Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
Paco Velasco Reina - PeerSpot reviewer
CTO at a healthcare company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Mar 10, 2025
Easy to use, works well in the Microsoft Windows ecosystem, and integrates well with Git
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft Visual Studio is a must-have tool if you work in Windows environments."
  • "Long installation or upgrade times are sometimes a problem."

What is our primary use case?

My first use case was to develop Microsoft Windows tools in .Net Framework (formerly from 3.5). Later I developed web platforms in ASP .NET and lately, I have developed APIs in both .NET Framework and NET Core, the latest in NET 6.

The platforms that I develop in Windows environments and do not have CI/CD systems I deploy them directly from Visual Studio. The entire Windows ecosystem is well managed by Visual Studio.

When I program in Microsoft Windows I usually use Visual Studio.

How has it helped my organization?

Microsoft Visual Studio is a must-have tool if you work in Windows environments.

Organizations working on a large number of workstations or organizations that are just starting out have a complete tool for use in several versions, most popularly free. So starting or developing a project under these conditions is extremely affordable.

But back to the main feature, with Microsoft Visual Studio you have a Swiss army knife of software development (integration, development, debugging, and deployment) complete and free in its most popular version.

What is most valuable?

The features I found most valuable are those related to the Microsoft Windows ecosystem. The famous umbrella that Microsoft extends over its products.

Working with Azure or SQL Server (connect, implement, deploy, etc.) is extremely easy, a common feature in all Microsoft products.

Deploying to Azure or Windows Server with IIS is also extremely easy and enjoyable.

Finally, integration with Git has improved a lot in the latest versions, as well as integration with GitHub and Copilot.

What needs improvement?

Efficiency is the main focus. Since Visual Studio's inception, it has been a race of constant improvements and attempts to improve the efficiency of the tool in every release. However, crashes and freezes are common when you work with the tool for a long time. The problems get worse when you have more than one project under development and then you need a very powerful computer to be able to perform complex developments. Even having a very powerful computer, as in my case, does not prevent you from having freezes from time to time.

Long installation or upgrade times are sometimes a problem.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Visual Studio
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Visual Studio. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
881,733 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for more than ten years.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I had previously tried other environments such as Atom or Sublime Text, but none offered the capabilities of Microsoft Visual Studio.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The most popular version of Microsoft is the Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition. Making it free gives it a boost in all types of organizations.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I had previously tried other environments such as Atom or Sublime Text. Lately, Visual Studio Code has become very popular and I used it eventually.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Rajnish-Sharma - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior technical project manager at a computer software company with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
Top 5
Jul 31, 2023
Allows for easy integration with other tools such as MS Teams
Pros and Cons
  • "The code analysis tool is particularly valuable as it eliminates the need for manual code reviews."
  • "Sometimes, the deprecation of packages can be a challenge."

What is our primary use case?

We use Visual Studio for website development and related tasks. It's been quite helpful for us.

What is most valuable?

From a professional perspective, I've been using Visual Studio since childhood, so I find it very useful. The code analysis tool is particularly valuable as it eliminates the need for manual code reviews. 

Many essential features are built-in, making it a great tool. Additionally, it allows for easy integration with other tools like MS Teams, which enhances its usefulness.

What needs improvement?

Sometimes, the deprecation of packages can be a challenge. Although Visual Studio provides suggestions when we compile and encounter deprecated packages, it can still be confusing. Even after multiple attempts, we may struggle to fix these deprecated packages and related issues. So, it is one of the areas of improvement in Visual Studio. 

I have been working on a website that I inherited from a client, and when I tried to run it on my system, I discovered that some of the packages were either depreciated or no longer in use. It would be helpful if Visual Studio could suggest and handle such unused packages in a more user-friendly manner.

I am suggesting this as an area of improvement because recently I was working on a bigger client project. The project was functioning correctly on my system but not on another system. Later, I found that some packages were depreciated, which might have caused the issue. However, we couldn't determine the exact reason for the difference in behavior because we used the same ZIP file and the same Visual Studio version. Then, when the person tried to run the same code on her system, it didn't work. It seemed to be related to the deprecated packages. Ultimately, the solution we eventually found was to set up a new system for her, reinstalling Microsoft Visual Studio and related components. 

Another area that could greatly benefit from Microsoft within Visual Studio is unit testing. It's a pain point for every software developer. If Microsoft can provide better tools or features related to unit testing, it would be really helpful. Especially when working on complex projects, writing comprehensive test cases can be time-consuming. However, clients often cannot afford to pay for that additional time in the competitive market. 

