Visual Studio CodeLinux
vs
RStudioWindows
Visual Studio Code as a Linux alternative to RStudio
Updated
Our verdict
Visual Studio Code can replace RStudio for users who want a lightweight, extensible editor and are comfortable installing R‑specific extensions. It offers syntax highlighting, an integrated terminal, debugging, and a project view, but it lacks the built‑in R console, plotting pane, and package manager that RStudio provides out of the box. It works well for developers who already use VS Code for other languages and prefer a single tool, but data scientists who rely heavily on RStudio’s R‑centric workflow may find the experience fragmented.
- License
- LicenseRef-proprietary=https://code.visu…
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.139.1 (September 25, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Syntax highlighting for R code
- Integrated terminal for running scripts
- Project/file explorer
- Git integration
- Debugging support via extensions
What is different
- No built‑in R console; requires R extension to run scripts
- No dedicated plotting panel; plots appear in external windows or via extensions
- No integrated package manager UI
- Less out‑of‑the‑box R workflow support
- Requires manual setup of extensions and configuration
Opening your RStudio files
VS Code can open .R, .Rmd, and .Rproj files as plain text. It cannot directly execute RStudio projects (.Rproj) or display the RStudio project settings. Exporting from VS Code to an RStudio project is not supported; you would need to manually create an .Rproj file if you wish to open the same project in RStudio.
Switching from RStudio to Visual Studio Code, step by step
- Install VS Code from the official repository or Flatpak.
- Add the "R" extension by Yuki Ueda from the marketplace.
- Enable the R extension’s integrated R terminal or use the R extension’s console panel.
- Install the "R Debugger" extension for debugging support.
- Add the "R Plot Viewer" extension to view plots within VS Code.
- Configure the R executable path in settings.json if VS Code does not auto‑detect it.
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 replace the R console in RStudio?
Not directly. VS Code uses the R extension to provide a console panel, but it is a separate component and not as tightly integrated as RStudio’s console.
Can I use the R package manager from VS Code?
There is no built‑in package manager UI; you must use the R console or an extension that provides a package manager panel.
Will my R scripts run the same way in VS Code?
Yes, as long as the R extension is correctly configured and the R executable is available, scripts run identically. However, debugging and plotting may require additional extensions.
