VSCodium is an open-source code editor with Microsoft telemetry and branding removed.
The main limitation is extension availability
VSCodium uses the Open VSX registry rather than the Visual Studio Marketplace, so its extension selection is not identical. Popular open-source extensions are available, but some Microsoft extensions are absent or are not licensed for use with VSCodium. This can affect developers who rely on Microsoft-only tools such as Remote Development, Live Share, or the C# Dev Kit.
Core editing and development tools
For everyday coding, VSCodium provides the VS Code editor’s editing, IntelliSense, debugging, and integrated terminal features. Its built-in Git support lets you stage changes, commit, review diffs, and push from the Source Control view, keeping common version-control tasks within the editor.
The program is a community build based on Microsoft’s MIT-licensed VS Code source code. Its build scripts compile that source into binaries with Microsoft branding and telemetry removed. The result is an open-source editor under the MIT licence, with telemetry disabled in the build.
Settings and extensions
Existing VS Code settings can make a transition more straightforward. VSCodium uses the same settings.json and keybinding format, so you can copy those configuration files rather than recreating your editor preferences manually. Extensions must be installed again from Open VSX; availability depends on whether each extension is published there and permitted for VSCodium.
Open VSX provides a vendor-neutral source for extensions, while the Visual Studio Marketplace’s terms limit its use to Microsoft products. The difference matters most when a workflow depends on a specific Microsoft extension: check that the needed tool is available and compatible before moving an established setup.
Installation and migration
The per-user x64 installer does not require administrator rights. A system-wide installer and an MSI are also available. During installation, selecting Add to PATH makes the codium command available in a terminal, which is useful for launching the editor from command-line workflows.
To move from VS Code, copy settings.json and then reinstall the extensions you need from Open VSX. This preserves settings and keybindings, but it does not transfer extensions automatically or ensure that every Microsoft extension has an equivalent available in the registry.
Who it suits
VSCodium is intended for developers who want the familiar VS Code editing environment in a community-maintained build without Microsoft telemetry. It supports Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, and Linux, and its MIT licence permits free use. Its practical fit depends on extension needs: developers using widely available open-source tools can retain the editor’s main workflow, while users dependent on Microsoft-only extensions may encounter a significant gap.