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Head-to-head · Text Editors

Visual Studio Code vs Vim

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Visual Studio Code #1 in Text Editors 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit site
Vim #6 in Text Editors 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Vim

Visual Studio Code leads on 0 checks, Vim on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreVisual Studio Code · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresVisual Studio Code · 4 of 5

Visual Studio Code scores higher on our rubric for text editors: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Visual Studio Code is the better fit for developers wanting the broadest free editor. Vim is the better fit for vim users wanting a mature free editor.

  • Visual Studio Code fits best

    Developers wanting the broadest free editor

  • Vim fits best

    Vim users wanting a mature free editor

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Visual Studio Code 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Vim 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Text Editors #6 in Text Editors
Best for Developers wanting the broadest free editor Vim users wanting a mature free editor
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Visual Studio Code 4/5 · Vim 3/5
Multi-cursor editing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Macro recording Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Column editing ✓ ✓
Large-file handling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Extension support ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms web, windows, macos, linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source access on desktop and in the browser
  • Multi-cursor editing, IntelliSense, navigation, debugging, and testing
  • Git, terminal, extensions, SSH, Dev Containers, and Codespaces support
  • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Macros, blockwise editing, windows, and buffers support precise workflows
  • Plugins, scripting, syntax highlighting, and filetype tools extend its scope
Cons
  • Focused on source-code work rather than general-purpose text editing
  • Optional AI features and agent workflows are not the core editor experience
  • Large files require confirmation and optimized handling
  • Modal editing can be less suitable for users who prefer conventional editors
  • Multi-cursor editing is not a built-in feature
  • Terminal and GUI options may appeal to different workflows unevenly
Our verdict

Visual Studio Code is a free, open-source source-code editor for developers working with individual files or complete projects. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web, making it suitable for people who move between desktop and…

Read the review →

Vim is a highly configurable, modal text editor for creating and changing text. It suits programmers and other users working with source code, configuration files, email, and general text. The editor runs in terminals and also offers…

Read the review →
  1. Visual Studio CodeText Editors 9.4Free plan
  2. VimText Editors 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Visual Studio Code — where it wins

    • Free, open-source access on desktop and in the browser
    • Multi-cursor editing, IntelliSense, navigation, debugging, and testing
    • Git, terminal, extensions, SSH, Dev Containers, and Codespaces support

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on source-code work rather than general-purpose text editing
    • Optional AI features and agent workflows are not the core editor experience
    • Large files require confirmation and optimized handling

  • Vim — where it wins

    • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Macros, blockwise editing, windows, and buffers support precise workflows
    • Plugins, scripting, syntax highlighting, and filetype tools extend its scope

    Where it doesn't

    • Modal editing can be less suitable for users who prefer conventional editors
    • Multi-cursor editing is not a built-in feature
    • Terminal and GUI options may appeal to different workflows unevenly
  • Visual Studio Code9.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source editor with broad development features across desktop and web.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Vim8.9/10 · Free plan

    A mature, free, open-source editor for users who prefer modal workflows.

    Visit VimFull verdict →

More comparisons

All text editors comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update