For years, VS Code has been the undisputed king of code editors. It’s lightweight (until you install 20 extensions and wonder why your laptop sounds like a jet engine), it’s packed with features, and Microsoft keeps throwing updates at it like an overzealous software engineer who just discovered continuous deployment.

But now, there’s a new kid on the block: Zed. It claims to be fast, collaborative, AI-powered, and built by the original creators of Atom. Bold claims, right? So naturally, I had to try it out and see if it’s actually worth switching from my well-worn VS Code setup.

The First Impression: Speed, Simplicity and UI

The first thing you notice when you fire up Zed is that it’s clean. Not just clean as in “nice UI,” but clean as in “did I just open an empty project?” There’s no sidebar clutter, no extra pop-ups, no “Welcome to Zed, here’s an overwhelming amount of onboarding tips.” Just you and the code.

Zed’s biggest flex is speed. And yeah, it’s fast. Blazing fast. Like, “Why does VS Code suddenly feel sluggish?” fast. It’s built in Rust, so that explains a lot. You open files instantly, the UI stays buttery smooth, and it feels like you’re coding on a well-oiled machine rather than something that occasionally chugs when you open a large file.

VS Code, on the other hand, is no slouch. But let’s be honest—after installing a handful of extensions (which you will need), the performance starts to dip. Zed seems to dodge this issue by keeping things minimal while still giving you the core features you need.

AI Features: Is It Smarter Than VS Code?

We’re in an era where every app slaps “AI-powered” on its feature list like it’s a cheat code for relevance. Zed does the same. It integrates AI into its editing experience, promising to be your intelligent coding assistant.

So, how does it compare to GitHub Copilot, which is practically baked into VS Code?

Zed’s AI is good—really good. It suggests code, refactors functions, and even explains tricky concepts in a way that doesn’t make you feel like an idiot. But—and this is a big but—GitHub Copilot is already deeply integrated into VS Code, and if you’re used to it, Zed’s AI doesn’t feel like a massive step up. It’s more of an alternative than a revolution.

If you’re someone who leans heavily on AI-assisted coding, you might not see a reason to switch. But if you’re looking for something that feels seamless without the added bloat of a dozen AI extensions, Zed’s built-in approach feels more natural.

Collaboration

This is where Zed really stands out. It treats real-time collaboration like a core feature, not an afterthought. You can instantly jump into a session with another developer, and it feels like you’re sharing a Google Doc, but for code. No extra setup, no copy-pasting links, no “Did you get the invite?” nonsense.

VS Code has Live Share, which works, but it’s not great. It often feels like an extension duct-taped onto the editor rather than something that was meant to be there from the start. Plus, Live Share can be clunky, and sometimes it just refuses to work unless you sacrifice a coffee to the software gods.

For teams that rely on pair programming or need seamless collaboration, Zed is hands-down the better option.

Extensions & Customization

Now, here’s where VS Code pulls ahead. If you’re the kind of developer who loves tweaking every little thing, installing custom themes, or setting up workflow automation with extensions, Zed might disappoint you.

VS Code has an insane ecosystem. There’s an extension for everything. Need a Vim mode? Done. Want a Dracula theme? Easy. Want an extension that reminds you to drink water? Weird flex, but okay.

Zed, by comparison, is still a baby. The extension ecosystem is practically non-existent right now. If you rely on specific tools in VS Code, you’ll probably feel their absence in Zed. It’s a streamlined experience, but at the cost of flexibility.

Who Should Use Zed?

So, should you ditch VS Code and embrace Zed? It depends.

✅ You should consider Zed if:

• You care about speed and efficiency above all else.
• You do a lot of pair programming and need frictionless collaboration.
• You prefer a distraction-free, minimalist coding environment.

❌ You should stick with VS Code if:

• You rely on specific extensions that Zed doesn’t support.
• You already have a well-tuned VS Code setup that works perfectly for you.
• You need deep AI integration (Copilot, advanced autocomplete, etc.).

Is Zed a VS Code Killer?

Not yet. But it’s promising.

Zed brings a fresh approach to coding with speed, simplicity, and collaboration at its core. It feels amazing to use. But VS Code is a juggernaut with years of development, an enormous extension ecosystem, and deep integration with tools that developers rely on daily.

If you’re someone who enjoys testing new tools and optimizing your workflow, Zed is worth a shot. But if you’re deep into the VS Code ecosystem, switching might feel like leaving a well-stocked kitchen for a minimalist studio apartment—nice and clean, but missing some essentials.

For now, Zed is an excellent alternative, but not a full replacement. Give it time, though. This editor has the potential to shake things up.