Visual Studio Reviews & Pricing

by Microsoft Corporation | Founded 1975, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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What is Visual Studio?

Industry Specialties: Serves all industries.

Visual Studio is a sophisticated Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed to streamline the software development process. It is particularly well-suited for developers in industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare, where robust and scalable applications are essential. This versatile tool offers a comprehensive suite of features, including code editing, debugging, and version control, which enhance productivity and collaboration. Its unique IntelliSense feature provides intelligent code suggestions, while the integrated testing tools ensure high-quality software output. Users appreciate its seamless integration with various programming languages and platforms, making it a preferred choice for cross-platform development. Compared to similar products, Visual Studio is praised for its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options. Pricing varies based on the edition and user requirements, so it is advisable to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote. Overall, Visual Studio stands out for its powerful capabilities and adaptability in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

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Visual Studio Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, Visual Studio pricing starts at $45 (Per User, Monthly, Freemium).

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Starting From: $45
Pricing Model: Per User, Monthly, Freemium
Free Trial: Yes, Request for Free

Training Resources

Visual Studio is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for Visual Studio:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

Visual Studio Benefits and Insights

Why use Visual Studio?

Key differentiators & advantages of Visual Studio

Enhanced Productivity: Visual Studio streamlines coding with features like IntelliSense, which provides intelligent code completion, reducing the time spent on syntax errors.
Robust Debugging Tools: The integrated debugger allows for real-time code analysis, making it easier to identify and fix bugs efficiently.
Seamless Collaboration: With integrated Git support, teams can collaborate on projects directly within the IDE, facilitating smoother version control and code sharing.
Cross-Platform Development: Visual Studio supports development for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile, enabling developers to reach a broader audience.
Extensive Language Support: It supports a wide range of programming languages such as C#, Python, JavaScript, and more, allowing developers to work in their preferred language.
Comprehensive Testing Framework: Built-in testing tools help ensure code quality by allowing developers to write, run, and debug unit tests seamlessly.
Customizable Environment: Developers can tailor the IDE to their workflow with extensions and themes, enhancing their coding experience.
Integrated Cloud Services: Direct integration with Azure services simplifies deploying applications to the cloud, streamlining the development-to-deployment pipeline.
Rich Community Support: A vast community of developers and extensive documentation provide valuable resources and support for troubleshooting and learning.
Advanced Code Navigation: Features like Go To Definition and Find All References make navigating large codebases more manageable, improving code comprehension.
Efficient Code Refactoring: Automated refactoring tools help improve code structure without altering its functionality, enhancing maintainability.
Real-Time Collaboration: Live Share allows developers to collaborate in real-time, sharing their coding session with peers for pair programming or code reviews.
Integrated Terminal: The built-in terminal allows developers to execute commands without leaving the IDE, streamlining the development process.
Performance Profiling: Tools like the Performance Profiler help identify performance bottlenecks, enabling developers to optimize their applications effectively.
Comprehensive Documentation: Integrated help and documentation provide quick access to information, reducing the need to search externally for coding solutions.

Industry Expertise

Visual Studio is particularly well-suited for developers working with Microsoft technologies, especially those building applications for Windows, mobile platforms, and web services. Its robust features and extensive support for .NET and C++ make it a powerful tool for professionals in various industries, including game development, software engineering, and enterprise application development.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of Visual Studio reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

Intelligent Code Completion: Visual Studio excels in providing intelligent code suggestions and completions through its IntelliSense feature, which helps speed up development and reduce errors.
Powerful Debugging: The built-in debugging tools in Visual Studio are highly regarded, allowing developers to step through code, set breakpoints, and inspect variables, making it easier to identify and resolve issues.
Integrated Git Support: Visual Studio features seamless integration with Git, simplifying version control operations like cloning repositories, committing changes, and managing branches, all within the IDE.
Multi-language Support: Visual Studio provides comprehensive support for a wide array of programming languages, making it a versatile choice for teams working on diverse projects.

