PyCharm 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 PyCharm 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:
PyCharm
JetBrains IDE for Python development
Best for you if:
- • You want best Python IDE
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)
| At a Glance | PyCharm | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $249/year Pro 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 1,158 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.7 · Trustpilot 3.7 2,732 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Commercial licenses are per-seat and non-transferable between users. If a developer leaves, you cannot reassign the license to a new hire until the current billing period ends. | n/a |
Choose PyCharm or Visual Studio Code?
Choose PyCharm if
- You want best Python IDE
- You want excellent Django/Flask support
Choose Visual Studio Code if
- You want a fully free tool (PyCharm requires payment)
- You want free and open source
- You want huge extension ecosystem
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
Commercial licenses are per-seat and non-transferable between users. If a developer leaves, you cannot reassign the license to a new hire until the current billing period ends.
Strengths
- Pro: Best Python IDE
- Pro: Excellent Django/Flask support
- Pro: Built-in testing tools
- Pro: Database and SQL tools
- Pro: Community edition free
Weaknesses
- Con: Heavy on system resources
- Con: Professional features expensive
- Con: Slow startup
- Con: Overkill for simple scripts
- Con: 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
- 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: PyCharm vs Visual Studio Code
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PyCharm |
| jetbrains.com/pycharm read Oct 3, 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 PyCharm pricing and Visual Studio Code pricing.
Key Takeaways
PyCharm
- Choose if you want JetBrains IDE for Python development
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 1,158 reviews for PyCharm, 4.6/5 from 2,732 reviews for Visual Studio Code).
- PyCharm starts at $249/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 PyCharm 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 1,158 reviews for PyCharm, 4.6/5 from 2,732 reviews for Visual Studio Code). PyCharm starts at $249/year; Visual Studio Code has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
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's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $249/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 PyCharm and Visual Studio Code?
PyCharm's main strength: best Python IDE. Visual Studio Code's main strength: free and open source.