StackBlitz vs Visual Studio Code: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the key differences between StackBlitz and Visual Studio Code. These two popular development tools have their own strengths and specialties, and understanding their differences can help developers choose the right tool for their specific needs.

1. Development Environment: StackBlitz is an online integrated development environment (IDE) that allows developers to write and run code directly in their web browsers. It provides a complete coding environment with features like code editing, debugging, and collaboration tools, all accessible through a web browser. On the other hand, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a standalone desktop application that needs to be installed on a computer. It offers a more powerful and customizable development environment with a wide range of extensions and integrated tools.

2. Installation and Setup: StackBlitz requires no installation or setup process as it runs entirely in the browser. Users can simply visit the StackBlitz website, create a new project, and start coding right away. Conversely, Visual Studio Code needs to be downloaded and installed on the user's computer. Additionally, developers may need to configure additional extensions or tools to set up their desired development environment.

3. Support for Different Languages and Frameworks: StackBlitz is primarily focused on web development and has excellent support for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages. It also provides integration with popular web frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue.js, allowing developers to quickly scaffold and build web applications using these frameworks. Visual Studio Code, on the other hand, supports a much wider range of programming languages, including popular ones like Java, Python, C#, and many more. It also provides extensive support for different frameworks and libraries, making it a versatile choice for broad development purposes.

4. Offline Availability: StackBlitz requires an active internet connection as it runs directly in the browser. This means that developers may face limitations when coding in areas with poor network connectivity. Conversely, Visual Studio Code does not rely on an internet connection and can be used offline without any limitations. This feature is particularly useful for developers who need to work in remote areas or on-the-go.

5. Extensions and Customization: Visual Studio Code is known for its extensive library of extensions, which allow developers to extend the capabilities of the editor according to their specific needs. There are thousands of extensions available for various languages, frameworks, and development tasks. StackBlitz, while providing a rich development environment, has a more limited set of extensions available compared to VS Code.

6. Integration with Version Control Systems: Visual Studio Code has seamless integration with popular version control systems like Git, allowing developers to easily manage their code repositories, commit changes, and collaborate with others. StackBlitz also provides basic version control features, but its integration with external version control systems may not be as robust as that of VS Code.

In summary, StackBlitz is an online IDE focused on web development, accessible through a web browser with limited extensions and offline availability, whereas Visual Studio Code is a desktop application with a wider range of language and framework support, extensive extensions library, offline availability, and seamless integration with version control systems. Choosing between them depends on specific development needs and preferences.