • CLion is Free Personal and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visual Studio is also Free Personal and Proprietary
    • CLion is CustomizableMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
  3. WebStorm icon
     134 likes

    JetBrains WebStorm is a commercial IDE for JavaScript, CSS & HTML built on JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA platform.

    55 WebStorm alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    8
  4. RStudio icon
     132 likes

    RStudio™ is an integrated development environment (IDE) for R. RStudio combines an intuitive user interface with powerful coding tools to help you get the most out of R.

    60 RStudio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Xfce
     
  5. Trae icon
     14 likes

    Trae is an adaptive AI IDE that transforms how you work, collaborating with you to run faster.

    36 Trae alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  6. Xcode icon
     157 likes

    Xcode 14 includes everything you need to develop, test, and distribute apps across all Apple platforms. Leverage the simplicity and power of Swift and SwiftUI with a new multiplatform app experience, code faster with enhanced editor features, and start testing and deploying from...

    52 Xcode alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  7. KDevelop icon
     81 likes

    A cross-platform IDE for C, C++, Python, QML/JavaScript and PHP.

    51 KDevelop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
     
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    1
    6
    Comments about KDevelop as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Its easy to use but syntax highlighting might be weird sometimes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    KDevelop icon
    KDevelop icon
    • Most users think KDevelop is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • KDevelop is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • KDevelop is LightweightMicrosoft Visual Studio is not according to our users
  8. Arduino IDE icon
     78 likes

    Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

    25 Arduino IDE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Haiku
     
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    1
    Comments about Arduino IDE as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Arduino IDE is intended towards electronics prototyping. Whereas MSVS is for software development in general.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Arduino IDE icon
    Arduino IDE icon
    • This alternative is disputed. Arduino IDE is a legitimate Microsoft Visual Studio alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Arduino IDE is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
  9. Delphi icon
     60 likes

    Embarcadero Delphi, formerly CodeGear Delphi and Borland Delphi, is a software development environment for Microsoft Windows applications originally developed by Borland and now owned and developed by Embarcadero Technologies.

    41 Delphi alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    1
    8
    Comments about Delphi as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    it have a lot of features, it provide fire monkey cross platform user interface. fmx can use 3d in forms. it have also a community edition!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Delphi icon
    Delphi icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Delphi is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • Delphi is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
  10. Notepad.exe icon
     5 likes

    Lightweight macOS code editor. Skip the setup, write code, run instantly. Built-in iOS simulator, AI assistance, and Linux support.

    51 Notepad.exe alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  11. Phoenix Code icon
     10 likes

    Phoenix Code is a text editor designed to make coding as intuitive and fun as playing a video game - specially crafted for web developers, designers, and students.

    36 Phoenix Code alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
     
  12. Bloodshed Dev-C++ is a full-featured Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the C/C++ programming language. It uses Mingw port of GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) as it's compiler. Dev-C++ can also be used in combination with Cygwin or any other GCC based compiler.

    43 Bloodshed Dev-C++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
    |
    1
    11
    Comments about Bloodshed Dev-C++ as an Alternative to Microsoft Visual Studio
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    It is one of the best C/C++ IDEs out there, I've been using it for 2 years now and it has yet to dissapoint me.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Bloodshed Dev-C++ icon
    Bloodshed Dev-C++ icon
    • Most users think Bloodshed Dev-C++ is a great Microsoft Visual Studio alternative.

    • Bloodshed Dev-C++ is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visual Studio is Free Personal and Proprietary
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