Introduction
In 2025, thoroughbred developers have access to an impressive set of tools, from heavily integrated development environments to light editing code and cloud-based working ones. Choosing a proper tool can have an impressive effect on the efficiency and success of a project.
For example, teams using complete IDEs such as Visual Studio 2022, should consider licensing and having a valid Visual Studio 2022 product key for organizational versions. But the important decision is which tool is more appropriate for their needs.
In this paper, we review 7 of the more important developing tools in 2025, their strengths points, usages, and their recent improvements and we will see where Visual Studio 2022 stands between them.
Visual Studio Code
General review
Visual Studio code or its abbreviation VS Code, registers its place as one of the famous developing tools in all programming scopes. This free, light, multi-platform tool, is an open-source code editing that, because of its rich plugins, can support almost all programming frameworks and languages.
Unlike traditional heavy IDEs, VS code is a fast and light editor so developers can add their appropriate features according to their needs. This flexibility and high operationally made VS code the developing environment choice of most programmers.
In 2023 polls, nearly three-quarters of developers announced that they use VS Code as their main developing tool.
Strengths point
The main benefits of VS Code are high speed, customizing ability, and vast support of different languages. Its internal marketplace provides thousands of plugins for language syntaxes, troubleshooting, debuggers, and integrating with tools such as Git and Docker. Internal Git facility, modern debug experience, and local running on Windows, macOS, and Linux (even in browser for cloud scenarios) are other important features.
Microsoft calls that a code source independent editor and the first choice for Java and web developers. Recent developments have improved remote development capabilities. Developers can work with VS Code integral from inside of containers, WSL (Linux on Windows), or remote servers. Even services such as GitHub Codespaces, are created based on these tools. Additionally, the day-by-day progress of programming with AI is followed very well in VS Code. GitHub Copilot (AI coding assistant) is integrated directly into VS Code and provides suggestions and intelligent compliments.
Monthly updates in 2024 and 2025, introduced features such as interactive chat with AI, improved support of notebooks for data science, and other new practical facilities.
Use cases:
VS Code is a versatile tool for web development with JavaScript/TypeScript, node.js, scripting with Python, programming with Go and Rust, or even Java and C++ with installing related plugins. This tool is very good for multi-language projects and it operates very well for fast cycles and running.
However, science is just an editor, for bigger organizational projects it may need more configuration (installing plugins for everything). As one of the developers explained: Visual Studio is an IDE with compilers, SDKs, and a pre-ready environment, while VS Code is a code editor that you can change to an IDE with a plugin, but nothing is as complete as a real IDE.
In operation, VS Code satisfies most of the developing needs, but for bigger projects or complex graphical interface design, the use of specialized IDE can improve productivity. Nevertheless, wide acceptance and continuous updates changed VS Code to a main item of modern developing workflow.
IntelliJ IDEA (JetBrains IDEs)
General review
IntelliJ IDEA is an experienced and powerful IDE from JetBrains Company that is very famous, especially for the Java ecosystem. In 2025, IntelliJ IDEA and its family of language-specific IDEs, such as Pycharm for Python, WebStorm for JavaScript, CLion for C/C++, and other items, are still vital tools for most professional developers.
IntelliJ is known for its deep understanding of code structure and its set of comprehensive capabilities such as intelligent code completion, refactoring tools, static code analysis, internal version control, debugging, and testing. All of these exist in IDE by default.
These strength points led IntelliJ to change to the dominant choice in Java development at an organizational level. In a 2025 survey, nearly 84% of Java developers announced that they use IntelliJ IDEA while VS Code share decreased by around 31% and Eclipse decreased near 28%. This shows the impressive superiority of IntelliJ in this Scope.
Strength point
IntelliJ IDEA’s main strength is in complicated projects. This IDE provides code completion and context-based refactoring capability that can significantly faster strongly typed languages such as Java, Kotlin, or Scala.
IntelliJ continuously indexes your codes to check errors instantly and provides suggestions so it makes a lot of smart sense. Most of these capabilities are customizable to synchronic with individual and teamwork patterns. Also, it has a powerful marketplace for plugins in which you can add new capabilities such as supporting frameworks, database tools, or even AI-based assistants.
JetBrains always kept IntelliJ updated: recent versions introduced an improved user interface with lighter UI and more importantly, they have merged AI capabilities. JetBrains AI assistant which was introduced from 2023 – 2024, added capabilities such as code completion based on GPT, human language natural chat, and automatic test generation to IntelliJ and all JetBrains IDEs.
