CodeRush

Overview

CodeRush brings code generation, refactoring, navigation, formatting, debugging, testing and code coverage into Visual Studio. That makes it a practical fit for developers who want routine code changes and test runs close to their editing workflow. It is less suitable if your work depends on an IDE outside its supported Visual Studio versions.

The extension supports Visual Studio 2026 and 2022. You can install it through Visual Studio Marketplace or Manage Extensions, and Visual Studio can update it automatically from Marketplace. DevExpress, the maker, traces its history to 1998 and is headquartered in Glendale, California.

Key features

Refactoring and code style

More than 100 refactorings and intelligent code providers give CodeRush meaningful scope for restructuring and cleaning up code, including project-level and batch refactoring. Refactoring is described for C#, Visual Basic and XAML; the broader supported-language set also includes Blazor, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML and Razor. Code style can be set for an individual developer, a solution or a team, and cleanup can run when documents are saved. Those controls help teams apply consistent conventions without making every cleanup a separate task.

Testing and AI

The test runner supports NUnit, MSTest (VS Testing), xUnit and MSpec without configuration, across .NET Core, .NET Framework and multi-target projects. This is useful for developers who want test execution alongside editing, while code coverage and debugging add further development tools in the same extension.

AiGen supports GitHub Copilot as a model provider and uses a GitHub OAuth token for Copilot API access. CodeRush documentation also says AI features require an OpenAI API key, while voice input requires an Azure Cognitive Services Speech API key. Those credentials are a meaningful setup consideration for anyone planning to use AI or voice features.

Pricing

The CodeRush plan costs 0.00 USD per free, and all versions are free for commercial use. Free and paid subscriptions have the same features and updates, so payment is not required to unlock the core tools. The trade-off is that technical support requires a paid subscription: CodeRush support is available to owners of DevExpress Universal, DXperience or CodeRush Ultimate subscriptions, while free users can search the support database. Free licenses also exclude source code.

The paid pricing note starts at $249.99/user/yr and includes a 30-day trial. That may suit developers who need the support access associated with a qualifying subscription, but the free plan is the more compelling fit if support and source code are not priorities. Minor updates are available for the displayed supported IDE range, while security updates are unavailable for that range, a consideration for teams weighing ongoing maintenance.

Platforms

CodeRush is delivered as a desktop extension and its listed platforms include Windows, macOS and Linux. Its IDE support is specifically Visual Studio 2026 and Visual Studio 2022, so the broader platform labels should not be taken to mean that every IDE or operating-system combination is supported.

Who it's for

CodeRush suits individual developers and teams who work in supported Visual Studio versions and want a broad coding toolkit, particularly for refactoring, shared code-style rules and .NET test running. Its no-cost commercial plan makes it viable even where a team cannot justify a per-user subscription. It is a weaker choice for users who require included source code, direct support without a qualifying subscription, or an AI workflow that avoids API-key setup.

Pros and cons

• Pro: More than 100 refactorings, plus project and batch operations, give developers substantial code-cleanup scope.
• Pro: Commercial use is free, with the same features and updates as paid subscriptions.
• Pro: The test runner supports four named frameworks without configuration and covers .NET Core, .NET Framework and multi-target projects.
• Con: Free users lack direct technical support and source code.
• Con: AI features involve API credentials, and security updates are unavailable for the displayed supported IDE range.
• Con: Its usefulness depends on working in supported Visual Studio versions.

Alternatives

ReSharper is worth considering if you want a non-commercial free option with C# support in VS Code and compatible editors, or prefer a freemium product with a trial. ast-grep is a free alternative if its listed API, web and extension platforms better fit your workflow. Roslynator offers free tools and extensions if that is the scope you need.

Sourcery may suit readers seeking AI reviews and PR summaries for public repositories through its free Open Source plan. Moderne is another option, with a Fully Managed Service plan priced at 1.00 USD per contact. Refrax, Scalafix and Comby are also alternatives to consider.

For broader comparisons, see Code Refactoring Tools and Cross-Browser Testing Software.

Verdict

Choose CodeRush if you work in Visual Studio and want extensive refactoring and practical test-running tools without paying for commercial use. Its strongest argument is that the free plan retains the same features and updates as paid subscriptions; look elsewhere if included source code, direct technical support or fewer API-key requirements matter more.