When it comes to Python development, PyCharm and Visual Studio Code (VS Code) are two of the most capable integrated development environments (IDEs) available today. Both have pros and cons depending on your needs.
This extensive feature comparison examines all capabilities of these IDEs to help you decide which best matches your priorities as a Python developer.
A Brief History
First, a quick history lesson sheds light on the origins of each IDE.
PyCharm was first released in 2010 by Czech-based software company JetBrains. With deep roots in Java tooling, JetBrains aimed to create the ultimate IDE specifically tailored for Python and web programming needs. Over the past decade, iterative versions have added capabilities while retaining PyCharm‘s focus on the Python ecosystem.
VS Code arrived much later in 2015, when Microsoft surprised developers with this new flexible and free source code editor. Microsoft noticed a shift towards more lightweight coding tools rather than traditional heavy IDEs. With a strong foundation in their earlier Visual Studio Code editor, they built out VS Code‘s extension framework to support major programming languages. Microsoft‘s shift towards open source also aligned with VS Code‘s free availability.
Underlying Architectures
Under the hood, PyCharm and VS Code rely on different architectures that influence their capabilities and resource requirements.
PyCharm utilizes the Java-based IntelliJ platform pioneered by JetBrains for its IDEs. With deep intelligence about code backed by strong analysis, this enables PyCharm‘s advanced autocompletion, refactoring capabilities, and context-aware coding assistance. The tradeoff is higher memory usage and initialization times as seen in other Java applications.
VS Code is built using web technologies powered by Node.js, taking cues from modern web browsers. This allows it to retain performance despite extensions that plug directly into the editor. Microsoft develops VS Code entirely in the open, with 55% of contributions coming from outside the company demonstrating its broad adoption.
Latest Features and Updates
Both IDEs continually enhance existing features while expanding capabilities in new releases:
PyCharm 2022.3
- Improved performance for large files
- Database schema comparison tools
- Enhanced test runner and coverage
- New project wizard for Python-C++ interop
- Poetry environment management
VS Code November 2022
- Workspaces to group projects
- GitHub Pull Request improvements
- Notebook enhancements
- Remote development in containers
- Built-in Checks for accessibility
As we can observe, PyCharm caters more to serious Python developers with additions like Poetry and NumPy support. VS Code aims for general IDE enhancements around project organization and collaboration rather than specific to a language.
Developer Experiences and Case Studies
What do developers have to say about using PyCharm and VS Code? Various user perspectives shed light on why they picked one IDE over the other:
"I‘ve used VS Code for JavaScript, but when I started learning data science with Python, PyCharm‘s integration with Jupyter Notebooks, pandas, matplotlib, and scipy made it so much easier to be productive compared to configuring all the extensions in VS Code." – Sanjay G., Data Analyst
"As a freelance full stack developer, I need flexibility more than anything. VS Code works smoothly across so many languages and platforms. Finding an extension for anything I need keeps me productive. Lighter than other feature-heavy IDEs too when working on client projects." – Mira C., Full Stack Developer
"PyCharm just ‘gets‘ me as a Python developer – code completion that understands what I want, powerful debugger tailored to Python, integration with tools I use like pytest and Django. Tried other editors but was more productive in PyCharm from day one." – Joanna P., Backend Engineer
We gather that for Python-centric development, PyCharm surpasses expectations while VS Code‘s adaptability appeals in multi-language scenarios.
Survey Data and Statistics
In fact, survey data indicates strong user satisfaction for both IDEs:
PyCharm:
- 4.7/5 rating on G2 crowd from 1,300+ user reviews
- StackOverflow developer survey ranks PyCharm as the most loved IDE
VS Code:
- 4.8/5 rating on G2 Crowd from 90,000+ users
- Top ranking IDE on StackOverflow survey results
Although VS Code sees higher adoption overall likely due to its flexibility, PyCharm leads specifically amongst Python developers.
Interface and visual comparison
While both IDEs allow customizing your workspace, their approaches differ quite a bit as is visible from the user interfaces.
PyCharm on the left provides more panes, tool windows and information by default tailored to common development tasks. Extensive code completion and context-relevant actions also minimize needing to navigate through menus.
VS Code on the right favours minimalism showing only the file explorer and debugging panes upfront in its default state. The focus is less on overwhelming developers with options, rather providing capabilities through extensions only as needed.
So programmers who desire seeing more support information at a glance could lean towards PyCharm, while those wanting greater workspace simplicity get that in VS Code. Both allow moving, hiding and adjusting layouts as you prefer.
Performance and Benchmarks
We know both IDEs have different internal architectures that could impact performance – how do they compare benchmarks on common tasks?
Let‘s evaluate starting up time and project indexing:
| Metric | PyCharm | VS Code |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Start Time | 3-5 seconds | < 1 seconds |
| Large Project Indexing (300k files) | 35 seconds | 15 seconds |
VS Code‘s lower overhead architecture pays dividends enabling snappier loading and responsiveness. But PyCharm‘s intelligent analysis results in significantly faster searching through large projects once indexed.
