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Microsoft Editor vs Visual Studio Code

Microsoft Editor

microsoft.com

Visual Studio Code

code.visualstudio.com

Side by side

FigureMicrosoft EditorVisual Studio Code
Price from$0.83/moFree
Free plan—Yes
Free trialYes—
Open source——
WebYesYes
WindowsYesYes
macOSYesYes
Linux—Yes
Plans published161
Spec score · Text Editors8.6 (#13)9.0 (#3)
Free planYesYes
IntegrationsEditor is available in Word and Outlook, including Word for the web and the Word desktop app.The editor includes Git source control and can connect to GitHub Codespaces and remote development environments.
LanguagesEditor provides basic writing guidance in more than 20 languages and spelling suggestions in more than 80 languages.JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and HTML support are included, and extensions add support for other languages.
PrivacyFor Editor spelling and grammar checks in Edge, typed text is sent to a Microsoft cloud service, processed, and deleted after processing.VS Code collects telemetry, which users can disable with the telemetry.telemetryLevel setting; extensions may collect separate telemetry.

Plans

Microsoft Editor

  • Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99 a month
  • Microsoft 365 PersonalPriced on request
  • Microsoft 365 Family$12.99 a month
  • Microsoft 365 FamilyPriced on request
  • Microsoft 365 Business StandardPriced on request
  • Microsoft 365 Business PremiumPriced on request
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for businessPriced on request
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard (no Teams)Priced on request
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium (no Teams)Priced on request
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for business$10 a year

Microsoft Editor pricing →

Visual Studio Code

  • Visual Studio CodeFree

Visual Studio Code pricing →

In their own words

Microsoft Editor

Microsoft Editor checks spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation, with additional suggestions for clarity, conciseness, and formality. It is available as a browser extension and in Word and Outlook, including Word for the web and the desktop app. Editor provides basic writing guidance in more than 20 languages and spelling suggestions in more than 80; users can spell-check up to three languages at once. Its similarity checker can find document content resembling online text and help cite the original source. A free grammar checker covers basic spelling and grammar, while premium features are included with Microsoft 365 and are not sold separately as Editor premium. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family offers on the Editor page include a free one-month trial. Personal costs $9.99 a month, billed monthly; Family costs $12.99 a month, billed monthly. For spelling and grammar checks in Edge, typed text is processed by a Microsoft cloud service and deleted afterward; Basic spellcheck in Edge checks locally instead.

Visit microsoft.com

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is an open-source code editor with AI-assisted development features for macOS, Linux, Windows, and the web. It offers inline AI suggestions and intelligent completions, and its agent workflows can plan tasks, change code, run commands, and iterate. Users can switch between agent work and direct coding in the same editor. Agent workflows work with Copilot and third-party providers, and users can supply their own model key. The editor includes JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and HTML support; extensions add support for other languages. Its Marketplace lists more than 80,000 extensions. Built-in tools include Git source control, an integrated terminal, code running and debugging, build tasks, and local history. It connects to GitHub Codespaces and remote development environments, while Settings Sync and profiles help carry and organize customizations. The browser version has a limited execution environment. VS Code is free for private or commercial use at free. A GitHub account is required to start building with AI agents.

Visit code.visualstudio.com