No more JetBrains products for me

For years, I’ve been a loyal JetBrains user. IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm – I’ve paid for licenses for several of their IDEs. They’re powerful, feature-rich, and generally make a developer’s life easier. But recently, I made a big decision: I cancelled all my JetBrains subscriptions. And honestly? It’s been liberating, especially from a financial perspective. This isn’t a hit piece against JetBrains; their tools are excellent. It’s about a reassessment of value and aligning my software costs with my financial goals. If you're a developer looking to optimize your budget, this might be a story worth reading.

§The Breaking Point: Subscription Fatigue and Rising Costs

The initial cost of a single JetBrains license doesn’t seem that high. But when you factor in multiple IDEs, yearly renewals, and the potential need for organizational licenses… it adds up quickly. I work with a variety of languages and frameworks. This naturally led to needing different JetBrains products for different projects.

§Here's a breakdown of what I was paying annually:

IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate: ~$299
PyCharm Professional: ~$249
WebStorm: ~$199

That’s already $747 per year just for these three. And let's be real, as a freelancer, I was the organization. This isn’t even considering the potential cost of other JetBrains tools like Rider or GoLand.

The straw that broke the camel’s back wasn't a single price increase, but a cumulative effect. It was “subscription fatigue”. I realized I was paying for features I rarely used, simply because they were there. I'm aiming for financial independence, and regularly reviewing expenses is crucial. That $747 could be going towards investments, debt repayment, or other things that actively build wealth, not just facilitate my work. It felt like money leaking away.

*(Image suggestion: A graphic depicting money flowing out of a leaky bucket labelled "Software Subscriptions".

§The Alternatives: VS Code and Beyond

The biggest question, of course, was: what replaces JetBrains? The answer, for me, was a return to Visual Studio Code (VS Code). I'd dabbled with it before, but always found myself gravitating back to the more fully-featured JetBrains IDEs. However, VS Code has matured significantly.

§Here's why VS Code became my primary choice:

Free and Open Source: This is the biggest benefit. Zero subscription cost.
Extensibility: VS Code’s extension marketplace is incredible. You can tailor it to support almost any language or framework. I’ve found extensions that provide similar functionality to the features I used in JetBrains IDEs. offers a curated list of must-have extensions for various programming languages.
Performance: VS Code is surprisingly lightweight and fast, even with numerous extensions installed.
Cross-Platform: Works seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Git Integration: Excellent built-in Git support.

However, VS Code wasn't the only alternative I explored. For specific tasks, I also started using:

Neovim: For quick edits and scripting. It has a steep learning curve, but once mastered, it's incredibly efficient.
Online IDEs (like Replit or CodeSandbox): For prototyping and collaboration. These are great when you don’t want to set up a local development environment.
Sublime Text: A powerful, customizable text editor that I occasionally use for specific tasks.

§Bridging the Gap: Replicating JetBrains Features in VS Code

One of my biggest concerns was losing the features I relied on in JetBrains IDEs. Things like intelligent code completion, powerful debugging tools, and integrated refactoring. Fortunately, VS Code's extension ecosystem largely filled the gap.

§Here’s how I replicated some key features:

§| JetBrains Feature | VS Code Equivalent | Extensions (Examples) |

|---|---|---| | Intelligent Code Completion | Language Server Protocol (LSP) | Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C++, Java extensions | | Powerful Debugging | VS Code Debugger | Native debugging support for many languages | | Code Refactoring | Language-specific extensions | Python, JavaScript/TypeScript extensions | | Database Tools | Database Client extensions | [Specific database client extension name] | | Version Control | Built-in Git Support | GitLens extension for enhanced Git visualization |

*(Image suggestion: A side-by-side comparison screenshot of VS Code and IntelliJ IDEA, highlighting similar features like code completion and debugging.

It took some time to configure VS Code and find the right extensions, but the effort was well worth it. I've even discovered new tools and workflows that I wouldn’t have considered before. The VS Code community is incredibly active, constantly developing and improving extensions.

§The Financial Impact: Where Did the Savings Go?

So, how much have I actually saved?

As mentioned earlier, I was paying $747 per year for my JetBrains subscriptions. Switching to VS Code and other free alternatives has saved me that entire amount.

But the real benefit isn’t just the $747. It’s the opportunity cost. That money is now being invested. I've used those savings to:

Increase my contributions to my Roth IRA.
Pay down high-interest debt.
Build up my emergency fund.

These actions have a much greater long-term impact on my financial well-being than simply having access to a few extra IDE features.

§Is This Right for You? Considerations and Caveats

This switch isn’t necessarily the right move for everyone. Here are some things to consider:

Your Workflow: If you’re heavily reliant on specific JetBrains features that are difficult to replicate in VS Code, the transition might be disruptive.
Team Standardization: If your team relies on JetBrains IDEs for consistency, switching might not be feasible.
Learning Curve: While VS Code is relatively easy to learn, configuring it and finding the right extensions takes time and effort.
Complexity: Some large, complex projects might be easier to manage with a more fully-featured IDE like IntelliJ IDEA.

However, if you’re a developer who’s looking to save money, or who’s open to exploring alternatives, I highly recommend giving VS Code a try. You might be surprised at how much functionality you can get for free.

§Beyond Software: Other Ways to Cut Development Costs

Cutting software costs is just one aspect of financial optimization for developers. Here are a few other ideas:

Free Hosting Options: Explore free tiers offered by cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
Open Source Alternatives: Look for open source alternatives to commercial tools for tasks like database management, project management, and design.
DIY Solutions: Don’t be afraid to build your own tools and scripts to automate tasks.
Refurbished Hardware: Consider buying refurbished laptops or monitors to save money on equipment. https://example.com/ has a great selection of certified refurbished products.
Cloud IDEs for Occasional Use: For small projects or one-off tasks, cloud IDEs can eliminate the need for local setup and ongoing maintenance.

§Final Thoughts: Taking Control of Your Spending

Switching from JetBrains to VS Code wasn’t just about saving money. It was about taking control of my spending and aligning my resources with my financial goals. It forced me to re-evaluate what features I actually needed and to explore alternative tools and workflows. I'm happier, more efficient, and financially healthier as a result. And for those looking to get a better handle on their budget, I'd recommend starting with a review of your software subscriptions - you might be surprised at what you can cut! You can even find great deals on tech accessories at places like https://example.com/.

§Disclaimer:

I am an affiliate for some of the products and services mentioned in this article. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of my affiliate links. However, my opinions are my own and are not influenced by any potential financial gain. I only recommend products and services that I believe are valuable and relevant to my audience.