By 2025, this AI assistant will be integrated into IDE as a preview and help smart development according to broader trends that we are witnessing in AI-based development.
Use cases:
IntelliJ IDEA operates wonderfully in Java and JVM-based language development including organizational programs, android projects (although android Studio is also built based on IntelliJ ), and Kotlin projects. Also, it is famous for other languages through specialized JetBrains IDEs.
For example, most Python programmers use PyCharm for its specialized support of Django, scientific notebooks, etc. as well JavaScript and TypeScript use WebStorm for frontend and Node.js tasks.
A common point of all these tools is that they usually need strong systems (they need a lot of memory) and their complete versions need buying a license (the community version is free but it is limited).
For bigger organizations and professional developers, speed of code navigation and automatic refactoring are so important that these costs are fully justified. IntelliJ’s place in 2025, is kept as powerful and unrivaled and it is a developer productivity measure in many scopes.
Visual Studio 2022
General review:
Visual Studio 2022 from Microsoft Company is a comprehensive IDE based on Windows that is mainly designed for .NET and C++ developers and has a long history in the software industry.
Its x.17 version was published by the end of 2021 and it received multiple updates till 2025 to support the latest languages and frameworks. Microsoft calls it the most comprehensive IDE for Windows .NET and C++ developers to build all types of programs (web, desktop, mobile, cloud, game…).
This developing environment has multiple capabilities: compilers, Visual designs, debuggers, and profilers, integrated with database and cloud space, in other words, it is a versatile tool for developing on the Microsoft platform.
Although cross-platform is possible through it (for example with .NET core or .NET 6+, and with Xamarin or MAUI for mobile), IDE itself just runs on Windows, and the Mac-specific version is a separate and weaker product.
In 2025 VS role will become dual, from one side it is still irreplaceable for Windows-specific development such as WPF, UWP/WinUI, or C++ with Visual C++ toolchain, and on the other side most Windows independent developers become inclined to lighter tools such as VS Code.
However, Visual Studio is still at the top of developer polls and often remains next to VS Code which is another practical tool.
Strength points:
The strength point of Visual Studio is its set of rich internal tools and operational improvements. This is the first 64-bit version of Visual Studio, so it can use more memory and load and compile bigger projects faster which is very important for a glorious organization’s code base.
Microsoft also focused on user experience improvements. For example, IntelliCode (code completion according to artificial intelligence and context) is internally embedded in it and suggests a complete line of codes according to code content.
Hot Reload capability also has been provided for .NET and C++ projects which lets developers apply changes directly on running programs. It also exists in frameworks such as ASP.NET and Blazer for instant UI updates. Visual Studio debugger has been one of the best debuggers from the past till now and it has been more completed because of its advanced breakpoints, watch window, memory review tools, and AI-based debug suggestions.
Additionally, UI design tools such as WinForms and WPF, unit test running, memory and operation profiler, and powerful integration with Azure and Git also existed in this IDE. In other words, Visual Studio provided all necessary facilities for .NET and C++ developing on Windows cumulatively from design to end establishment in Azure.
Use case:
Visual Studio 2022 is the main choice for developing in the Microsoft ecosystem. This includes building C#/.NET programs such as ASP.NET web applications, windows desktop programs, unity games, and C++ projects, especially with Microsoft’s own tools such as games based on DirectX or native libraries with high operationality and multi-platform programs with MAUI or Xamarin.
Also, it is practical for SQL database projects and even supports languages such as Python and Node.js through plugins. However, most developers prefer VS Code for that except for times when deep integration with Visual Studio is necessary.
In 2025, Visual Studio faced serious rivalry with VS Code, in a way that most developers use both of them (VS Code for scripts and front end and Visual Studio for backend) but in organizational scenarios, to manage big projects, graphical design, and advanced debugging in a windows environment, it is replaceable.
Totally, in 2025 Visual Studio is still a high-level and heavy tool among developing tools. It may not be practical in all places but when we speak about big, complex, and Windows-based projects, it is vital.
