Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
Visual Studio Code, developed by Microsoft, is a widely popular standalone code editor renowned for its versatility and robust feature set. It supports a range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a broad spectrum of developers. One of its standout features is the support for various large language models such as GPT-5, Claude 4.5, and Gemini 3.0, which enhances its capabilities for code completion and predictive edits. With a context window of 200k tokens, VS Code allows for effective local inference and multi-file agentic editing, catering to the needs of developers seeking advanced project management tools.
VS Code offers full terminal access and seamless migration, ensuring a smooth transition for users. It adheres to a standard privacy policy and holds SOC2 Type II certification, providing users with confidence in its security measures. While offering a free tier, VS Code’s pricing ranges from $0 to $20 per month, depending on the features required. The configuration is facilitated through a simple .vscode/ai.json file.
Pros
- ✓ Supports multiple operating systems: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- ✓ Offers a free tier with extensive features.
- ✓ Seamless migration and setup process.
- ✓ Supports advanced LLMs: GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0.
- ✓ Full terminal access for comprehensive development.
Cons
- ✕ Context window limited to 200k tokens compared to some competitors.
- ✕ Higher price range for premium features.
- ✕ Standard privacy policy might not suffice for all enterprise needs.
WebStorm
WebStorm, developed by JetBrains, is a premier standalone integrated development environment (IDE) tailored specifically for JavaScript and modern web development. It operates across Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring broad compatibility. Notably, WebStorm supports a range of large language models including GPT-5, Gemini 2.0, Llama 4, and Mistral Enterprise, offering a substantial context window of up to 1 million tokens. This feature allows for expansive local inference and advanced agentic editing across multiple files, crucial for developers working on complex projects.
WebStorm provides full terminal access and requires setup for migration, which can be a consideration for new users. Although it doesn’t offer a free tier, its pricing is competitive, ranging from $8 to $15 per month. The tool’s adherence to a standard privacy policy and SOC2 Type II certification ensures data security. Configuration is managed through a .aicofig file, enabling straightforward customization.
Pros
- ✓ Extensive context window of 1M tokens.
- ✓ Advanced support for LLMs such as GPT-5 and Llama 4.
- ✓ Competitive pricing for premium features.
- ✓ Full terminal access for comprehensive development.
- ✓ Strong focus on JavaScript and web development.
Cons
- ✕ Requires setup for migration, which might be cumbersome.
- ✕ No free tier available.
- ✕ Standard privacy policy might not be sufficient for some users.
Comparison Table
| Feature | VS Code | WebStorm |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Microsoft | JetBrains |
| Supported Llms | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0 | GPT-5, Gemini 2.0, Llama 4, Mistral Enterprise |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 1M tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | $0 – $20/mo | $8 – $15/mo |
| Config File | .vscode/ai.json | .aicofig |
| Migration | Seamless | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both VS Code and WebStorm offer robust features and support for advanced language models, catering to various development needs. VS Code excels with its free tier and seamless migration, making it a great choice for budget-conscious developers. WebStorm, while requiring initial setup, provides a more extensive context window and is particularly strong in JavaScript and web development, offering competitive pricing for its features. Choosing between them depends on specific project requirements and budget considerations.