VSCodium Download for Windows, Mac, and Linux

Download VSCodium, the open-source binary distribution of Visual Studio Code. Enjoy a powerful code editor without Microsoft telemetry while maintaining compatibility with your favorite development tools and extensions.

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What is VSCodium?

VSCodium is a free and open-source code editor built from the same source code that powers Visual Studio Code. It is a community-driven project that provides developers with a familiar coding environment while removing Microsoft’s proprietary branding, telemetry, and tracking components. As a result, users can enjoy a clean, privacy-focused development experience without sacrificing the features and functionality that have made VS Code one of the world’s most popular editors.

Designed for programmers, web developers, software engineers, and IT professionals, VSCodium includes powerful tools for writing, editing, debugging, and managing code across a wide range of programming languages. It supports extensions, integrated terminals, Git version control, intelligent code completion, and customizable workspaces, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced developers.

One of VSCodium’s biggest advantages is its commitment to transparency and user control. The project automatically builds open-source binaries from the publicly available VS Code repository, ensuring that users have access to a fully functional editor without unnecessary data collection. Whether you are developing websites, desktop applications, cloud services, or open-source projects, VSCodium offers a modern, reliable, and privacy-conscious alternative to traditional code editors.

Main Features of VSCodium

VSCodium combines powerful development tools with a privacy-focused, open-source foundation. From intelligent code editing and integrated debugging to Git support and customizable extensions, it provides everything developers need to build, manage, and maintain projects efficiently. Whether you’re working on web applications, software development, or open-source projects, VSCodium delivers a streamlined and productive coding experience.

VSCodium Features

Intelligent Code Editing

VSCodium provides a modern coding environment designed to improve productivity and code quality. It includes advanced syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, automatic formatting, and real-time error detection to help developers write clean and efficient code. Support for numerous programming languages makes it suitable for a wide range of development projects.

Git Integration

Built-in Git integration allows developers to manage version control without leaving the editor. Users can track changes, review modifications, create commits, switch branches, and synchronize repositories directly from the interface.

Debugging Tools

VSCodium includes powerful debugging capabilities that simplify the process of identifying and resolving issues within applications.

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Extension Support

The editor supports a wide range of extensions that allow users to customize their development environment according to their needs.

Workspace Management

Developers can work with multiple folders, save workspace settings, manage project configurations, and quickly switch between tasks.

Integrated Terminal

An integrated terminal enables developers to access command-line tools without switching between applications. Users can run scripts, execute commands, manage packages, and interact with development environments directly within the editor.

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Workspace Management

VSCodium offers flexible workspace management features that make it easier to organize projects of any size. Developers can work with multiple folders, save workspace settings, manage project configurations, and quickly switch between tasks.

Why Choose VSCodium?

VSCodium offers the perfect balance of performance, flexibility, and privacy for modern developers. Built from the open-source Visual Studio Code codebase, it delivers a familiar coding experience while removing unnecessary telemetry and proprietary elements. Whether you’re a professional developer, student, or open-source enthusiast, VSCodium provides a reliable and transparent environment for building projects across multiple platforms. Its powerful features, community-driven development, and commitment to user freedom make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a modern code editor.

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Privacy First

VSCodium is designed with privacy in mind by removing Microsoft's telemetry and tracking components from the official VS Code build. This gives developers greater control over their data and creates a more transparent development environment without compromising functionality or performance.

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Open Source Freedom

As a fully open-source project, VSCodium provides freely available binaries built directly from publicly accessible source code. This commitment to transparency allows users to inspect, verify, and use the software with confidence while benefiting from community-driven improvements.

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Familiar User Experience

VSCodium retains the modern interface, productivity tools, and workflow that developers appreciate in Visual Studio Code. Users can enjoy intelligent coding features, customizable settings, and an intuitive design without the proprietary branding found in the official release.

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Multi-Platform Compatibility

Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, VSCodium delivers a consistent development experience across different operating systems. This cross-platform support allows developers to work seamlessly on their preferred devices while maintaining the same tools and configurations.