So in future releases, having some automation capabilities or built-in support for generating test cases would be great. Although we can integrate third-party automation testing tools, they are often paid solutions. For example, I've noticed the presence of plugins like ChatGPT in Visual Studio Code, but I'm not fully aware of their capabilities. Therefore, if Visual Studio could offer some level of automation for test cases, it would be a valuable addition. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio for over 15 years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability of Visual Studio a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft has gained a lot of confidence in the market, so I would rate the scalability of Visual Studio around eight out of ten.

Based on my recent experience, sometimes, we faced difficulties with the same set of codes. Therefore, considering the recent incident, I leaned toward an eight and not a ten for scalability. 

In my company, around 20 people are using this solution.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very simple. Microsoft has made it very easy to set up.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Price-wise, it is good. We are using the paid versions, and the price is reasonable. For our company, it's a genuine price.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have only worked with Visual Studio. 

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I rate it a ten. It's very user-friendly and feature-rich.

However, there's always room for improvement in the product. Features like automation test cases to meet market requirements would be beneficial.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Visual Studio
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Visual Studio. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
881,733 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Software engineer at a university with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Jul 23, 2023
Stable platform with efficient built-in features
Pros and Cons
  • "The system can efficiently manage the databases."
  • "They could add new modules to the platform for enhanced functioning."

What is our primary use case?

The platform's use cases depend on the entire system diagram. For instance, if we have login software, it determines the users' access level. It helps admin users in uploading and managing user accounts. Other users can register, validate passwords, save, download, and upload tasks.

What is most valuable?

The system can efficiently manage the databases.

What needs improvement?

They could add new modules to the platform for enhanced functioning. If we have a new system, we can add new features and improve the product to make it better than the previous system.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio's latest version, 6.0, for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Visual Studio is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable platform.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, we used Sublime for backend connectivity. We switched because Sublime is a basic and not a standard tool for companies. We can create only small projects using it. However, Microsoft Visual Studio is an open-source tool that offers a lot of technologies. With its help, we can develop applications in various languages, create Windows or iOS software, and even build console applications.

How was the initial setup?

The setup process is easy if we are already working on a project. It is complex if we want to create a new project from start to end. The time taken for deployment depends on what kind of project we are working with. In case of any queries, we refer to YouTube videos, ChatGPT, and Google to find the solutions.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I'm using the platform's open-source version.

What other advice do I have?

If you're working on a simple project, Microsoft Visual Studio might be more than you need. You can go for it if you plan to create bigger software. It offers a wide range of built-in features. I rate it a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Jaya Prakasha Sarma - PeerSpot reviewer
Practice Head BI at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees
MSP
Top 5Leaderboard
Apr 18, 2025
Integration with various tools enhances debugging effectiveness and user experience
Pros and Cons
  • "I find Microsoft Visual Studio to be a good development environment; its integration with SQL and features like check-in, check-out, and integration with Visual SourceSafe and now the Azure counterpart are very effective for debugging applications."

    What is our primary use case?

    We are a services company, and we use Microsoft Visual Studio for .NET development, application development, and related tasks.

    What is most valuable?

    I find Microsoft Visual Studio to be a good development environment. Its integration with SQL and features like check-in, check-out, and integration with Visual SourceSafe and now the Azure counterpart are very effective for debugging applications.

    What needs improvement?

    The integration of automation capabilities, such as code auto-generation, would be beneficial. Copilot integration and other automation tools would definitely increase productivity.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio since its inception, which is more than ten years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    I believe the solution is very stable.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Microsoft Visual Studio is a fully scalable solution with no limitations.

    How are customer service and support?

    Technical support from Microsoft is very good; I would rate it a ten.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    How was the initial setup?

    I find the initial setup of Microsoft Visual Studio to be simple, and I can do it alone without needing more people.

    What about the implementation team?

    I can handle the installation all by myself.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I am not directly involved with the pricing since our company does bulk purchases. Generally, we are pretty happy with Microsoft products.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    I have not worked with any competitive products similar to Microsoft Visual Studio.

    What other advice do I have?

    Prospective users should know that it's very easy to set up and use Microsoft Visual Studio, ensuring a good user experience. I would rate my overall experience with Microsoft Visual Studio a ten.
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
    PeerSpot user
    VijaySarade - PeerSpot reviewer
    Software Engineer at a pharma/biotech company with 5,001-10,000 employees
    Real User
    Top 20
    Dec 18, 2023
    A stable solution that provides advanced design and reporting features
    Pros and Cons
    • "We can use different .NET features."
    • "The solution must provide user-friendly features."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use the solution for Windows applications and different .NET features. We also use the BI tools.

    What is most valuable?

    I like the design tools. Nowadays, it is very advanced. We can use different .NET features.

    What needs improvement?

    We have different platforms available for web development. The solution must provide user-friendly features. We get updates frequently. Multiple versions are released within a short period. We need to keep updating the solution.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using the solution for more than ten years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    I rate the tool’s stability an eight out of ten. We need to consider a lot of things while creating projects on Visual Studio. There are a lot of dependencies to add and maintain.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The tool is scalable. There are more than 1000 users in our organization.

    How are customer service and support?

    We have used Microsoft’s support for SQL Server Reporting Services. Sometimes, we do not receive prompt responses. We have to work with different teams and need to wait for resolutions.

    How was the initial setup?

    The setup is straightforward. We update the product when we get information from our teams.

    What about the implementation team?

    The deployment can be done in-house.

    What was our ROI?

    The solution has benefited us. The users are really happy to use the product for reporting purposes. It has many features.

    What other advice do I have?

    I recommend the solution to others. Overall, I rate the tool an eight out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Hybrid Cloud
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Vishal Paliwal - PeerSpot reviewer
    Xamarin Developer at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    Sep 13, 2022
    Easy to understand, simple to implement, and easy to expand
    Pros and Cons
    • "We have no issues with scaling."
    • "Every time it updates, there are issues."

    What is our primary use case?

    I'm using Visual Studio 2022 on a MacBook. 

    What is most valuable?

    The installation process is not difficult. 

    It's good overall. 

    The solution is stable. 

    We have no issues with scaling. 

    What needs improvement?

    I don't know what area needs to be better.

    Every time it updates, there are issues. It alerts to an exception and then quits. They need to improve that aspect.

    We would like a .NET core API. Currently, Visual Studio is using a .NET core six version.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I've been using the solution for around four years. 

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It's a stable solution. There are no bugs. It works well. 

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The solution can scale as needed.

    We have around 5,000 people on it. Typically, they are developers. 

    How are customer service and support?

    The solution itself is good. We don't have issues. I've never had to contact support.

    I have had to contact the Microsoft team due to some items surrounding the Xamarin platform, however.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We chose Microsoft Visual Studio due to the fact that it's a .NET part for developing applications and contains many more things like C#, a mobile application for Xamarin, and MBC, et cetera. That's why many people are using it. I can't speak to what was used before.

    How was the initial setup?

    It's very simple to install the solution. First, you need to install it, then, we need to install Xcode for iOS and Android SDK for Android. We need to install the Xamarin profiler when using Visual Studio as well.

    It's a big file that you need to download during installation. For Android and iOS, it's something like a 20GB file that needs to be downloaded. Visual Studio is not more than 3GB to 4GB to set up, however, Android SDK is a very big file, which is why it's more than 15GB.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I don't deal with the licensing aspects of the product. I'm not sure how much we pay.

    What other advice do I have?

    Currently, I'm using Visual Studio version 2022.

    I'd recommend the solution to others. It's a great product.

    It's very easy to understand and develop the application.

    I'd rate it an eight out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Hybrid Cloud
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    LorenzoMoore - PeerSpot reviewer
    IT Project Manager (Assistant Director, Technology Division) at a government with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    Jul 2, 2022
    Beneficial user interface, flexible, and good support
    Pros and Cons
    • "The most valuable feature of Microsoft Visual Studio is the user interface."
    • "The best advice I can give to others is to take training because it's so easy to use out of the box. However, you might tend to install it and maybe configure it improperly. You need to have some training."

    What is our primary use case?

    I am using Microsoft Visual Studio for software development.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Microsoft Visual Studio has improved the way our organization functions by allowing us to develop applications rapidly.

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuable feature of Microsoft Visual Studio is the user interface.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using Microsoft Visual Studio for approximately 15 years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    I have found Microsoft Visual Studio to be stable.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Microsoft Visual Studio is scalable.

    We have an assistant director and software development using Microsoft Visual Studio in my department. In the whole company, there could be hundreds using Microsoft Visual Studio.

    In my department, they do not like Microsoft Visual Studio, but across the departments, we will increase the usage of Microsoft Visual Studio.

    How are customer service and support?

    I rate the support from Microsoft Visual Studio a four out of five.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I have used a couple of different packages prior to Microsoft Visual Studio.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup of Microsoft Visual Studio was straightforward and take approximately 20 minutes.

