There are not four equivalent open-source VS Code forks in the available evidence. VSCodium explicitly says it is not a fork; Cursor is a commercial AI editor; and Microsoft’s Code – OSS is the open-source source repository behind branded Visual Studio Code. Void does describe itself as an open-source VS Code fork, but its repository says active development is paused. These four projects offer different routes away from the default VS Code experience, not four interchangeable open-source replacements.
The most useful choice depends on what you want to change: VSCodium’s build configuration and extension registry, Cursor’s AI workflow, Void’s open-source approach, or Microsoft’s own Code – OSS foundation. Their documented differences are summarized below.
How these four VS Code-based options differ
| Option | What it is | Documented distinction |
|---|---|---|
| VSCodium | Community-configured binaries built from Microsoft’s VS Code source; the project says it is not a fork. | Telemetry is disabled in its builds, and it uses Open VSX rather than the Visual Studio Marketplace. Some extensions restricted to official VS Code builds may not work. |
| Cursor | A commercial editor based on the open-source VS Code project; it periodically merges upstream VS Code code. | AI features send code data to Cursor’s servers. Privacy mode promises that code data is not persisted, not that it stays on the computer. |
| Void | An open-source AI IDE that describes itself as a VS Code fork. | Its GitHub repository says active development is paused, with issues and pull requests not actively reviewed. |
| Code – OSS / Visual Studio Code | Code – OSS is Microsoft’s open-source repository; Visual Studio Code is Microsoft’s branded distribution. | Microsoft documents telemetry and online services in VS Code. Alternative products built on Code – OSS are not permitted to access the Visual Studio Marketplace. |
These descriptions reflect the linked project and Microsoft pages; they do not establish hands-on performance, feature parity, or a common support level. Product status and policies can change.
Choose by the change you want
Choose VSCodium for a community build with telemetry disabled
VSCodium’s repository describes scripts that clone Microsoft’s vscode source, customize product.json, and build distributable binaries. The project explicitly says, “This is not a fork.” It says the resulting binaries are MIT-licensed and telemetry is disabled. That makes VSCodium a community build and distribution, rather than an independent source-code fork.
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The main practical trade-off documented by the project is extensions. VSCodium uses Open VSX instead of Microsoft’s Visual Studio Marketplace, citing Microsoft’s Marketplace terms. Some extensions are restricted to official Visual Studio Code builds and may not work in VSCodium. Check the exact extensions your workflow depends on before switching. The project page lists downloads for Windows, macOS, and multiple GNU/Linux architectures; confirm current platform support on that page.
Choose Cursor if an AI-centered editor is the priority
Cursor describes itself as a fork of the open-source VS Code project and says it periodically merges upstream VS Code code. It is a commercial AI editor, not an open-source product merely because it is based on open-source code.
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Cursor’s security page says code data is sent to its servers to power AI features. Its privacy-mode guarantee is that code data is not persisted. That is a retention statement, not a promise that code never leaves your computer. Consider that distinction when deciding whether to use it with confidential or regulated code.
Consider Void only if its maintenance status suits your risk tolerance
Void calls itself an open-source AI IDE and a VS Code fork. However, its GitHub repository says the project is paused: maintainers are not actively reviewing issues and pull requests, although they will respond to inquiries about building and maintaining a version.
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A paused project may still be useful to someone willing to build or maintain it, but the cited status does not establish a release cadence, support commitment, or guaranteed roadmap. Check the repository’s current status before making Void a dependency for ongoing work.
Use Microsoft’s VS Code when its distribution and services fit
Microsoft distinguishes its branded Visual Studio Code distribution from the open-source Code – OSS repository. Microsoft’s FAQ says products built from Code – OSS alternatives are not permitted to access the Visual Studio Marketplace. Its telemetry documentation also describes telemetry and online services used by VS Code, including updates, extensions, Settings Sync, and Natural Language Search in Settings.
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Telemetry and online services are not the same thing as AI code processing. Microsoft’s documentation explains its product and services; it should not be assumed that every custom build behaves identically.
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Check these points before switching
- Verify what is open source. Code – OSS is the source repository; VSCodium supplies community-configured builds from Microsoft’s source; Cursor is commercial; Void describes itself as open source.
- Check the extension you need. Alternative Code – OSS products cannot access the Visual Studio Marketplace under Microsoft’s stated terms, and VSCodium warns that some official-build-restricted extensions may not work. Confirm availability and compatibility in the editor you plan to use.
- Separate telemetry from AI processing. VSCodium says telemetry is disabled in its builds. Cursor documents server-side code handling for AI features and a privacy-mode non-persistence guarantee. These are distinct claims and should not be generalized to every editor or extension.
- Assess maintenance before relying on a project. Void’s repository reports a pause in active work. For any project, review its current status and decide whether you can tolerate a slower response to bugs or compatibility changes.
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