System Requirements

Before installing VSCodium, ensure your system meets the requirements for smooth performance and an optimal development experience. VSCodium is designed to run efficiently on modern operating systems and supports a wide range of hardware configurations, making it accessible to developers across different platforms.

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Windows

  • Windows 10 version 1903+
  • 1.6 GHz+ processor
  • 1 GB RAM minimum
  • 200 MB disk space
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macOS

  • macOS 10.15 Catalina+
  • Intel or Apple Silicon
  • 1 GB RAM minimum
  • 200 MB disk space

Linux

  • Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+
  • Fedora 36+, RHEL 8+
  • 1 GB RAM minimum
  • 200 MB disk space

How to Install VSCodium

Getting started with VSCodium is a straightforward process. The editor is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing developers to quickly set up a privacy-focused development environment. Follow the steps below to download, install, and configure VSCodium on your system.

1

Download

Grab the installer for your operating system from the download section above or visit GitHub Releases.

2

Install

Run the installer like any regular application. No account creation or sign-up required.

3

Start Coding

Open VSCodium, install your favorite extensions, and start building. It's that simple.

Or install via package manager

# Windows (winget)
winget install VSCodium.VSCodium
# macOS (Homebrew)
brew install --cask vscodium
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install codium

Extensions & Themes

VSCodium uses the Open VSX Registry — a vendor-neutral, open-source extension marketplace. Most popular VS Code extensions are available.

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Python

IntelliSense, linting, debugging

JS

JavaScript

ES6+, Node.js support

Docker

Container management

GitLens

Supercharged Git experience

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Themes

One Dark, Dracula, Nord & more

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Prettier

Opinionated code formatter

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Database

SQL tools & explorers

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Live Server

Hot reload for web dev

Pros & Cons

Every tool has trade-offs. Here’s an honest look at VSCodium.

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Pros

  • Zero Telemetry: No data is collected or sent to any server
  • Fully Open Source: MIT licensed with reproducible builds
  • Extension Support: Compatible with all VS Code extensions
  • Same Experience: Identical UI, features, and performance
  • Free Forever: No licensing, no accounts, no subscriptions
  • Cross-Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux support
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Cons

  • No Official Marketplace: Uses Open VSX instead of Microsoft's marketplace
  • Slight Update Delay: Releases lag behind VS Code by hours or days
  • Some Extensions Missing: A few proprietary extensions may not work
  • No Remote Tunnels: Microsoft's remote tunnel feature is removed
  • Manual Setup Needed: May require config for some corporate environments
  • Less Brand Recognition: Not as widely known in enterprise settings

VS Code vs VSCodium

Compare VS Code and VSCodium to understand differences in privacy, telemetry, licensing, ecosystem integration, and overall development experience.

Feature VS Code VSCodium
Telemetry Enabled by default Completely removed
License MIT + Proprietary Fully MIT
Extension Marketplace Microsoft Marketplace Open VSX Registry
Branding Microsoft branded Community branded
Editor Features Full Full (identical)
Remote Tunnels Included Removed
Price Free Free

Your Code Stays Yours

When you use VS Code, Microsoft collects data about your editing patterns, the languages you use, the files you open, and more. VSCodium ensures that what happens in your editor stays in your editor.

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No Usage Tracking

Zero data sent about your coding habits, file types, or editing patterns.

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No Machine IDs

Unique machine identifiers are not generated or transmitted.

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No Network Calls

Removed all outbound connections to Microsoft servers.

Developers Love It

Discover what developers, programmers, and technology enthusiasts have to say about their experience using VSCodium. These reviews highlight the editor’s privacy-focused approach, open-source philosophy, performance, and developer-friendly features that make it a trusted choice for coding projects of all sizes.

