Developers today have more choices than ever when selecting a code editor or IDE. Two powerful contenders in this space are JetBrains Fleet and Visual Studio Code (VS Code). This guide provides a comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right tool for your development needs. For more insights on modern development tools, check out our guide on AI code completion tools.
Key features comparison
JetBrains Fleet represents a new approach from the creators of popular IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm, while Visual Studio Code has established itself as a versatile, lightweight editor with extensive customization options.
| Feature | JetBrains Fleet | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Distributed client-server | Electron-based desktop application |
| Performance | Optimized for large projects | Can slow with numerous extensions |
| Language Support | Strong out-of-box support for multiple languages | Relies on extensions for advanced language features |
| Extensibility | Growing ecosystem, but less mature | Vast marketplace with thousands of extensions |
| Remote Development | Built-in collaboration features | Requires extensions like Remote Development pack |
| UI/UX | Modern, clean interface with smart space management | Highly customizable but can become cluttered |
| Debugging | Robust debugging capabilities | Excellent debugging with proper extensions |
| Git Integration | Comprehensive built-in version control | Basic Git support, enhanced with extensions like Graphite |
| Resource Usage | Generally lower memory footprint | Higher memory consumption with many extensions |
| Pricing | Commercial with subscription model | Free and open-source (MIT licensed) |
JetBrains Fleet: Pros and cons
Pros
- Smart features: Inherits intelligent code completion and refactoring capabilities from other JetBrains products
- Performance-focused: Fleet vs VS Code performance tests often show Fleet handling large codebases more efficiently
- Distributed architecture: Separates UI from backend processes for smoother operation
- Multiple modes: Switches between lightweight editor and full IDE functionality as needed
- Built-in collaboration: Real-time collaboration without third-party tools
- Consistent experience: Similar experience across all supported languages
- Code analysis: Advanced static code analysis tools.
Cons
- Newer platform: Less mature than VS Code with fewer extensions and community resources
- Learning curve: Different workflow from traditional JetBrains IDEs
- Cost: Commercial product requiring subscription
- Limited customization: Fewer personalization options compared to VS Code
- Developing ecosystem: Extension marketplace still growing
Visual Studio Code: Pros and cons
Pros
- Massive extension ecosystem: Thousands of extensions for nearly every language and workflow
- Strong community: Large user base and extensive documentation
- Free and open source: No cost barrier to entry
- Regular updates: Monthly release cycle with continuous improvements
- Highly customizable: Extensively configurable through settings and extensions
- Lightweight core: Fast startup for quick edits
Cons
- Performance issues: Can become sluggish with many extensions installed
- Inconsistent experience: Quality varies depending on installed extensions
- Resource intensive: Higher memory consumption, especially with numerous extensions
- Setup required: Often requires significant configuration for optimal workflow
- Feature fragmentation: Some features depend on specific extensions that may not be maintained
- Code review integration: Can be enhanced with tools like Graphite's Diamond for automated code reviews
Use cases
When JetBrains Fleet excels
- Enterprise development: Large-scale projects requiring consistent performance
- Polyglot development: Working across multiple programming languages
- Team collaboration: Projects requiring real-time collaborative coding
- Performance-critical environments: Development on machines with limited resources
- JetBrains ecosystem users: Developers already familiar with JetBrains tools
When Visual Studio Code excels
- Web development: Frontend and JavaScript-based projects
- Customized workflows: Developers who need highly specific tooling configurations
- Open source contributors: Projects benefiting from GitHub integration
- Learning programming: Beginners who need a free, accessible editor
- Cross-platform development: Consistent experience across operating systems
Feature deep dive
JetBrains Fleet features
JetBrains Fleet introduces several innovative features that set it apart:
- Smart mode vs Text mode: Switch between lightweight editing and full IDE capabilities
- Distributed architecture: Backend processes run separately from the UI
- Built-in space integration: Seamless connection with JetBrains' team collaboration platform
- Intelligent code analysis: Code insights without heavy IDE overhead
- Multi-language support: First-class support for numerous programming languages
- Project model agnostic: Works with different project structures without configuration
VS Code with Graphite extension
Visual Studio Code's flexibility shines with extensions like Graphite, which provides developers with:
- Enhanced Git workflow: Stacked changes and branch management
- PR creation and review: Integrated pull request workflow
Performance comparison
Fleet vs VS Code performance varies depending on the scenario:
- Startup time: Fleet typically launches faster than VS Code with multiple extensions
- Large project navigation: Fleet maintains responsiveness with large codebases
- Memory usage: Fleet generally consumes less memory for equivalent functionality
- CPU utilization: VS Code can spike CPU usage during extension operations
- Remote development: Fleet's architecture provides advantages for remote work
Conclusion
Choosing between JetBrains Fleet and Visual Studio Code depends on your specific needs:
- For JetBrains IDE users: Fleet provides a familiar experience with better performance
- For extension enthusiasts: VS Code's mature ecosystem offers unmatched customization
- For performance-conscious developers: Fleet's architecture provides advantages
- For beginners or casual coding: VS Code's free model and accessibility are beneficial
Both editors continue to evolve rapidly, with JetBrains Fleet gaining features and extensions while Visual Studio Code refines its performance and core capabilities. Many developers maintain both in their toolkit, using Fleet for larger projects and VS Code for quick edits or specific language workflows.