PyCharm vs Visual Studio Code: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between PyCharm 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 IDE & Code Editors pick. Pick PyCharm if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
PyCharm
JetBrains IDE for Python development
Best for you if:
- • You want best Python IDE
- • You want excellent Django/Flask support
Visual Studio Code
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (PyCharm requires payment)
- • You want free and open source
- • You want huge extension ecosystem
| At a Glance | PyCharm | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose PyCharm or Visual Studio Code?
Choose PyCharm if
JetBrains IDE for Python development
- You want best Python IDE
- You want excellent Django/Flask support
Choose Visual Studio Code if
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
- You want a fully free tool (PyCharm requires payment)
- You want free and open source
- You want huge extension ecosystem
| Feature | PyCharm | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.1/5 1,226 reviews | ★4.6/5 2,732 reviews |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsDeveloper Tools | IDE & Code EditorsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
PyCharm
JetBrains IDE for Python development
PyCharm unified its Community and Professional editions in 2025 into a single app with a generous free tier and a Pro subscription.
Watch out
JetBrains raised IDE prices in October 2025. First-year individual pricing went from ~$89 to ~$99/year, with proportional increases across all tiers. Existing subscribers who renewed before the deadline locked in old rates for up to 3 years.
Strengths
- +Best Python IDE
- +Excellent Django/Flask support
- +Built-in testing tools
- +Database and SQL tools
- +Community edition free
Weaknesses
- -Heavy on system resources
- -Professional features expensive
- -Slow startup
- -Overkill for simple scripts
- -Indexing can hang
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
- +Free and open source
- +Huge extension ecosystem
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Can be resource heavy
- -Microsoft telemetry
Key features
Pricing: PyCharm vs Visual Studio Code
| Plan | PyCharm | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free (Open Source) |
| Tier 2 | $249 year Pro | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on PyCharm pricing and Visual Studio Code pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Visual Studio Code is free. PyCharm is freemium.
Go with: Visual Studio Code
Want the highest-rated option?
PyCharm: 4.1/5 (1,226 reviews). Visual Studio Code: 4.6/5 (2,732 reviews).
Go with: Visual Studio Code
Value user reviews?
PyCharm: 1,226 reviews (4.1/5). Visual Studio Code: 2,732 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Visual Studio Code
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
PyCharm is freemium. Visual Studio Code is free. Go with Visual Studio Code if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Visual Studio Code is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.1/5.
Key Takeaways
Visual Studio Code
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.1/5
- Larger review base (2,732 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
PyCharm
- Choose if you want jetBrains IDE for Python development
The Bottom Line
Visual Studio Code is our overall IDE & Code Editors pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PyCharm or Visual Studio Code better?
Visual Studio Code is rated in our evaluation. PyCharm is freemium and Visual Studio Code is free.
What are PyCharm and Visual Studio Code used for?
PyCharm: JetBrains IDE for Python development. Visual Studio Code: Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages.
What does PyCharm cost vs Visual Studio Code?
PyCharm is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visual Studio Code is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.