WebStorm is Now Free for Non-Commercial Use—Should you ditch VSCode?

JetBrains recently announced that WebStorm, their powerful JavaScript and TypeScript IDE, is now free for non-commercial use. This means hobbyists, students, and open-source contributors can enjoy WebStorm’s full suite of features without paying a dime—provided they’re not using it for professional, revenue-generating projects. This shift has many developers, myself included, reevaluating whether it’s time to give WebStorm another chance.

I was a paid WebStorm user for two years, and while I enjoyed its rich feature set and seamless development experience, I did find it a tad slower compared to VS Code, especially during startup. That said, I’m also a big fan of IntelliJ IDEA, so the IntelliJ-like experience of WebStorm always felt familiar and intuitive to me. With this new pricing model, I’ve re-downloaded WebStorm to see if I should abandon VSCode again.

What Makes WebStorm Special?

WebStorm has always stood out as an IDE that works straight out of the box. Unlike VS Code, which relies heavily on extensions for advanced functionality, WebStorm delivers an integrated experience with intelligent features baked in.

Here’s a quick rundown of what makes WebStorm shine:

• Deep Code Analysis: WebStorm offers unparalleled code intelligence, with features like smart auto-completion, refactoring tools, and error detection that feel a step ahead of most editors.
• Built-In Tools: Debugging, testing, and version control are seamlessly integrated, saving you from cobbling together multiple extensions.
• Framework Support: React, Vue.js, Angular, Svelte—you name it, WebStorm has robust support for your favorite front-end framework.
• IntelliJ Familiarity: For IntelliJ IDEA fans like me, WebStorm feels like home, with a similar interface and workflow.

Despite its strengths, one downside I’ve noticed is that WebStorm can feel sluggish, particularly during startup or when working on large projects. VS Code, being a lightweight editor, wins on speed, which is an important consideration if you prioritize quick and responsive performance.

Why This Move is a Big Deal

This shift to a free-for-non-commercial-use model is great news for the developer community, especially those who work on hobby projects, side hustles, or open-source contributions. Now, you don’t have to choose between a premium IDE and your wallet.

For professionals and businesses, WebStorm still requires a paid license, but the free tier opens up options for anyone tinkering with projects in their spare time. It’s hard not to see this as a positive change—more competition often means better tools and experiences for everyone.

And if WebStorm isn’t your style? Well, there are always other free options—if you’re a no-lifer willing to spend hours configuring Vim or Neovim to get the same functionality. (Kudos to you if that’s your thing!)

So, Should You Try WebStorm?

If you’ve been curious about WebStorm, now’s the perfect time to check it out—especially if you’re already familiar with IntelliJ-based IDEs. I’ve started using it again, and while it’s not perfect, I’m excited to see how it compares to VS Code for my current projects.

What about you? Are you considering trying WebStorm? Have you used it before? I’d love to hear your thoughts—whether you’re sticking with VS Code, embracing WebStorm, or staying loyal to your meticulously crafted Vim setup. Let’s discuss!