DevToys vs Visual Studio Code: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between DevToys and Visual Studio Code comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Visual Studio Code is our overall pick for IDE & code editors workflows. Pick DevToys if you need developer tools.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
DevToys
Swiss Army knife for developers
Best for you if:
- • You need developer tools features specifically
- • Swiss army knife for developers
- • Offline tools for encoding and formatting
Visual Studio Code
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
Best for you if:
- • You need IDE & code editors features specifically
- • Free, open-source code editor by Microsoft
- • Extensive marketplace with thousands of extensions
| At a Glance |  DevToys |  Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Developer Tools | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | - | 4.8/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose DevToys or Visual Studio Code?
Choose DevToys if
Swiss Army knife for developers
- Free and open source
- 30+ built-in tools
- Works offline
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not IDE & code editors-shaped
Choose Visual Studio Code if
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
- Free and open source
- Huge extension ecosystem
- Cross-platform
- Your work is IDE & code editors-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
| Feature | DevToys | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.8/5 4,250 reviews |
| Categories | Developer ToolsProductivity | IDE & Code EditorsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
DevToys
Swiss Army knife for developers
Strengths
- +Free and open source
- +30+ built-in tools
- +Works offline
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Desktop only
- -No cloud sync
Key features
Visual Studio Code
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
Strengths
- +Free and open source
- +Huge extension ecosystem
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Can be resource heavy
- -Microsoft telemetry
Key features
Pricing: DevToys vs Visual Studio Code
| Plan | DevToys | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 Free | Free Free (Open Source) |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on DevToys pricing and Visual Studio Code pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: DevToys
Want the highest-rated option?
Visual Studio Code is rated 4.8/5. DevToys has no ratings yet.
Go with: Visual Studio Code
Value user reviews?
DevToys: no ratings yet. Visual Studio Code: 4,250 reviews (4.8/5).
Go with: Visual Studio Code
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
DevToys is a developer tools tool. Visual Studio Code is in IDE & code editors. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Visual Studio Code is rated 4.8/5; DevToys has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Visual Studio Code
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
DevToys
- Better fit for developer tools
The Bottom Line
Visual Studio Code is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DevToys or Visual Studio Code better?
Visual Studio Code is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are DevToys and Visual Studio Code used for?
DevToys: Swiss Army knife for developers. Visual Studio Code: Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages.
What does DevToys cost vs Visual Studio Code?
DevToys is completely free. Visual Studio Code is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.