Visual Studio Express Alternatives
Visual Studio Express
Microsoft Visual Studio Express is a set of integrated development environments developed by Microsoft as a freeware and registerware function-limited version of the non-free Microsoft Visual Studio. Express editions started with Visual Studio 2005.
Visual Studio Express Edition is one of the most popular platforms designed for passionate programmers. It can be used to develop desktop apps, Metro style programs and hardware drivers.
The GUI looks very familiar for users with plenty of experience in the programming department, but rookies are likely to experience headaches when opening this application.
Fortunately, there is a very helpful online community that's ready to come to your aid with tips and tricks, but you still must have some basic skills in a programming language.
Visual Studio Express Edition comes with features like multi-monitor support (so you can drag and drop documents from one monitor to another), zoom (in editors or diagrams), navigation (through files, code, variables and methods; more efficient than the common search function), as well as Intellisense (Visual Studio's intuitive feature that simplifies your coding experience).
Note: Visual Studio Express 2017 is only available for Windows Desktop developers, as UWP or Web editions will not be released, and it is the final version of Visual Studio Express product line (Visual Studio Express 2015 is the last complete edition). If you are looking for an updated alternative that is still in development, you may wish to try Visual Studio Community.
Best Visual Studio Express Alternatives
When deciding on the best Visual Studio Express alternative, consider these alternatives. Check out these other software with a similar interface and features as well.
Atom
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxChrome OSBSDElectron / Atom ShellExtensible, cross-platform text editor with a rich ecosystem of plugins and themes.
Features:
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- Customizable
- Support for Themes
- Community based
- Package Control
- GIT support
- Teletype
- GitHub integration
- Hackable
- Syntax Highlighting
- Autocompletion
- Clean design
- Code completion
- Collaborative writing
- Electron based
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- Folder Hierarchy
- Fuzzy Finder
- Gitlab integration
- Interior Design
- Live collaboration
- Minimap
- Modular System
- Multiple languages
- Multiple cursors
- Night mode/Dark Theme
- Distraction-free UI
- Package Manager
- Plugin API
- Plugin manager
- Real time collaboration
- Separated workspaces
- Support for NodeJS
- Tabbed interface
- Unit Testing
Visual Studio Code
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxChrome OSElectron / Atom ShellCode combines the streamlined UI of a modern editor with rich code assistance and navigation, and an integrated debugging experience – without the need for a full IDE.
Features:
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- Lightweight
- Built-in Terminal
- Autocompletion
- Intellisense
- Customizable
- Syntax Highlighting
- Code completion
- GIT support
- Plugins
- C++ support
- C# Scripting
- C support
- Graphical interface
- IDE
- Support for Javascript
- MarkDown support
- Multiple cursors
- Night mode/Dark Theme
- Ruby support
- Source code debugging
- Supports loads of file formats
- Supports Python
- Bugs
- Code formatting
- Code navigation
- Color coding of code
- Electron based
- Embedded debugger
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- Extensions
- Git integration
- Mercurial support
- Minimap
- PHP IDE
- Remote Debugging
- Run Android Apps on Desktop
- Support for NodeJS
- Version and Source control
VSCodium
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxElectron / Atom ShellBinary releases of Visual Studio Code without Microsoft branding, telemetry and licensing.
Features:
- FLOSS
- No Tracking
- Privacy-friendly
- Automatic Indentation
- Autocompletion
- Built-in Terminal
- Code completion
- Code navigation
- Color coding
- Customizable
- Embedded debugger
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- Git integration
- GIT support
- IDE
- Support for Javascript
- MarkDown support
- Minimap
- Multiple cursors
- PHP IDE
- Privacy Protected
- Syntax Highlighting
- Support for Themes
Upvote Comparison
Interest Trends
Visual Studio Express Reviews
Add your reviews & share your experience when using Visual Studio Express to the world. Your opinion will be useful to others who are looking for the best Visual Studio Express alternatives.