★★★★★
"Switched from VS Code to VSCodium six months ago and never looked back. Same editor, same extensions, zero tracking. It's what VS Code should have been."
Sarah Chen
Full-Stack Developer
★★★★★
"As a privacy advocate, VSCodium is a breath of fresh air. I can recommend it to my team without worrying about data policies. The Open VSX registry has everything we need."
Marcus Rivera
DevOps Engineer
★★★★★
"Our company policy requires open-source tools. VSCodium lets us use the VS Code experience we love while staying compliant. Installation via package manager is seamless."
Anika Patel
CTO, TechStartup

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about VSCodium, including installation, features, compatibility, privacy, extensions, and usage.

General Questions
What is VSCodium?
VSCodium is a free and open-source code editor built from the Visual Studio Code source code without Microsoft's telemetry and proprietary branding.
Is VSCodium free to use?
Yes, VSCodium is completely free to download, install, and use for personal, educational, and commercial purposes.
Who develops VSCodium?
VSCodium is maintained by an open-source community that builds and distributes telemetry-free binaries from the VS Code source repository.
Why was VSCodium created?
VSCodium was created to provide developers with a version of VS Code that removes telemetry and tracking features while remaining open-source.
Is VSCodium safe to use?
Yes, VSCodium is considered safe and is built directly from publicly available source code.
Installation and Compatibility
Which operating systems support VSCodium?
VSCodium is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Can I install VSCodium on Windows 11?
Yes, VSCodium fully supports Windows 11 as well as Windows 10.
Does VSCodium support Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes, VSCodium provides support for Apple Silicon and Intel-based macOS devices.
Can I run VSCodium on Linux distributions?
Yes, VSCodium supports many popular Linux distributions through various installation methods.
What are the minimum system requirements for VSCodium?
Most modern systems with at least 4 GB of RAM and sufficient storage can run VSCodium efficiently.
Features and Functionality
Does VSCodium include IntelliSense?
Yes, VSCodium offers intelligent code completion, syntax highlighting, and other productivity features similar to VS Code.
Can I use Git with VSCodium?
Yes, VSCodium includes built-in Git integration for version control and repository management.
Does VSCodium have an integrated terminal?
Yes, users can access a built-in terminal directly from the editor.
Can I debug applications in VSCodium?
Yes, VSCodium includes debugging tools that help developers identify and resolve issues efficiently.
Does VSCodium support multiple programming languages?
Yes, VSCodium supports a wide variety of programming languages through built-in features and extensions.
Extensions and Customization
Can I install extensions in VSCodium?
Yes, VSCodium supports a large number of compatible extensions to enhance functionality.
Are VS Code extensions compatible with VSCodium?
Most VS Code extensions work with VSCodium without any issues.
Can I customize themes in VSCodium?
Yes, users can choose from numerous themes and appearance settings.
Does VSCodium support custom keyboard shortcuts?
Yes, developers can modify and create keyboard shortcuts according to their workflow.
Can I synchronize settings between devices?
Depending on the tools and services used, users can export and manage settings across multiple systems.
Privacy and Security
Does VSCodium collect user data?
VSCodium removes Microsoft's telemetry by default, reducing data collection compared to the official VS Code release.
What is telemetry in code editors?
Telemetry refers to usage data that software may send back to developers for analytics and diagnostics.
Is VSCodium more privacy-focused than VS Code?
Yes, VSCodium is specifically designed to provide a more privacy-conscious development environment.
Is VSCodium open source?
Yes, VSCodium distributes open-source binaries generated from publicly available source code.
Can organizations use VSCodium securely?
Yes, many organizations and developers use VSCodium as part of their development workflow.
VSCodium vs VS Code
What is the main difference between VSCodium and VS Code?
The primary difference is that VSCodium removes Microsoft's telemetry and proprietary branding while maintaining similar functionality.
Does VSCodium perform differently from VS Code?
For most users, performance and functionality are very similar between the two editors.
Which editor is better for privacy-conscious developers?
VSCodium is generally preferred by users seeking a development environment with reduced telemetry.
Can I switch from VS Code to VSCodium easily?
Yes, most users can transition smoothly because both editors share a similar interface and feature set.
Is VSCodium a good alternative to Visual Studio Code?
Yes, VSCodium is widely regarded as an excellent open-source alternative for developers who value privacy and transparency.
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