    What about the implementation team?

    We have two people for the deployment and maintenance of Microsoft Visual Studio.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The cost of using Microsoft Visual Studio is approximately $1,700 per user.

    I rate the price of Microsoft Visual Studio a four out of five.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    I evaluated other solutions before choosing Microsoft Visual Studio, such as DELFI. I chose Microsoft Visual Studio because it was easier to use and more flexible.

    What other advice do I have?

    The best advice I can give to others is to take training because it's so easy to use out of the box. However, you might tend to install it and maybe configure it improperly. You need to have some training.

    I rate Microsoft Visual Studio a nine out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Technical Team Lead at a educational organization with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Dec 15, 2023
    Intuitive database technology with robust integrated development environment, offering high scalability, excellent collaboration features and strong stability
    Pros and Cons
    • "Notably, the Enterprise version facilitates seamless integration with Microsoft products, leveraging the ease of connectivity within the Microsoft ecosystem."
    • "Despite its advantages, challenges in diverse cloud environments may prompt the uninstallation of the application or entire development environment for resolution."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use it for comprehensive support in software development, encompassing tasks such as code writing, unit testing, and deployment to both cloud and on-premises services.

    How has it helped my organization?

    It proved versatile for diverse purposes, serving as a valuable tool for developing solutions across web, desktop, and mobile platforms. It facilitated not only coding activities but also aided in managing repositories and deploying applications to various environments, whether they be cloud-based or on-premises infrastructure.

    What is most valuable?

    Within Visual Support, there are three versions available, each housed in distinct containers. I'm focusing on the Enterprise version due to its customizable nature. This version boasts additional features, such as a pricing application for enhanced functionality and comprehensive unit testing coverage. The testing capabilities extend to diverse features, providing a thorough examination of different aspects. Notably, the Enterprise version facilitates seamless integration with Microsoft products, leveraging the ease of connectivity within the Microsoft ecosystem. Moreover, it supports integration with open-source products, including Python, allowing for a flexible and inclusive approach to development.

    What needs improvement?

    When using Visual Support for web development, challenges arise when specific components require hardware configurations beyond the application's scope. Efforts are directed at enhancing the IDE and introducing features for seamless collaboration, extending to Azure with the Explore version. This version incorporates "live share," enabling real-time code collaboration among team members. Despite its advantages, challenges in diverse cloud environments may prompt the uninstallation of the application or entire development environment for resolution.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been working with it for approximately thirteen years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The stability is noteworthy because Visual Studio offers both a release and a preview version. The release version is reliable, free of issues, and suitable for general use. However, for those seeking additional features and improvements, the preview version is available. This version allows users to test new features directly and report any issues to the community for resolution. While encountering some issues in the preview version, they are typically addressed promptly through community feedback, resulting in a stable and refined release version shortly thereafter. I would rate it eight out of ten.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    High scalability makes it a strong recommendation, especially for enterprise-level development, given its robust capabilities as an integrated development environment. I would rate it ten out of ten.

    How are customer service and support?

    I've interacted with Microsoft support, but the community support for Visual Studio testing has been particularly outstanding. Unlike conventional support, the community channels provide an open and collaborative environment, similar to open-source platforms. This allows users to easily report issues, open discussions, and communicate effectively, making it a gateway to a more responsive and interactive support experience.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    Having used various products at different companies, I must highlight that Microsoft's development technology, particularly in the realm of databases, has proven to be more intuitive and superior. It demonstrated a higher level of user-friendliness and efficiency.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is straightforward. Simply download the controller and proceed with the installation, selecting the desired options for a new environment and clicking through the prompts. I would rate it nine out of ten.

    What about the implementation team?

    Setting it up in the initial stages used to be a time-consuming process, often taking more than an hour. This was primarily due to the need to download setup data, often distributed on CDs or DVDs, and then proceed with the installation. Additionally, a decade ago, machines were not as swift, further extending the setup time. However, in recent years, there's been a more efficient option. Users now have two options: an online installation and an offline installation. For the online version, users simply download it and direct it to the storage directory on their machines.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The pricing varies depending on the version, and with three options available (Community, Professional, and Enterprise), you can choose based on your needs. While the enterprise version can be relatively expensive due to its comprehensive features, I find the license I currently possess to be reasonable, considering it includes the full suite without additional activations or charges.

    What other advice do I have?

    Overall, I would rat it ten out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Microsoft Visual Studio Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: January 2026
    Product Categories
    .NET Development Services
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Microsoft Visual Studio Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.