VS Code vs Vim
An honest comparison to help you choose
VS Code
Pros
- Intuitive graphical interface
- Massive extension marketplace
- Built-in Git integration
- IntelliSense code completion
- Integrated debugging
- Easy to learn and use
- Great for any language
Cons
- Higher memory usage (~300MB+)
- Slower startup than terminal editors
- Requires mouse/trackpad usage
- Electron-based (some consider bloated)
Best for: Most developers, especially those new to coding or working on large projects with multiple languages
Vim/Neovim
Pros
- Extremely fast and lightweight
- Available on any system
- Keyboard-only workflow (faster once learned)
- Highly customizable
- Works over SSH perfectly
- Never leaves the terminal
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Requires significant configuration
- Modal editing is unfamiliar
- Plugin management can be complex
Best for: Experienced developers who work heavily in the terminal, sysadmins, and those who value speed
Feature Comparison
| Feature | VS Code | Vim/Neovim |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Curve | Easy | Steep |
| Memory Usage | ~300MB | ~10MB |
| Startup Speed | Moderate | Instant |
| Extension Ecosystem | Excellent | Good |
| Remote Editing | Good (SSH ext) | Excellent |
| GUI Features | Full | None/Limited |
| Customization | Good | Unlimited |
| Built-in Features | Many | Minimal |
Our Verdict
VS Code is the practical choice for most developers - it's powerful, extensible, and easy to use. Vim is worth learning if you spend a lot of time in terminals or editing remote files, but requires significant time investment. Many developers use both: VS Code for projects, Vim for quick edits.