VSCodium vs Visual Studio Code: What are the differences?

VSCodium and Visual Studio Code are both popular code editors used by developers. Let's explore the key differences between them.

1. Licensing: VSCodium is released under the MIT license, which allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software without any restrictions. On the other hand, Visual Studio Code is released under a proprietary license by Microsoft, which means there are some usage restrictions and limitations.

2. Branding and Telemetry: VSCodium differs from Visual Studio Code in terms of branding and telemetry. VSCodium is stripped of Microsoft branding and any telemetry or tracking features that may be present in Visual Studio Code. This makes VSCodium more privacy-focused, appealing to users who value privacy and open-source software without any tracking.

3. Extensions: Another difference is in the extensions available. While Visual Studio Code has a wide range of official and third-party extensions available through the Visual Studio Code Marketplace, VSCodium does not have direct access to the marketplace. However, VSCodium can still use extensions by manually installing them or through alternative extension repositories.

4. Update Frequency: VSCodium and Visual Studio Code also differ in terms of update frequency. Visual Studio Code is updated more frequently, often with new features and improvements, while VSCodium may not receive updates as frequently. This can be an important consideration for users who want access to the latest features and bug fixes.

5. Integrated Services and Features: Visual Studio Code offers integrated services and features that are not available in VSCodium. This includes Visual Studio LiveShare, which allows for collaborative editing and debugging, as well as the ability to easily connect to Azure services. These integrated features can be a significant advantage depending on the specific needs of the developer.

6. Support and Documentation: As an officially supported Microsoft product, Visual Studio Code has extensive support and documentation available. Users can access official Microsoft documentation, support forums, and other resources for assistance. While VSCodium also has community support, it may not have the same level of official support and documentation as Visual Studio Code.

In summary, VSCodium and Visual Studio Code are both popular code editors based on the same underlying source code, but they differ in their licensing and branding. VSCodium is essentially Visual Studio Code without Microsoft branding and telemetry, providing a fully open-source alternative for users who prioritize privacy and freedom.