Cons

Resource Demands: Visual Studio can be a resource hog, potentially slowing down older computers.
Complexity for Newbies: The sheer number of features can overwhelm those new to Visual Studio, making the learning process steeper.
Price Tag: While a free version exists, unlocking the full potential of Visual Studio often means paying for a pricey Professional or Enterprise edition.
Update Fatigue: The frequent updates, while intended to improve the software, can disrupt workflows for some users.

Researcher's Summary:

Is Visual Studio a "studio" for crafting visually appealing and functional applications, or does it fall short of its artistic aspirations? User reviews from the last year reveal a mixed bag when it comes to Visual Studio. While many acknowledge its power as a comprehensive IDE, particularly for Windows development, some find its strengths to be overshadowed by its weaknesses.

A key strength of Visual Studio is its comprehensive suite of tools, including IntelliSense for intelligent code completion and powerful debugging capabilities. These features are particularly valuable for developers working with C++ and .NET, as they streamline the development process and enhance productivity. However, this comprehensiveness can also be a double-edged sword. Visual Studio is known for being resource-intensive and potentially overwhelming for beginners, especially compared to more lightweight alternatives like VS Code. Its heavy footprint can lead to slower performance on less powerful machines, a significant drawback for some developers.

Ultimately, Visual Studio is most suitable for experienced developers working on large, complex projects, particularly within the Microsoft ecosystem. Its comprehensive features and deep integration with other Microsoft products make it a powerhouse for Windows development. However, its resource-intensive nature and steep learning curve might make it a less appealing choice for beginners or those seeking a more lightweight and flexible coding environment.

Key Features

Notable Visual Studio features include:

IntelliSense: Offers code completion suggestions and parameter info, enhancing coding efficiency by predicting what you might type next.
Debugger: Provides a robust debugging tool that allows breakpoints, watches, and call stack inspection to troubleshoot and optimize code.
Code Refactoring: Facilitates the restructuring of existing code without changing its external behavior, improving readability and maintainability.
Version Control Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Git, GitHub, and Azure DevOps, enabling efficient source control management directly within the IDE.
Live Share: Enables real-time collaboration with other developers, allowing simultaneous editing and debugging of code across different machines.
Unit Testing: Supports various testing frameworks like MSTest, NUnit, and xUnit, allowing developers to write and run unit tests to ensure code quality.
Extensions Marketplace: Offers a wide range of extensions to enhance functionality, from language support to productivity tools, tailored to specific development needs.
CodeLens: Provides insights directly in the code editor, such as references, changes, and work items, helping developers understand code dependencies and history.
Multi-Language Support: Supports a variety of programming languages including C#, C++, Python, and JavaScript, making it versatile for different development projects.
Azure Integration: Facilitates cloud development with built-in tools for deploying and managing Azure services, streamlining cloud-based application development.
Visual Studio Live Unit Testing: Continuously runs impacted unit tests in the background as code is edited, providing immediate feedback on code changes.
Architecture and Modeling Tools: Includes tools for designing and visualizing application architecture, aiding in the planning and documentation of complex systems.
Performance Profiling: Offers tools to analyze application performance, helping identify bottlenecks and optimize resource usage.
Task Runner Explorer: Integrates with task runners like Grunt and Gulp, allowing automation of repetitive tasks such as minification and compilation.
Integrated Terminal: Provides a built-in terminal window, enabling command-line operations without leaving the IDE environment.
Code Snippets: Allows insertion of predefined code templates, speeding up the coding process and ensuring consistency across projects.
Project Templates: Offers a variety of templates for different project types, such as web applications and desktop apps, to jumpstart development.
Cross-Platform Development: Supports development for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, making it suitable for building applications across multiple platforms.
Integrated Database Tools: Provides tools for database development and management, including SQL Server Data Tools for designing and deploying databases.
Accessibility Features: Includes features like screen reader support and high contrast themes, ensuring the IDE is usable by developers with disabilities.