In memory usage, VS Code also consumes ~200-300 MB RAM on average compared to PyCharm‘s 600-800 MB RAM for sizable codebases.
Getting Started
For those setting up either IDE for the first time, what should you expect during onboarding and initial configuration steps?
PyCharm
- Download installer from JetBrains website
- Select theme customization during first launch
- Import settings from another IDE or start fresh
- Configure interpreter and SDK settings
- Install plugins as desired
- Create new project or import existing code
VS Code:
- Download installer for platform from Microsoft
- Launch editor and pick a theme color scheme
- Install any extensions recommended for language
- Open folder to start new project
- Adjust default settings as needed
- Integrate terminal and source control
PyCharm offers richer customization options but has more configuration needed before starting development. VS Code‘s simplicity lets developers open projects faster with further tweaks done optionally when needed.
Debugging Capabilities
Now an area you certainly want your IDE to excel at – debugging code to squash bugs! This table summarizes how PyCharm and VS Code debugging tools compare:
| Feature | PyCharm | VS Code |
|---|---|---|
| GUI Debugger | Seamless Python visual debugger | Extension for Python debugger UI |
| Breakpoints | Powerful conditional and exceptional breakpoints | Solid breakpoints features |
| Debugging Speed | Very fast even for large codebases | Comparable debugging speed |
| Multithreaded | Supports concurrent breakpoint debugging | Rely on debugger extensions for multithread support |
| Remote Debugging | Easy remote interpreter configuration | Built-in remote debugging via SSH |
| Data Inspection | In-depth data visualization while debugging | Good variable examination tools |
We observe PyCharm has very robust dedicated visual tools tailored for Python. VS Code counterbalances through the power of its extensions – but likely requires more setup compared to PyCharm‘s built-in capabilities.
Testing Frameworks
Testing plays an indispensable role in delivering high quality Python applications. As a result, integrating testing workflows into the IDE proves extremely useful.
This chart shows the out-of-the-box testing types supported, though frameworks can be added in either IDE via plugins:
| PyCharm | VS Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Testing | unittest, pyTest, nose, etc | pyTest via extensions |
| Integration Testing | Yes | Through extensions |
| Code Coverage | Yes | Coverage extensions available |
For hardcore testing needs, PyCharm ships readymade integration that adds serious muscle to test driven development. VS Code can match those capabilities via the Microsoft Python extension or dedicated testing plugins.
Security and Compliance
For organizations and enterprises additional factors like security assurance and compliance certifications also influence tooling decisions.
This table summarizes how PyCharm and VS Code stack up:
| Category | PyCharm | VS Code |
|---|---|---|
| Data Privacy | GDPR compliant | Follows GDPR standards |
| Encryption | Project data encrypted in professional version | Rely on extensions for encryption features |
| Accessibility | Partial screen reader support | Full accessibility compliance |
When it comes to security, both IDE platforms have robust measures:
- Secure boot mechanisms
- Permission management
- App sandboxing features
- Ongoing penetration testing
Compliance wise, VS Code‘s accessibility focus gives it an edge for inclusive development needs. But PyCharm provides integrated project encryption for enhanced security.
Developer Community Support
Besides official channels, active developer communities offer valuable troubleshooting and insights using IDEs effectively.
Let‘s examine social metrics that signify the health of IDE developer communities:
| PyCharm | VS Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Twitter Followers | 44.6k | 189k |
| Reddit Subscribers | 4.2k | 262k |
| StackOverflow Questions | 120k+ | 255k+ |
| YouTube Tutorial Videos | 14.3k | 159k |
We determine VS Code‘s mainstream popularity translates into more users discussing it across forums. But PyCharm still maintains healthy community interest – especially on Stack Overflow from Python developers.
Roadmap and Future
Both JetBrains and Microsoft actively share future plans soliciting user feedback into the IDE evolution.
PyCharm roadmap highlights:
- Improved collaborative editing
- Enhanced profiling for optimizing CPU and memory usage
- Revamped test runner
- Mac M1 Silicon and Linux ARM optimization
VS Code upcoming capabilities:
- Workspaces organization
- Remote development flexibility
- Extension trust and verification
- Startup time improvements
Microsoft focuses considerably on bringing collaboration capabilities on par with traditional IDEs. JetBrains continues pushing PyCharm‘s professional Python tooling further.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Maksim Kabakou/Shutterstock.
The Bottom Line
To conclude – should you choose PyCharm or VS Code? Consider these guidelines:
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For dedicated Python coding across applications, data science, DevOps, OS scripting etc PyCharm is the way to go. Its custom-built feature set for Python saves tremendous time.
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For those seeking a nimble, flexible coding environment for not only Python but JavaScript, web projects, and more languages via extensions – VS Code proves valuable. Its responsiveness on lightweight hardware coupled with the ability to tweak it just the way you like, are big advantages.
Either way – as this extensive feature comparison demonstrated – you have two very capable solutions. So factoring your specific coding needs and priorities ultimately determines which IDE serves you best!
