BBEdit vs Visual Studio Code: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will compare the key differences between BBEdit and Visual Studio Code. Both BBEdit and Visual Studio Code are popular text editors used by developers for coding and editing text files. However, there are several differences that set them apart from each other.

1. Customization and Extensibility: Visual Studio Code provides a highly customizable and extensible platform with a wide range of extensions and themes. Users can customize the editor's layout, preferences, and keybindings according to their requirements. On the other hand, BBEdit has limited customization options and a smaller collection of plugins and extensions available.

2. Operating System Compatibility: BBEdit is primarily designed for macOS and lacks official support for other operating systems. In contrast, Visual Studio Code is a cross-platform editor that is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes Visual Studio Code a more versatile choice for developers who work on different platforms.

3. Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Features: Visual Studio Code provides a set of powerful development tools such as integrated terminal, debugging capabilities, and built-in Git integration. These features make it easier for developers to write, test, and debug code within a single editor. On the other hand, BBEdit focuses more on being a lightweight and efficient text editor, lacking some of the advanced IDE features provided by Visual Studio Code.

4. Price and Licensing: BBEdit offers a paid license for its full-featured version, while also providing a limited free version with some restrictions. Visual Studio Code, on the other hand, is completely free and open source, making it an economical choice for developers and organizations.

5. Community and Ecosystem: Visual Studio Code has a larger and more active community of users and developers, leading to a wider range of resources, tutorials, and community-built extensions. Additionally, Microsoft actively maintains and updates Visual Studio Code, constantly adding new features and improvements based on user feedback. BBEdit, although popular among macOS users, has a smaller community and ecosystem in comparison.

6. User Interface: BBEdit has a minimalistic and straightforward user interface, which appeals to users who prefer a clean and distraction-free writing environment. Visual Studio Code offers a more feature-rich and modern interface, with various panes, panels, and a dedicated sidebar for easy navigation and access to different editor functionalities.

In summary, Visual Studio Code offers a highly customizable and extensible platform, operating system compatibility, powerful IDE features, and a larger community and ecosystem compared to BBEdit. On the other hand, BBEdit provides a simple and efficient text editing experience with a minimalistic user interface. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of the developers.