Visual Studio Code
Microsoft's code editor, with official Linux installer files. The download from Microsoft is proprietary, not open source.
Our verdict
Visual Studio Code moves to Linux without drama. Microsoft supply the Linux installer files, and signing in with the same account brings your settings, extensions, keyboard shortcuts and theme straight across. Most people cannot tell which system they are on once it is open.
The point worth being precise about is the licence. The code behind the editor is open source, but the build Microsoft hands you is a proprietary product with Microsoft branding and telemetry, and some extensions are licensed only for that build. That is fine for most people, but it is not the same as the app store being full of free software.
Take the download from Microsoft's site or your distribution's own repository. The Flathub package is a repackaging that Microsoft does not support, and its own listing warns that the built-in terminal needs extra reading.
What's good
- Microsoft maintains proper Linux installer files for Ubuntu-style and Fedora-style systems
- Settings, extensions and themes sync across from Windows with one sign-in
- Free to download and use
- Extensions work the same as they did on Windows
What to know first
- The Microsoft build is proprietary, even though the underlying code is open source
- Sends usage data to Microsoft unless you turn it off
- The Flathub version is a repackaging Microsoft does not support, and its built-in terminal behaves differently
- Heavier than a simple text editor if all you want is to edit a file
The details
- Cost
- Free
- Open source
- No (Proprietary)
- How you install it
- .deb installer, .rpm installer, App store (Snap), App store (Flatpak), Built-in app store
Windows apps it can replace
Last checked . Sources: