Free Nova alternatives

All Nova alternatives

1. 

   

   Visual Studio Code

   193.6KstarsLike

   Visual Studio Code is a free source code editor from Microsoft that runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and in the browser. It combines IntelliSense completion, a built-in debugger, Git tools and an integrated terminal with a large extensions marketplace. It is built on the MIT-licensed Code - OSS project and integrates GitHub Copilot for AI chat and agent workflows.

   12 Visual Studio Code alternatives

   Pros

   • Huge extensions marketplace for almost any language or tool
   • Integrated terminal, debugger and Git tools
   • Remote development over SSH, in containers and with WSL

   Cons

   • Official builds include Microsoft telemetry and proprietary components
   • As an Electron app it uses more memory than native editors
   • Large extension setups can slow it down

   Cost / License

   FreeOpen source

   Categories

   Code Editors & IDEs

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMacLinux

   Features

   AI assistantCode completionDebuggerExtensions marketplaceGit integrationRemote development

   Visit websiteMore about Visual Studio Code
2. 

   

   Zed

   91.6KstarsLike

   Zed is a code editor written in Rust by the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, with a GPU-rendered interface that stays fast on large projects. It includes multiplayer editing, an agent panel that works with several AI models, edit predictions, Git tools, remote development over SSH and an extensions registry. Zed is open source under the GPL and runs on macOS, Linux and Windows; paid plans cover hosted AI usage.

   12 Zed alternatives

   Pros

   • GPU-rendered interface that stays fast on large projects
   • Built-in multiplayer editing and an agent panel for several AI models
   • Open source under the GPL

   Cons

   • Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
   • Some IDE features are less mature than in established editors
   • Hosted AI usage requires a paid plan

   Cost / License

   FreemiumOpen source

   Categories

   Code Editors & IDEsAI Coding Assistants

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   AI assistantCode completionExtensions marketplaceGit integrationReal-time collaborationRemote development

   Visit websiteMore about Zed
3. 

   

   WebStorm

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   WebStorm is a JetBrains IDE dedicated to JavaScript and TypeScript, with built-in support for React, Angular, Vue, Node.js and common test runners. It provides smart completion, safe refactorings, a debugger for browser and Node code, and Git tools without extra plugins. WebStorm is free for non-commercial use, and a paid license is required for commercial work.

   8 WebStorm alternatives

   Pros

   • Built-in support for React, Angular, Vue and Node.js
   • Smart completion and safe refactoring for JavaScript and TypeScript
   • Free for non-commercial use

   Cons

   • Commercial use requires a paid license
   • Heavier than VS Code for quick edits

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Code Editors & IDEs

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   AI assistantCode completionDebuggerExtensions marketplaceGit integrationTerminal integration

   Visit websiteMore about WebStorm
4. 

   

   Cursor

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   Cursor is a code editor from Anysphere, forked from VS Code, with AI integrated throughout the workflow. Its Tab model predicts multi-line edits, chat understands the whole codebase, and agent mode plans and applies changes across files while running terminal commands. Background agents can also work on tasks in the cloud. It stays compatible with VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings, and has a free Hobby plan.

   12 Cursor alternatives

   Pros

   • Tab completion predicts multi-line edits as you type
   • Agent mode applies changes across files and runs commands
   • Keeps VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings

   Cons

   • Request limits and usage-based billing can be confusing
   • As a VS Code fork, it can lag behind upstream updates
   • The free Hobby plan is quickly limiting for daily work

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   AI Coding AssistantsCode Editors & IDEs

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionExtensions marketplaceTerminal integration

   Visit websiteMore about Cursor
5. 

   

   VSCodium

   33.6KstarsLike

   VSCodium is a community project that compiles the open source VS Code codebase into ready-to-use MIT-licensed binaries, with Microsoft telemetry disabled and branding removed. It offers the same editing experience, debugger, terminal and Git tools, and installs extensions from the Open VSX registry instead of the Microsoft marketplace. It suits developers who want the VS Code workflow in a fully open source package.

   12 VSCodium alternatives

   Pros

   • The VS Code experience without Microsoft telemetry or branding
   • Fully open source, MIT-licensed binaries
   • Ready-made builds for Windows, macOS and Linux

   Cons

   • Open VSX lacks some extensions found in the Microsoft marketplace
   • Microsoft extensions such as Pylance or Remote SSH are not officially usable

   Cost / License

   FreeOpen source

   Categories

   Code Editors & IDEs

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Code completionDebuggerExtensions marketplaceGit integrationTerminal integration

   Visit websiteMore about VSCodium
6. 

   

   Xcode

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   Xcode is Apple's free development environment for building apps for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS. It bundles the Swift and Objective-C toolchains, SwiftUI previews, Interface Builder, device simulators, Instruments for profiling, a debugger and tools to submit apps to the App Store. Recent versions add predictive code completion and coding help from AI models. It runs on macOS only.

   7 Xcode alternatives

   Pros

   • Everything needed to build and ship Apple apps in one free package
   • SwiftUI previews, simulators and Instruments built in
   • Built-in tools to submit apps to the App Store

   Cons

   • Runs only on macOS, so a Mac is required
   • Large downloads and updates take up a lot of disk space
   • Indexing and previews can be slow or unstable on large projects

   Cost / License

   FreeProprietary

   Categories

   Code Editors & IDEs

   Platforms

   Mac

   Features

   AI assistantCode completionDebuggerGit integration

   Visit websiteMore about Xcode
7. 

   

   Neovim

   103KstarsLike

   Neovim is a community-driven fork of Vim that keeps modal editing while modernizing the codebase. It adds first-class Lua scripting, a built-in Language Server Protocol client, Tree-sitter syntax highlighting, an embedded terminal and an RPC API that lets other programs use it as an editing engine. It is free and open source, and popular with developers who build a customized, keyboard-driven setup.

   12 Neovim alternatives

   Pros

   • Lua scripting makes configuration and plugins easier to write
   • Built-in LSP client and Tree-sitter highlighting
   • Fast, keyboard-driven editing that runs anywhere in a terminal

   Cons

   • Modal editing has a steep learning curve
   • Turning it into a full IDE takes time and ongoing plugin maintenance

   Cost / License

   FreeOpen source

   Categories

   Code Editors & IDEs

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   API accessCode completionPlugins & extensionsTerminal integration

   Visit websiteMore about Neovim