kitio.aiVisual Studio Code vs Eraser
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Visual Studio Code is completely free, while Eraser is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- AI agents that plan and code
- Model selection
- MCP support
- Extension marketplace
- Integrated terminal and debugger
- Web version
- AI diagram generation
- Diagrams from code and Terraform
- Live architecture maps
- Eraserbot auto-updates
- Diagramming API
- Confluence, Notion and GitHub integrations
| Feature | Visual Studio Code | Eraser |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Free open-source editor with built-in AI agents for coding | AI diagrams and architecture maps for engineering teams |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $60/mo |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes |
| Made by | Microsoft | Eraser Labs |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Visual Studio Code is completely free, while Eraser is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- 3 files
- 3 AI credits
- 7-day version history
Business
$60/mo
- Per user
- 100 AI credits per month
- Unlimited files
- 1 Git repo and 1 data source
Business Plus
$42/user/mo billed yearly
- Per user
- Minimum 10 seats
- 250 AI credits per month
- SAML SSO
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Unlimited AI credits
- Custom hosting
- SCIM and SIEM logging
Prices in USD, checked Oct 29, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Visual Studio Code
- Free and open source
- Huge extension ecosystem
- Runs on all major desktop systems
- Heavier than lightweight editors
- AI features may need separate model access
- Extensions vary in quality
Eraser
- Diagrams directly from code and IaC
- Unlimited free guests on all plans
- Fits existing docs tools
- Free plan has only 3 files
- Paid plans charged per member
- Monthly billing costs more than annual
Which one should you choose?
Choose Visual Studio Code if you want:
- Free and open source
- Huge extension ecosystem
- Runs on all major desktop systems
Watch out: heavier than lightweight editors.
Choose Eraser if you want:
- Diagrams directly from code and IaC
- Unlimited free guests on all plans
- Fits existing docs tools
Watch out: free plan has only 3 files.
Visual Studio Code vs Eraser FAQ
What is the difference between Visual Studio Code and Eraser?
Visual Studio Code: Free open-source editor with built-in AI agents for coding. Eraser: AI diagrams and architecture maps for engineering teams. Both are coding tools.
Is Visual Studio Code or Eraser cheaper?
Visual Studio Code is completely free, while Eraser is freemium.
Do Visual Studio Code and Eraser have free plans?
Visual Studio Code: Yes, fully free. Eraser: Yes.
Who makes Visual Studio Code?
Visual Studio Code is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Who makes Eraser?
Eraser is made by Eraser Labs, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Visual Studio Code or Eraser?
Choose Visual Studio Code if you value free and open source and huge extension ecosystem. Choose Eraser if you value diagrams directly from code and iac and unlimited free guests on all plans.