Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Yes. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is free to download and use for personal and commercial software development. The desktop editor has no purchase price, mandatory subscription, or trial expiry. However, extensions, AI assistants such as GitHub Copilot, cloud development environments, and external APIs can have separate prices and licenses.
Microsoft’s FAQ confirms free private and commercial use: VS Code FAQ.
What is free in VS Code?
VS Code is Microsoft’s extensible code editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can download the editor, open local files and folders, use its terminal, integrate Git, run many debugging workflows, and install extensions without paying Microsoft for the editor itself. The official setup documentation is at code.visualstudio.com/docs/getstarted/overview.
Basic local use does not require a Microsoft or GitHub account. You can install VS Code, skip sign-in, and edit code normally. A language runtime, compiler, SDK, debugger, package manager, database, or hosting account may still need to be installed or paid for separately; VS Code does not provide every development tool automatically.
#1 Best Overall
What does “free” include—and what does it not include?
| Component | Free? | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| VS Code desktop editor | Yes | Free for private and commercial use under Microsoft’s product terms. |
| Local editing, terminal, Git and built-in integrations | Generally yes | Your language toolchain and other software may have separate requirements. |
| Extensions | Sometimes | Each publisher sets its own price, license, account and data terms. |
| GitHub Copilot | Limited free tier | Copilot is separate from VS Code; paid plans add capacity and features. |
| Remote or cloud development | Not necessarily | Compute, storage, servers, APIs and hosted environments can cost money. |
| Telemetry | No separate charge | VS Code telemetry can be disabled; extensions may collect data independently. |
Can businesses use VS Code commercially?
Yes. Microsoft states that VS Code is free for commercial use, and its license permits developing and testing applications, including deployment within an internal corporate network. A freelancer can build paid client websites, a company can install it on employee computers, and a developer can create software that is sold commercially.
This permission applies to the editor. It does not automatically relicense your source code, dependencies, extensions, libraries, APIs or cloud services. Businesses should review those components separately, along with security, privacy and procurement requirements. See the Visual Studio Code License.
Is VS Code open source?
VS Code is a free, open-source-based editor, but two licensing statements must not be conflated:
- The source repository is published under the MIT license: VS Code repository license.
- The Microsoft-distributed application is governed by Microsoft’s separate product license: Microsoft license terms.
That distinction matters for redistribution, branding, telemetry and the components included in Microsoft’s binary build. It also means “VS Code is MIT-licensed” is an incomplete description of the official download.
Rank #2
Is GitHub Copilot included with VS Code?
No. VS Code and GitHub Copilot are separate products. You can use the editor without Copilot, but Copilot adds online AI coding features and requires a GitHub account. Setup information is available at VS Code Copilot setup.
As listed by GitHub on August 18, 2026, the individual and organization plans were:
| Plan | Listed price | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot Free | $0 | Limited plan; the pricing page listed 2,000 code completions per month and limited chat or agent use. |
| Copilot Pro | $10 per user/month | Paid individual plan; allowances and included models can change. |
| Copilot Pro+ | $39 per user/month | Higher individual access and allowances, subject to current terms. |
| Copilot Max | $100 per user/month | Higher-tier individual plan; verify current limits before subscribing. |
| Copilot Business | $19 per user/month | Organization plan; see GitHub billing documentation. |
| Copilot Enterprise | $39 per user/month | Organization plan with enterprise controls; terms and allowances can change. |
Check the current Copilot plans, plan documentation and individual usage-billing guidance before purchase. Copilot Free is limited, not unlimited, and is not required to use VS Code.
Using VS Code without Copilot
- Install VS Code from the official documentation.
- Skip GitHub sign-in and do not enable Copilot when prompted.
- Use editing, the terminal, source control, debugging and non-AI extensions normally.
If AI features are already visible, use the Chat menu’s Learn How to Hide AI Features action or the relevant settings described in the FAQ.
Do VS Code extensions cost money?
Installing an extension through the Marketplace does not make Microsoft charge you, but the extension itself may be free, open source, subscription-based, trial-based or enterprise-licensed. It may also require a paid API, cloud account or separate commercial permission.
Before installing one, check its Marketplace license field, privacy policy, account requirements, data-sharing behavior and commercial-use terms. Microsoft’s license terms explain that Marketplace and third-party packages are governed by separate agreements; Microsoft does not license every package under the core VS Code agreement.
Can you use VS Code offline?
Yes, local editing, navigation and many language features can work without a paid service or account. Internet access is still commonly needed for updates, Marketplace searches and extension installation, Settings Sync, AI features, language services and remote connections. Cloud environments, hosted databases, private registries and APIs can add their own charges.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Therefore, “free offline editor” does not mean every VS Code workflow is permanently offline or cost-free.
Does VS Code collect telemetry?
VS Code collects crash reports, error telemetry and usage data to improve the product. You can reduce or disable VS Code telemetry:
- Open File > Preferences > Settings on Windows or Linux, or Code > Settings > Settings on macOS.
- Search for
telemetry. - Set Telemetry: Telemetry Level to off.
The equivalent setting is:
{
"telemetry.telemetryLevel": "off"
}See VS Code telemetry documentation. This controls VS Code telemetry, not necessarily collection by extensions or external AI and cloud services.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.VS Code versus Visual Studio
These are different products. VS Code is a lightweight, extensible editor with built-in support for tasks such as source control, debugging and task running. Visual Studio is a fuller IDE, especially for .NET, Windows, C++ and enterprise workflows. Their editions and licensing rules differ, so do not apply the answer for one product to the other. Microsoft’s distinction is covered in the VS Code FAQ.
Recommended Free Tools
| Option | Best suited to | Cost question |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio | Integrated Microsoft and enterprise development | Evaluate the edition’s own terms. |
| JetBrains IDEs | Language-focused, integrated IDE workflows | Paid licensing is central to many products. |
| Neovim or Vim | Keyboard-driven terminal editing and customization | Free software, usually requiring more setup. |
| Cursor or Windsurf | AI-first coding workflows | Check each vendor’s current plans separately. |
What businesses should check
- Extension and dependency licenses, including commercial restrictions.
- Whether an extension or AI service sends source code or metadata to a third party.
- Copilot seat pricing, usage limits and organization controls.
- Corporate policies for telemetry, accounts, remote access and cloud storage.
- Whether the chosen compiler, SDK, runtime, API or hosting platform has its own fees.
GitHub Codespaces is a separate cloud development service; compute and storage allowances or charges do not become free merely because you use VS Code: GitHub Codespaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VS Code free forever?
The current desktop editor is free under Microsoft’s current licensing terms. That is not a promise that future terms can never change.
Do I need a Microsoft account to use VS Code?
No for ordinary local editing, terminals and many extensions. Accounts are needed for optional features such as Settings Sync, Copilot and many hosted services.
Is Copilot Free unlimited?
No. GitHub’s Copilot Free plan has usage limits, including the listed monthly completion allowance; limits and features can change.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchAre all VS Code extensions free?
No. Extension publishers choose their own prices, licenses, account requirements and data practices.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
