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Is VS Code Worth It in 2026? Our Honest Verdict
Recommended
VS Code: VS Code is the most important developer tool of the decade.
Rating★ 4.7/5
Starting priceFree
Best forEvery developer. It is free, powerful, a
CategoryDeveloper Tools
Who VS Code Is Worth It For
- ✓Every developer. It is free, powerful, and the ecosystem is unmatched.
- ✓Completely free with no paid tiers or premium features
- ✓Largest extension marketplace with 50,000+ options
- ✓Remote Development enables coding anywhere
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- ✕Not ideal for developers who prefer opinionated, language-specific ides like jetbrains for deep language support.
- ✕Extension quality varies — some are abandoned or buggy
- ✕Can become slow with too many extensions installed
- ✕Less deep language support than JetBrains for specific languages
Is VS Code Pricing Fair?
| Tier | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | Fully free and open source |
Pricing verified March 2026.
How VS Code Compares
| VS Code | Dify | AssemblyAI | Clerk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $59/mo | $0.37/hour | $25/mo |
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.9 |
| Verdict | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
AICores Verdict on VS Code
VS Code is the most important developer tool of the decade. Free, extensible, and powerful enough for any project. The extension ecosystem ensures it stays relevant regardless of what languages or frameworks emerge. Every developer should know VS Code even if they prefer other editors.
AICores Editorial Review
Reviewed by AICores Editorial Team
Last updated: May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VS Code worth the money?▼
VS Code is the most important developer tool of the decade. Free, extensible, and powerful enough for any project. The extension ecosystem ensures it stays relevant regardless of what languages or frameworks emerge.
Is there a free version of VS Code?▼
Yes, VS Code offers a free tier. Paid plans start at varying prices and include additional features and capacity.
What are the best alternatives to VS Code?▼
Dify, AssemblyAI, Clerk are the top alternatives. Dify is best for teams building llm-powered applications who want a visual development platform and has a 4.9 star rating.
Who should NOT use VS Code?▼
VS Code is not ideal for developers who prefer opinionated, language-specific ides like jetbrains for deep language support.. Common drawbacks include: Extension quality varies — some are abandoned or buggy. Can become slow with too many extensions installed.