Visual Studio Code vs Eclipse: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Visual Studio Code and Eclipse 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 Eclipse if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Visual Studio Code
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
Best for you if:
- • You want free and open source
- • You want huge extension ecosystem
Eclipse
Open-source IDE for Java and other languages
Best for you if:
- • You want free IDE
- • You want java standard
| At a Glance | Visual Studio Code | Eclipse |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Visual Studio Code or Eclipse?
Choose Visual Studio Code if
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
- You want free and open source
- You want huge extension ecosystem
Choose Eclipse if
Open-source IDE for Java and other languages
- You want free IDE
- You want java standard
| Feature | Visual Studio Code | Eclipse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 4,423 reviews | ★4.4/5 3,493 reviews |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsDeveloper Tools | IDE & Code EditorsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
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
Eclipse
Open-source IDE for Java and other languages
Eclipse's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free.
Strengths
- +Free IDE
- +Java standard
- +Many plugins
- +Enterprise proven
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -UI dated
- -Heavy and slow
- -Configuration complex
- -Declining popularity
- -IntelliJ better
Key features
Pricing: Visual Studio Code vs Eclipse
| Plan | Visual Studio Code | Eclipse |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free (Open Source) | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Visual Studio Code pricing and Eclipse pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Visual Studio Code
Want the highest-rated option?
Visual Studio Code: 4.7/5 (4,423 reviews). Eclipse: 4.4/5 (3,493 reviews).
Go with: Visual Studio Code
Value user reviews?
Visual Studio Code: 4,423 reviews (4.7/5). Eclipse: 3,493 reviews (4.4/5).
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?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Visual Studio Code is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Visual Studio Code
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (4,423 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Eclipse
- Choose if you want open-source IDE for Java and other languages
The Bottom Line
Visual Studio Code is our overall IDE & Code Editors pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Visual Studio Code or Eclipse better?
Visual Studio Code is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Visual Studio Code and Eclipse used for?
Visual Studio Code: Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages. Eclipse: Open-source IDE for Java and other languages.
What does Visual Studio Code cost vs Eclipse?
Visual Studio Code is completely free. Eclipse is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.