Alternatives to VSCode

Posted by ArkenLunk@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 51 comments

Greetings!

I've been using VSCode for quite some time. I really like its ability to hold extensions and to compile and run the files with just one click. Thing is, my university just banned its use in one of the subjects where coding in a final test is necessary, because it contains AI features (even though I disabled them). Are there any alternatives with similar functions?? I'd really like them to be able to compile and run in-editor.

Thanks!!

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jlanawalt@reddit

If they are concerned, they should provide a list of approved IDEs/editors. IDK how the final is proctored, but to be sure that didn’t happen they would have an in-person test in their lab with their non-AI enhanced system and IDE. If they do that, that is the one you may want to get familiar with.

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GarThor_TMK@reddit

Feel like this is the answer... Instead of making an obscure blacklist, make an open whitelist...

By making it obscure, you're just making it more difficult for your students to know whats actually approved.

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GarThor_TMK@reddit

I've had coworkers use `Sublime Text` before, and swear by it over vscode...

It's very similar, but idk that it has the same level of plugin support... >_>

I found this AlternativeTo page, which lists a few others: Best VS Code Alternatives: Top Code Editors & IDEs in 2025 | AlternativeTo

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mimavox@reddit

Sublime is good, but you can install Copilot there as well.

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GarThor_TMK@reddit

With the number of places that copilot is installed by default, I'll take an optional install over a forced install any day...

It's getting to the point that in order to get away from ai tools you have to switch operating systems entirely.

Op, have you thought about our Lord and Savior, Linux? :p

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mimavox@reddit

I know.. I find is useful sometimes, but mostly not. But you can easily turn it on/off in VS Code.

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Alarming-Word8400@reddit

Notepad++

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pyeri@reddit

Notepad++ is a great alternative. But why would they ban the entire VSCode, they should have banned just the AI extensions like copilots? You should highly protest this move.

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GarThor_TMK@reddit

I agree with you, but copilot is built in now... there's a little button up in the top corner that connects to your github account.

Afaik, there's no way to remove it, but I have to admit, I haven't really tried.

Really wish all of the copilot bullcrap was a plugin instead of baked in... it's so annoying every time it pops up.

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IchLiebeKleber@reddit

What programming languages are you going to use?

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ArkenLunk@reddit (OP)

Mainly Python and Fortran. In the future maybe C/C++, depending on the requirements for internships

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Danver26@reddit

The internship won't ban vscode though

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ArkenLunk@reddit (OP)

🤣 True

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itijara@reddit

Fotran. That is pretty cool actually. I had some exposure to it when working at NOAA. It is actually still in use in a lot of old scientific applications, so if you graduate with some Fortran experience that will make you in demand at some government agencies, including NOAA and NASA.

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ArkenLunk@reddit (OP)

Wow, that's good to read! This subject has had the same structure for a couple of years now, and they're thinking about switching it to Python coding. I like it better with Fortran, it forces you to familiarise with a faster language and with more complex syntaxes than those of python...

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itijara@reddit

That is true for a lot of older languages. C/C++ is like that as well, and more widely used. I wouldn't say that Fortran is a pathway to well paid career, but it is a pathway to a pretty secure career as there just aren't that many people who know it.

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notworthyofhugs@reddit

ah lol reminds me of my first ever coding exam that also happened to be in python. for some reason i coudlnt find any ide on my assigned machine at all and coded it in stupid plain gedit (the linux notepad basically). then i learnt that i should have had pulled up pycharm via a command or something, since the icon for it was bugged and did not show up in search, and also that gedit supposedly should have some syntax highlight at least. :D

otherwise idk, barebone should be sublime as well but you will need to have a terminal side by side for running and compiling

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ninhaomah@reddit

For Python , PyCharm.

