VS Code Alternatives That Don't Suck - What Actually Works in 2024

VS Code is a memory hog. I've watched it consume 2GB RAM just to edit a JavaScript file with 20 extensions installed. If you're on an older machine or running multiple Docker containers, you're fucked. The high memory usage GitHub issue has hundreds of comments and no real solution - people complaining it eats most of their RAM just from opening two tabs. Microsoft has performance troubleshooting guides, but they basically amount to "disable extensions until it works." Community workarounds exist but shouldn't be necessary for a text editor.

The startup time is criminally slow. VS Code takes forever to boot, sometimes 15+ seconds if it's feeling moody, compared to Sublime Text's instant launch. When you need to quickly edit a config file, waiting for Electron to spin up feels like eternity. Performance benchmarks show VS Code consistently ranking worst for cold starts. Some poor bastards report 20-40 second initial startups, especially with multiple extensions. Independent comparisons consistently show Sublime Text and Vim outperforming VS Code by massive margins.

Extension hell is real. Half the extensions in the marketplace are abandoned or broken. The Python extension randomly breaks autocomplete, the Docker extension crashes when you have too many containers, and don't get me started on the Remote SSH extension that fails 30% of the time with `ECONNREFUSED` errors. Extensions stop working after updates regularly, the marketplace is flooded with spam extensions using copyrighted names, and Microsoft's extension bisect tool exists specifically because debugging extension conflicts is so common.

Privacy is another nightmare. Microsoft's telemetry collection sends data even when you think you've disabled it. The only real fix is VSCodium, but then you lose access to the official extension marketplace and have to use Open VSX. Cursor users are experiencing similar marketplace access issues, showing how Microsoft controls the ecosystem.

For Java developers, VS Code is a joke compared to IntelliJ IDEA. The debugging experience is usually trash, refactoring barely works, and Maven integration randomly fails. I've spent more time fixing VS Code's Java tooling than actually writing Java code. Language server crashes are a weekly occurrence. IntelliJ's AI Assistant actually understands Java patterns and Spring Boot integration works seamlessly, while VS Code's Java experience feels cobbled together from random extensions.

The AI integration through GitHub Copilot is half-baked. Its suggestions are often completely wrong and don't understand project context. I've had it import from packages that were never released. Cursor and other AI-first editors make Copilot look like a toy in comparison. Direct comparisons show Cursor's context understanding and code generation capabilities far exceed Copilot's random autocomplete suggestions. Cursor's composer mode can modify entire codebases coherently, while Copilot can barely complete a function without hallucinating APIs that don't exist.

Bottom line: VS Code worked great in 2019, but it's become bloated, slow, and unreliable. Developer surveys from 2024 still show VS Code leading in usage, but satisfaction ratings are dropping as developers discover faster, more reliable alternatives. The r/programming discussions consistently mention the same pain points: memory usage, startup times, and extension reliability. If you're still on VS Code because "everyone else uses it," you're missing out on editors that actually respect your time and hardware.

Cursor: AI That Doesn't Suck (Mostly)

Cursor is what GitHub Copilot should have been. Instead of random autocomplete bullshit, it actually understands your codebase. I've been using it for 6 months and it's genuinely impressive - when it works.

The killer feature is Composer mode. You describe what you want in plain English and it writes entire functions across multiple files. I asked it to "add JWT authentication to this Express app" and it correctly modified routes, middleware, and tests. VS Code's Copilot would have suggested random JWT snippets that don't even compile. Cursor's autocomplete feels way faster than Copilot's sluggish suggestions, making the experience much more responsive.

But it's not perfect. The AI sometimes hallucinates functions that don't exist, especially with newer libraries. I've had it confidently import from next/middleware in a React 17 project. The context window limitations mean it usually loses track of large codebases. Some developers report lower success rates compared to GitHub Copilot for certain tasks, though recent comparisons show Cursor excelling at repo-wide refactors.

Performance is VS Code plus AI overhead. Startup takes 4-5 seconds and it uses probably 400MB RAM before you even open a file. The $20/month Pro plan gives you unlimited Claude 3.5 Sonnet usage, which is worth it if you're actually productive.

Moving from VS Code is pretty easy - just import your settings and extensions. Some extensions act weird due to API differences, but nothing major.

Zed: Fast Enough to Make You Rethink Everything

Zed is stupidly fast. Like, unreasonably fast. It opens instantly, search is immediate, and jumping between files feels telepathic. After using it for a week, going back to VS Code feels like coding underwater.

The collaborative editing is the real magic. No setup, no plugins, no sharing links. Just click a button and your teammate is editing alongside you with built-in voice chat. We've done entire pair programming sessions without screen sharing. It's what VS Code Live Share promised but never delivered. The collaboration architecture uses CRDTs for real-time sync, and Zed's blog details how they built collaboration from the ground up rather than bolting it on like other editors.

The downside is the tiny extension ecosystem. There's no Python debugger, limited Docker integration, and forget about obscure language support. It's great for web development and Rust, but don't expect VS Code's plugin breadth. The GitHub repository shows active development, but some users want a lightweight version without collaborative features. The feature comparison shows what's available, but it's still limited compared to mature editors.

Linux support is beta and shows it. I've hit random crashes and font rendering issues on Ubuntu. macOS is rock solid, Windows is coming soon. The GitHub discussions reveal mixed experiences with stability, particularly on non-Mac platforms.

IntelliJ IDEA: Expensive But Worth Every Penny

$169/year hurts your wallet, but IntelliJ is the only editor that doesn't make Java development feel like punishment. The debugger actually works, refactoring doesn't break your code, and Maven integration happens without sacrificing goats to the build gods.

The AI Assistant in 2024.3 is legitimately useful. It explains complex code, generates unit tests that actually pass, and suggests refactorings that don't destroy your architecture. Unlike Copilot's random suggestions, it understands Java patterns and Spring Boot conventions. Recent updates include improved test generation and custom commit message prompts, while Spring-specific features like async debugging for @Scheduled methods show how deep the integration goes.

Database integration saves hours of context switching. Built-in SQL console, schema navigation, and ORM support means you never leave the IDE. I've debugged stored procedures directly from my Java code - try that in VS Code. Spring Boot development gets auto-configuration hints and property file completion, while the HTTP client lets you test APIs without leaving the editor.

The memory usage is brutal. 1-2GB is normal, 3GB+ for large projects. My 16GB laptop struggles with IntelliJ + Docker + Chrome, but the productivity gains make it worthwhile. Indexing takes forever on first project open, but subsequent starts are reasonable.

Spring Boot development is where IntelliJ shines. Auto-configuration hints, property file completion, and HTTP client testing are built-in. The VS Code equivalent requires 10+ extensions that break regularly. Developer guides showcase plugins like RestfulTool for API development, but the core Spring integration works out of the box. Community discussions confirm the AI integration feels seamless compared to bolted-on VS Code extensions.