I often see mixed reviews about using Zed instead of Visual Studio Code . Some people are extremely enthusiastic about Zed’s speed, while others are dissatisfied because they don’t have the vast plugin ecosystem of VS Code.
In all of this, I would like to share my experience.
In the development world, choosing a code editor is an almost sacred decision, one of those personal preferences that can ignite endless arguments.
For years, Visual Studio Code has been my trusted companion, an undisputed behemoth offering almost unlimited flexibility and power. Yet, recently, I made a choice that might seem like a step backwards to some: I switched to Zed.
And I’ll explain why this decision, for me, was the most logical and productive.
When less is really more
In the past, my work focused primarily on web development with PHP, HTML, CSS, and MySQL, along with teaching. For this reason, I was always looking for tools that could be used on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Today, more out of passion or the needs of some old clients, I occasionally update existing projects. I no longer need an arsenal of complex tools or features that extend to machine learning or desktop application development.
My primary need is just one: an agile, fast development environment that doesn’t get between me and the code.
Visual Studio Code, with its vast ecosystem of extensions, can do practically anything. But this incredible versatility is also its greatest burden.
Over time, I felt it becoming increasingly “large,” a transatlantic liner where all I needed was a fast motorboat to navigate my projects. Startup was no longer instantaneous, and resource consumption, though optimized, was taking its toll.
This is where Zed came into play.
The difference in performance was obvious from the first moment. Zed is incredibly lightweight and responsive. Opening files, global searches, and the overall fluidity of the interface gave me a sense of immediacy I’d forgotten.
A focused focus on my workflow
Zed’s philosophy seems almost tailored to my needs. Being a relatively new editor, it doesn’t claim to be a “jack of all trades.” Its feature set is essential, clean, and focused on what you really need to write code.
For my tech stack, this simplicity is a strength, not a weakness.
Of course, Zed’s maturity is still a work in progress. The plugin ecosystem, for example, isn’t even close to that of VS Code. I’d like the plugins for PHP, HTML, and CSS to be more complete and refined, perhaps with the same level of development found on Microsoft’s platform.
Become a member
But honestly, this isn’t a problem that’s holding me back. Zed is growing rapidly, and its community is active and promising. I’m confident that, with time, these shortcomings will be overcome.
Zed vs. VS Code: The Differences That Matter
Ignoring for a moment the features we now take for granted (such as debugging, Git integration, or AI assistance), I find these aspects particularly interesting:
Zed:
Speed
- , Extremely fast and lightweight, thanks to the use of Rust and GPU rendering.
- Minimalism: Clean, distraction-free interface designed for maximum focus on your code.
- Collaboration: Natively integrated code sharing and collaborative editing capabi lities.
VS Code:
- Flexibility: Highly customizable, although this can lead to a more chaotic environment.
- Extensibility: Large and mature ecosystem, with thousands of extensions for almost every need imaginable.
- Comprehensiveness: It is a tool that adapts to any language, framework or platform.
The choice of the editor is not a competition, but a question of context
We often fall into the trap of looking for the “best” editor. The truth is, none exists.
The choice should not be dictated only by speed, the beauty of the interface or the number of features, but by the specific use we make of it every day.
VS Code remains an extraordinary tool, and for many developers with different needs than mine, it’s undoubtedly the best choice. But for me, with my focus on web development with PHP, HTML, and CSS, Zed fits the bill perfectly.
It gives me exactly what I need, without frills and with a performance that allows me to focus only on what really matters: my idea and the code.
Conclusion
My switch to Zed is not a rejection of Visual Studio Code, but a conscious choice based on my work context.
Because the perfect editor doesn’t exist. However, there is the perfect editor for the job at hand. And for me, today, that editor is Zed.
Have you also made the switch to Zed or are you considering it? Share your experience in the comments, and if this article was helpful, please give it a thumbs up!
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