Xcode
General review:
Xcode is Apple’s official development environment to build software on macOS, iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and now visionOS. This tool is the only official choice (first-party) to create native apps in Apple platforms, so anybody who wants to develop for iPhone, iPad, or Mac, must be familiar with Xcode. Xcode runs exclusively on macOS (apple does not provide it for Windows or Linux) which is synchronous with Apple’s closed ecosystem philosophy
In 2025, the Xcode version reached x.16. For example Xcode 16 was introduced at the same time as iOS 18 in late 2024 and this flow continues annually. Every year with the publishing of new versions of the operating system, Apple updates Xcode to support SDKs and its new devices.
Now Xcode covers developing for Vision Pro, AR/VR Apple platform and places frameworks such as SwiftUI, ARKit, etc. in as Apple announced, Xcode provides all necessary tools to create advanced apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro and MAC. This means it covers all developing ways from coding to test and publishing.
Strength point:
The main strength of Xcode is its integration with the Apple ecosystem. This tool provides a unique workflow for all Apple platforms. User interface design with Interface Builder for UIKit storyboards or SwiftUI previews, writing code with Swift or Objective-C, debugging on a simulator or real device, operational analysis with Instruments, and publishing app on App Store, all of them are done in Xcode.
The Xcode editor is powerful: it provides highlight syntax, code completion (optimized for Swift and Objective-C with machine learning-based suggestions), and refactoring tools for these languages. Since Apple has full control of software and hardware, Xcode is optimized for Apple Silicon-appointed MACs, and Swift compiles very fast.
Introducing SwiftUI with a declarative coding-based user interface and UI changes live preview capability in Xcode led to a salient optimization increase of user interface developers. Recent versions (Xcode 15 and 16) improved Swift Package Manager support and features such as text plans have been added to them for flexible automatic tests.
Xcode also has specialized tools for specific development, such as Reality Composer for AR content and 3 dimensions, Create ML for machine learning models teaching and analyzing tools for availability and energy consumption.
Use cases:
Xcode is for native developers in irreplaceable Apple platforms. Whether you are creating an IOS app, a macOS desktop app, or even a game with the use of Apple Metal API, Xcode is the main tool. Even in cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter or React Native, for the iOS/macOS related section, you still need Xcode to compile and run on a simulator or real device.
Since Xcode just runs on macOS, developers must use Apple hardware. In developing teams too, if the main development is done on other systems, for final packaging and publishing Apple apps, Xcode is always busy. Compared to other IDEs, Xcode may seem limited (fewer plugins), and in bigger projects, it may face stability and speed problems.
But Apple is always trying to make it better and in 2025, Xcode will operate faster and more stable on Apple silicon, which is modern hardware. For those developers who focus on the Apple ecosystem, Xcode advantages such as complete integration and up-to-date support of Apple’s new technology, changed it to the best (indeed only official and complete tool) for this work.
Android Studio
General review:
Android Studio is Google’s official developing environment for building Android applications. This IDE was introduced in 2014 and it was made based on IntelliJ IDEA from JetBrains it is instead of the old plugin named Eclipse ADT. Android Studio runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and it is provided with Android SDK, an Android emulator, and a set of specialized tools for developing Android.
Till 2025, this IDE published various versions which are named with animal names in alphabetical order such as Electric Eel, Flamingo, Giraffe, and Hedgehog, which they are corresponding with annual versions of IntelliJ. Android Studio is still the main developing environment for creating Android native apps and it supports Java language and Kotlin officially.
Strength point:
Since Android Studio is built based on IntelliJ, it inherited most advantages of a powerful IDE. Powerful code editor, refactoring tools, advanced debugger, and other items. Additionally, it has android specific tools too:
- Layout editor with drag and drop design and support of Constraint Layout.
- Easy management of sources such as string tables, images, and …
- Navigation editor for application page flow design.
- Themes and wizards to instant run various items of Android projects.
- The build system which is based on Gradle is very flexible and it synchrony greatly with IDE ( for app signature, and source packaging… )
Android emulator is one of the important strength points that is provided along with Android Studio and lets apps run on virtual devices with different settings. This emulator has been improved in recent years with VM accelerating from an operation point of view.
For operational optimization, CPU-specific profiler, memory, and network are also present in Android Studio.
Google also promotes modern Android development and Android Studio fully supports Kotlin (which has been Android’s main language since 2019) and JetPack Compose (a modern framework of user interface). With JetPack Compose we can do UI live preview and decomposition troubleshooting, directly on IDE. Tools such as Firebase, JUnit, Espresso, and … also are embedded in this environment integrally.
