IntelliJ IDEA vs Visual Studio Team Services: What are the differences?

Introduction

IntelliJ IDEA and Visual Studio Team Services are two popular tools used in software development, each with its own unique features and capabilities. In this comparison, we will highlight the key differences between the two.

1. Integration with IDEs: IntelliJ IDEA is primarily an Integrated Development Environment, while Visual Studio Team Services provides a comprehensive platform for collaborating on software projects. While IntelliJ IDEA offers integration with various IDEs, such as Android Studio and WebStorm, Visual Studio Team Services is specifically designed to work with Microsoft's Visual Studio IDE. This tight integration allows developers to seamlessly switch between the IDE and the collaboration platform, streamlining the development process.

2. Scalability and Flexibility: Visual Studio Team Services offers a wide range of features and tools that support scalable and distributed development teams. With its support for Git repositories and robust version control system, it is ideal for large-scale projects. Additionally, Visual Studio Team Services provides flexibility in terms of choosing the tools and frameworks, allowing developers to work with their preferred technologies. IntelliJ IDEA, on the other hand, is focused on providing a powerful and efficient development environment with features tailored for specific technologies and frameworks.

3. Built-in Issue Tracking and Project Management: While both IntelliJ IDEA and Visual Studio Team Services offer integration with popular issue tracking and project management tools, Visual Studio Team Services provides a built-in solution for these functionalities. It offers features like backlog management, sprint planning, and dashboards for tracking the progress of software projects. This integrated approach simplifies the development process by providing a centralized location for tracking and managing project tasks.

4. Collaboration and Communication: Visual Studio Team Services offers a dedicated platform for communication and collaboration among team members. It provides features like team rooms, chat, and notifications, allowing developers to interact and share information easily. While IntelliJ IDEA does offer some collaboration features, such as support for code reviews and remote pair programming, its focus is primarily on providing a powerful development environment rather than comprehensive collaboration capabilities.

5. Support for Multiple Platforms: IntelliJ IDEA supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for a wide range of developers. On the other hand, Visual Studio Team Services is a cloud-based platform and can be accessed from any web browser, providing cross-platform support.

6. Pricing Models: IntelliJ IDEA offers a variety of pricing models, including a free Community Edition and a paid Ultimate Edition. Visual Studio Team Services, on the other hand, offers a range of pricing options, including free plans for small teams, and paid plans with additional features and support. The pricing models for both tools are competitive and cater to the needs of different types of development teams.

In Summary, IntelliJ IDEA is primarily a powerful and efficient Integrated Development Environment, while Visual Studio Team Services is a comprehensive platform for collaborating on software projects, offering integration with Visual Studio IDE, scalability, flexibility, built-in issue tracking, project management, collaboration, communication capabilities, cross-platform support, and different pricing options.