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Aksds@reddit

PyCharm has AI features with OP mentioned the IDE can’t have

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craving_caffeine@reddit

Zed
VSCodium
Jetbrains IDE's
Neovim

These are good alternatives

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notworthyofhugs@reddit

jetbrains also have possibilities for ai stuff, it keeps popping up for me all the time

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craving_caffeine@reddit

you can disable it

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notworthyofhugs@reddit

yes, but so can he in vsc, so i guess his school wont care anyways :(

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Slimelot@reddit

Use an IDE jetbrains has a ton of products for a bunch of different languages and use cases.

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jake6501@reddit

Well that ban is stupid and achieves nothing.

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Solid_Mongoose_3269@reddit

I assume they're wanting to ensure nobody is using Copilot or anything else that can be flipped back on.

Although unless a professor is actually monitoring, how would they know?

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ArkenLunk@reddit (OP)

Yup, I think so too. I tried discussing it already, but this was the final answer...

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Lav_@reddit

I think you can try use the open source variant of Vs code called VScodium.

https://vscodium.com/

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VietNinjask@reddit

Idk why, I read that as VScrotum. I just woke up man and idk. I had to share this unnecessary experience.

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MagnusDarkwinter@reddit

My only gripe is the atrocious logo of that version. Need to change that.

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KaleidoscopeLow580@reddit

I like it, looks like an organic structure.

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vu47@reddit

Agreed. It makes me think of coral. I really like it.

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AhoyISki@reddit

Kakoune

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Tren898@reddit

If you learn VIM now and vim motions as well as adding some quality of life plugins, you’ll be better off for it

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

[removed]

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husayd@reddit

I mean, AI can be integrated into every single code editor probably, but micro, vi, vim, neovim, emacs, pycharm are popular options. I dont know which one would be accepted by your university though.

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Tren898@reddit

This is the correct answer for an over broad policy. If they are afraid of people not learning the fundamentals of a paradigm, good ol’ pen and paper would be a better option. Anything can be integrated into anything given enough time and desire.

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FoxyMiira@reddit

Wing. What kind of backwards uni do you go to where you can't use Vscode in at test? Is the test in-lab or online? In my uni coding tests are done using lab computers with something like codebox where you can't access the internet and whitelisted tools only.

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ArkenLunk@reddit (OP)

Physics degree at the University of Barcelona. This is a subject to learn computational methods and I think the professors just didn't bother to think much about it and just made this decision, because in theory we'll be able to take our own laptops to the final test... 🫠

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enclave911@reddit

Nova, or Spyder is nice for analytical work.

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noseriouslyhow@reddit

Hey — sorry you got caught in that predicament. Here are a few alternatives you might try out; some are closer to VSCode in feel than others:

💻 Possible Replacements

Editor / IDE	Pros	Potential Drawbacks / Notes
JetBrains (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.)	Rich set of features, excellent code intelligence, good built-in run/compile tools	Some versions are paid (though they often have free/community editions)
Eclipse	Mature, lots of plugins, supports many languages	UI can feel a bit old-school
NetBeans	Also mature, good language support, extensible	Might not feel as lightweight as VSCode
Atom	Hackable, decent extension ecosystem	It’s slower in some cases compared to VSCode
Sublime Text	Lightweight, fast, lots of plugins	You’ll have to configure build/run yourself more manually
Geany	Lightweight IDE, simpler but useful	Less “polished” extension ecosystem
Vim / Neovim	Super configurable, fast, lightweight	Learning curve is higher; run/compile can be added via plugins

🛠 Tips When Trying Them Out

Check whether they support the same languages and frameworks you use (e.g. Python, Java, JS, etc.).
Try installing "run in editor" or "build / task runner" plugins/extensions — many will let you trigger compile/run with a shortcut.
Check how “safe” or “sterile” they are with respect to AI / cloud / telemetry — since that seems to be your issue with VSCode in the university’s eyes.
Ask around in university / course forums which tools are allowed. Sometimes there’s a “whitelist” or an IDE they endorse.

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ArkenLunk@reddit (OP)

Thanks to all for your suggestions!!❤️ Didn't hope for that many comments and I can't answer to them all 😅

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