IntelliJ IDEA vs Visual Studio Code: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for IntelliJ IDEA and Visual Studio Code side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
IntelliJ IDEA
The capable & ergonomic Java IDE
Best for you if:
- • You want best Java IDE
Visual Studio Code
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (IntelliJ IDEA requires payment)
| At a Glance | IntelliJ IDEA | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $599/year Ultimate plan | Free 100% free |
Category | IDE & Code Editors Developer Tools | IDE & Code Editors Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.7 3,653 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.7 · Trustpilot 3.7 2,732 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Plugin ecosystem is free, but some premium plugins (Database Tools, AI Assistant Pro) are bundled only with Ultimate | n/a |
Choose IntelliJ IDEA or Visual Studio Code?
Choose IntelliJ IDEA if
- You want best Java IDE
- You want smart completions
Choose Visual Studio Code if
- You want a fully free tool (IntelliJ IDEA requires payment)
- You want free and open source
- You want huge extension ecosystem
In-Depth Analysis
IntelliJ IDEA
The capable & ergonomic Java IDE
IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is the best free Java IDE available, it covers core Java, Kotlin, Gradle, and Maven with full refactoring support.
Watch out
Plugin ecosystem is free, but some premium plugins (Database Tools, AI Assistant Pro) are bundled only with Ultimate
Strengths
- Pro: Best Java IDE
- Pro: Smart completions
- Pro: Refactoring tools
Weaknesses
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Expensive Ultimate
Key features
Visual Studio Code
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
Visual Studio Code's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it offers a full-featured, open-source IDE completely free of charge.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and open source
- Pro: Huge extension ecosystem
- Pro: Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be resource heavy
- Con: Microsoft telemetry
Key features
Plans and prices: IntelliJ IDEA vs Visual Studio Code
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IntelliJ IDEA |
| jetbrains.com/idea read Sep 30, 2026 |
| Visual Studio Code |
| code.visualstudio.com read Oct 15, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on IntelliJ IDEA pricing and Visual Studio Code pricing.
Key Takeaways
IntelliJ IDEA
- Choose if you want the capable & ergonomic Java IDE
Visual Studio Code
- Choose if you want fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 3,653 reviews for IntelliJ IDEA, 4.6/5 from 2,732 reviews for Visual Studio Code).
- IntelliJ IDEA starts at $599/year; Visual Studio Code has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do IntelliJ IDEA and Visual Studio Code compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 3,653 reviews for IntelliJ IDEA, 4.6/5 from 2,732 reviews for Visual Studio Code). IntelliJ IDEA starts at $599/year; Visual Studio Code has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are IntelliJ IDEA and Visual Studio Code used for?
IntelliJ IDEA: The capable & ergonomic Java IDE. Visual Studio Code: Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages.
What does IntelliJ IDEA cost vs Visual Studio Code?
IntelliJ IDEA's cheapest paid plan is Ultimate at $599/year; it also has a free plan. Visual Studio Code is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 15, 2026.
What's the main difference between IntelliJ IDEA and Visual Studio Code?
IntelliJ IDEA's main strength: best Java IDE. Visual Studio Code's main strength: free and open source.