Totally Android Studio provides a full package for Android development, from coding and debugging to user interface design and operational optimization.
Use cases:
Android Studio is used for Android native development of all kinds of devices: cell phones, tablets, Android TV, wear OS, and even Android Auto. Whether you are creating a simple app or working on a complex multi-module project, android Studio will provide you necessary tools and constructions.
Cross-platform framework developers also use Android Studio to solve native problems or create final Android applications. For example, a React native developer or Flutter may open a project for final building or troubleshooting in Android Studio.
The main users of this IDE are often Java/Kotlin developers, but Android NDK also supports C++ and with the use of plugins it supports Flutter too.
In recent years, Google and other plugin developers added features such as AI code complement, and IntelliJ-related updates, which are always improving work experience with Android Studio. In 2025, for every serious Android project, Android Studio is a vital tool; because it provides the best tools and the newest SDKs for this platform.
GitHub Codespaces (cloud development environment)
General view:
GitHub Codespaces is one of the new innovations in the programming world which is presented from the middle of 2020 and it is the sign of growth in the cloud space. This service lets developers access a complete developing environment in cloud space through browser or VS code, without installing any software. Indeed every CodeSpace is a container (Linux virtual machine) that is hosted on Azure substructure by GitHub and it contains project code and all of its dependencies, so programmers can start programming instantly.
Till 2025, Codespaces matured and it is used by many teams for input process simplifying (onboarding) and standardizing the developing environment. According to official guidelines: GitHub Codespaces is not just a cloud editor, it is a complete developing environment that brings your local setting power to cloud space …. In this way your complete developing environment is accessible instantly.
Strength point:
Most important strength of Codespaces is its stability, integration of environments and global access. The Development environment for all team members is the same and it is declared according to configuration files.
Dominant features are as follows:
- Instant login: new users can gain a working environment with just one click and start programming in just a few minutes, without installing any local tool.
- Isolated environment: for every branch or task you can create an isolated environment.
- Deep integration with GitHub: pull request capability, online edits of files, or previewing changes without logging out of the environment.
- Hardware flexibility: if the project is heavy, you can create a powerful VM with just one click.
- Use capability on any device: even on a weak laptop or iPad, you can develop a powerful system because all of the processes are done on a server.
- Pair programming: you can share an active CodeSpace with a cooperator for pair programming or participatory debugging.
This environment makes use of VS Code technology, so its user interface is familiar to most developers, and installing VS Code plugins is also possible through it.
Use case:
Codespace is beneficial for distributed teams or open-source projects. For example, an open-source project may be configured in a way that a person can enter a developing environment with just one click and start participating without installing anything.
Professional teams also use that to ensure full coordination of all team members (tools versions, libraries, and operating systems…) especially in projects with micro service architecture or Multilanguage complicated repositories.
It is beneficial in the teaching area too. Teachers can provide just a CodeSpace link instead of a tool installation list.
Of course, cloud development is not completely replaced with local development. Consumption costs (according to minute) and the need for a stable internet are its limitations. Also, some developers because of response time speed or code sensitivity prefer local development, although Codespaces can be configured in private networks.
There are supersedes such as Gitpod, AWS Cloud9, or Visual Studio online, but in 2025, GitHub Codespaces will be pioneer in this area and gradually will change developers’ ideas about developing the environment. Maybe in the future, programming in cloud space will be as ordinary as using CI/CD services.
Nowadays professional developers often use a combination of local and cloud environments. Even Visual Studio 2022 itself can connect to remote developing servers through VS Online, but now Codespace with VS Code technology is a pioneer in previewing cloud developing potentials.
Eclipse IDE
General overview:
Eclipse was one of the old and famous IDEs of the 2000 decade and beginning of 2010 that was very practical in the Java developing world. This tool is open-source, and uses plugin-based architecture. In 2025, Eclipse was not at the peak of its popularity and many users migrated to IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code, but it kept its place in special organizational environments or specific scenarios.
Important point is that Eclipse is not just an IDE, but it is an expanded ecosystem: there exist versions for Java, C++/C (Eclipse CDT), and even cloud editors such as Eclipse Theia. But here when we say Eclipse IDE we mean classic desktop version.
According to recent pollings, the use of Eclipse by java developers will decrease to 28% in 2025 from 39% in 2024. But it is still among the 3 best IDEs. Long history and expanded support of plugins, made this tool usable for many developers.
