Visual Studio CodeLinux
vs
JetBrains RiderWindows
Visual Studio Code as a Linux alternative to JetBrains Rider
Updated
Our verdict
Visual Studio Code can replace JetBrains Rider for developers who mainly need a lightweight editor with C# support, but it lacks the full IDE features Rider offers. If you work on small to medium .NET Core projects, use VS Code with the C# extension, debugging, and testing extensions, it will serve you well. For large solutions, complex refactoring, or full .NET ecosystem integration, Rider remains preferable.
- License
- LicenseRef-proprietary=https://code.visu…
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.139.1 (September 25, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Cross‑platform availability on Linux, Windows, macOS
- Extensible via extensions/plugins
- Integrated Git and source control
- Built‑in terminal and debugging support
- IntelliSense code completion
What is different
- Rider provides deep .NET refactoring tools, code navigation, and a unified solution explorer; VS Code requires separate extensions for full C# support
- Rider has a built‑in test runner and profiler; VS Code needs extensions and separate tools
- Rider manages NuGet packages and project references automatically; VS Code relies on external tools or extensions
- Rider offers a richer UI for large solutions with advanced project/solution handling; VS Code is lighter and may struggle with very large codebases
- Rider includes a built‑in .NET CLI integration and project generation; VS Code requires manual setup
Opening your JetBrains Rider files
VS Code can open .csproj and .sln files, but it does not understand Rider‑specific project files (.csproj.user, .csproj.rider). Exporting a Rider solution to a plain .sln is possible, but some Rider‑specific settings (e.g., run configurations, code style) will be lost. Opening a Rider project in VS Code will work for code, but you may need to re‑configure build and debug settings manually.
Switching from JetBrains Rider to Visual Studio Code, step by step
- Install the C# extension (ms-dotnettools.csharp) from the VS Code marketplace.
- Open the folder containing your .csproj or .sln file; VS Code will detect the project and load the workspace.
- Configure launch.json and tasks.json for debugging and building, or use the .NET CLI commands directly.
- Install additional extensions for testing (e.g., .NET Test Explorer) and NuGet package management if needed.
- Adjust code style and formatting settings via the settings UI or a .editorconfig file.
- Verify that build, run, and debugging work before fully switching.
Key features of Visual Studio Code
- Cross‑platform, same UI on Linux, macOS, Windows
- Built‑in Git support and source control
- Extensible via a large marketplace
- Integrated terminal and debugging
- Smart code completion (IntelliSense)
- Language‑specific linters and formatters
How to install Visual Studio Code on Linux
flatpak install flathub com.visualstudio.codeFrequently asked questions
Does VS Code support .NET debugging on Linux?
Yes, the C# extension provides full debugging support for .NET Core and .NET 6/7 applications on Linux, using the dotnet CLI and the OmniSharp language server.
Can I run Rider‑specific run configurations in VS Code?
No. VS Code does not understand Rider’s run configuration files; you must create equivalent launch configurations in launch.json.
Is VS Code a true IDE for .NET?
It is a powerful editor with many IDE‑like features, but it lacks some of Rider’s advanced refactoring, profiling, and solution‑level tooling. For many developers it is sufficient, but for complex enterprise projects Rider may still be the better choice.