Nova vs Visual Studio Code
Nova
nova.app
Visual Studio Code
code.visualstudio.comSide by side
| Figure | Nova | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.08/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · Front End Tools | 8.1 (#9) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Spec score · PHP IDEs | 8.2 (#8) | 8.2 (#9) |
| Spec score · Web Development IDEs | 8.1 (#19) | 8.2 (#18) |
| Spec score · Text Editors | 8.1 (#39) | 9.0 (#3) |
| Spec score · Code editors | 7.9 (#29) | 9.0 (#2) |
| Spec score · Editor Software | 7.9 (#22) | 8.1 (#17) |
| Column editing | Yes | Yes |
| Extensions | Nova extensions are written in JavaScript and can add language support, sidebars, themes, syntax colors, and validation. | The Visual Studio Marketplace lists more than 80,000 extensions. |
| Extension support | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Multi-cursor editing | Yes | Yes |
| Product | Nova is a full-featured, Mac-native code editor and IDE. | Visual Studio Code is a code editor with AI assisted development features. |
| Supported platforms | macOS | web,windows,macos,linux |
Plans
Nova
- Nova license$99 a month
- License renewal$49 a year
- Nova license renewal$49 a year
- Nova$99, paid once
In their own words
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.