Strength points:
The most important strength point of Eclipse is its high extensibility and number of plugins. Nearly there is an Eclipse plugin for every technology or programming language. From Java EE to UML modeling tools, support of languages such as Python with PyDev or PHP. This advantage makes Eclipse a multi-task tool in organizations.
Powerful integration with building tools such as Maven and Gradle and version control systems are other strength points.
Also, Eclipse is free and open source (under Eclipse Public License) and there is not any commercial version for it. This feature is very important for businesses with limited budgets or programmers who cannot pay for JetBrains license.
As a mature IDE, features such as code completion, refactoring, debugging and support of unit tests are provided with Eclipse. Its user interface is based on perspectives and views and it can be configured deeply.
According to one comparison: Eclipse has all software facilities an organization wants with a difference that it is free. This project is open source and it grows according to the participation of society. This fact has an advantage (free and society base) and a disadvantage that doesn’t have a centralized supporting company may result in slow improvements in appearance and user experience.
Use case:
Eclipse is still practical in some Java organization projects, especially in places where developing processes are created based on Eclipse or they are using specially customized plugins. In some industries such as insurance and banking, there have been developed internal tools based on Eclipse RPC which are still usable. Active companies in embedded system scopes, created IDEs based on Eclipse to work on microcontroller development.
C++/C developers may use Eclipse CDT in system programming scope, especially if they prefer an open source IDE. Although tools such as CLion or VS Code are famous too.
Handless running capability (without graphical interface) or Eclipse high extensibility made it usable in automatic tools such as creating and analyzing codes.
In 2025, using Eclipse often is done because of a special reason: for example needing a free or modular tool or being compatible with old systems. Otherwise for new projects, most developers prefer IntelliJ or VS Code.
Eclipse’s role in today’s workflow is more as an inherited or special tool, but it is still an important section of history and space scope of IDEs. Theia project which was developed by Eclipse foundation and has a lot of similarity to VS Code (even can run its plugins), shows this ecosystem is moving through new things.
Conclusion: Tools Role Comparison in 2025
Each of the seven tools has a unique role in software developing workflow and most developers, according to project need, use a combination of them.
Visual Studio Code has been changed to global editor and is the best tool for fast developing of web based projects and binding different tools and languages together.
IntelliJ IDEA and JetBrains IDEs family, are designed for those who need deep programming language and organizational level capability, and are dominant in areas such as java with refactor and code analysis.
Visual Studio 2022 is still the main choice for Windows heavy development. It is a versatile environment, which glows specially in big projects with debug tools, UI designs and powerful integration.
At the same time, Xcode and Android Studio, are necessary for mobile native developers, each of them provide their special tool package and operation for apple ecosystem and android.
GitHub Codespaces is a sign of change though cloud development. It is a solution for environment integration and coding from everyplace, which matches in a best way with local tools (for example it is imparted from VS Code).
Eclipse has passed its heyday but it still has a great role in special scenarios and inherited environments or organizations that need an open source and extensible IDE.
Important point is that these tools are not opposed to each other, and they combine in most modern projects.
For example, in a modern web application, developing user interfaces may be done in VS Code, back-end microservices with Kotlin developed in IntelliJ, Docker will be managed with VS Code plugins, and some sections of developing will be done with CodeSpaces. Or in game development, maybe Visual Studio 2022 do game engine coding, write scripts with VS Code and manages Android output with Android Studio.
In 2025, experienced developers often choose suitable tools for every task, they choose heavy IDEs when they need advanced support, and light editors, when speed and flexibility is important. In this situation, Visual Studio 2022 kept its place, not as a versatile solution, but as a powerful tool in the modern developing toolbox.
At the end, all of these tools continue their progress.
Increasing the use of smart coding assistants is an important one, from IntelliJCode in Visual Studio 2022 to GitHub Copilot in VS Code and AI Assistant in JetBrains.
Also integrating with cloud services and remote workflows such as CodeSpaces, VS remote developing, and JetBrains Space are important flows in modern development.
In 2025, there is not a single tool as the best developing tool. According to project needs and work style, you should choose your suitable device, but with no doubt, these 7 tools are among the best choices, each of them in their own scope.
An expert user knows he should be able to use multiple tools and understand that Visual Studio 2022 is not the end solution, but also one of key elements in a rich toolbox that ensures efficiency and quality.
