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 for Windows
Looking for other Visual Studio Express-like programs? We've rounded up our favorites Visual Studio Express alternatives. Try any one of these fan favorites to see if they'll support your system and meet your specific needs.
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
Apache NetBeans
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxBSDA free, open-source Integrated Development Environment for software developers. You get all the tools you need to create professional desktop, enterprise, web, and...
Features:
- Java IDE
- Built-in Terminal
- Beauty and fluid interface
- Code completion
- Code formatting
- Embedded debugger
- GIT support
- IDE
- Multiple languages
- Refactoring
- Simple installation
- Automatic Indentation
- Compiled Language
- Cross-platform
- Support for FTP
- IDE
- Ide integration
- Java
- Php
- PHP IDE
- Ruby
- Source code history
- Support for SVN
- Syntax Highlighting
- Page refresh
MonoDevelop
FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinux.NET FrameworkXamarin StudioMonoDevelop enables developers to write desktop and web applications on Linux, Windows and Mac OS X. It also makes it easy to port .NET applications created with Visual...
Features:
- Code completion
- Intellisense
- Unity Integration
- Nuget
- Syntax Highlighting
- Visual Programming
- Web Development
Qt Creator
CommercialOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxBSDQt Creator is a cross-platform C++, JavaScript and QML integrated development environment which is part of the SDK for the Qt...
Features:
- Autocompletion
- Build system
- Visual studio intergration
- Code formatting
- Debugger
- IDE
- QT Based
- Refactoring
- Syntax Highlighting
SharpDevelop
FreeOpen SourceWindows.NET Framework#develop (short for SharpDevelop) is a free IDE for C#, VB.NET and Boo projects on Microsoft's .NET platform. It is open-source, and you can download both sourcecode...
Features:
- C# Scripting
- GUI Designer
- Nuget
- Web Development
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
Komodo IDE
FreemiumMacWindowsLinuxCode smarter and faster with Komodo IDE, the cross-platform professional development environment for dynamic languages and open technologies. Komodo's award-winning...
Features:
- Autocompletion
- Code completion
- Customizable
- Debugger
- Embedded debugger
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- IDE
- Multiple cursors
- Package Control
- Python IDE
- Syntax Highlighting
Xojo
CommercialMacWindowsLinuxReal Software and Real Studio are now Xojo. Create your own apps, like commercial or in house apps, games, utilities and more with Xojo! This object-oriented...
Features:
- GUI Designer
- IDE
- Rad
- Raspberry Pi Development
Cevelop
FreeMacWindowsLinuxThe C++ IDE for professional developers.
Features:
- Coding
- Developer Tools
- IDE
- Refactoring
- Unit Testing
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