Why Developers Are Leaving VS Code for JetBrains

One of the most cited reasons for switching is the noticeable performance difference between VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. While VS Code has improved significantly over the years, it remains an Electron-based application, which inherently carries overhead. JetBrains IDEs, built on Java Swing, have been optimized over decades for handling large codebases and complex operations.

Developers working with massive projects report that JetBrains IDEs handle indexing and code analysis much more efficiently. The initial startup time might be longer, but once running, the responsiveness during everyday tasks like searching, refactoring, and code navigation remains consistently smooth. This becomes particularly important when working with monorepos or projects containing hundreds of thousands of lines of code.

Memory usage patterns also differ significantly. While both tools can consume substantial RAM, JetBrains IDEs tend to use memory more effectively for their core functions. The intelligent caching and background processing mean that common operations like finding usages or renaming symbols complete faster and with fewer hiccups, especially as project complexity grows.

JetBrains IDEs are renowned for their deep understanding of programming languages and frameworks. This semantic analysis goes far beyond simple syntax highlighting. The IDEs can track data flow, understand type hierarchies, and recognize context in ways that enable truly intelligent assistance.

Refactoring operations demonstrate this difference clearly. While VS Code offers basic refactoring through extensions, JetBrains tools provide comprehensive, safe refactoring across entire codebases. Renaming a variable, extracting methods, changing signatures, or reorganizing class hierarchies can be done with confidence that the IDE will correctly update all references and maintain code correctness.

The inline refactoring capabilities are particularly powerful. Developers can transform code structure while seeing the results in real-time, with the IDE suggesting multiple approaches and showing potential issues before they commit to changes. This level of integration requires deep language parsing that goes beyond what extensions can typically provide in VS Code.

JetBrains IDEs excel at providing a unified development environment where version control, database management, debugging, and testing are deeply integrated. This reduces context switching and creates a more fluid development experience compared to assembling these capabilities from VS Code extensions.

The Git integration in JetBrains tools offers visual diff tools, branch management, and conflict resolution that many developers find superior to both VS Code's built-in Git features and third-party alternatives. Similarly, the database tools allow direct querying and schema management without leaving the IDE, maintaining the same level of code intelligence applied to SQL and database objects.

Debugging capabilities represent another area of strength. JetBrains IDEs provide advanced breakpoint management, expression evaluation, and data visualization that go beyond basic step-through debugging. For complex debugging scenarios involving multiple services or asynchronous code, these features can significantly reduce the time needed to identify and fix issues.

The primary argument against JetBrains IDEs is their cost, which can range from $149 to $249 annually per user depending on the product. However, the article frames this as an investment rather than an expense, particularly for professional developers whose time is valuable.

When considering the cost, developers should factor in the time saved through more efficient workflows. If a superior IDE saves just 30 minutes per day through faster navigation, better refactoring, and reduced debugging time, that translates to approximately 2.5 hours per week. Over a year, this represents more than 120 hours of additional productivity, which easily justifies the subscription cost even at the higher end of the pricing scale.

For teams, the calculation becomes even more compelling. The all products pack provides access to IDEs for all major languages and frameworks, making it an economical choice for polyglot organizations. Additionally, JetBrains offers free licenses for students and open-source projects, along with discounts for startups and educational institutions, making the tools accessible to a broader audience.