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If ReSharper is slowing Visual Studio down or its license no longer seems worth the cost, start with the kind of switch you want. Rider is the closest .NET-oriented option here; Visual Studio keeps you in Microsoft's IDE, while VS Code and lighter editors mean accepting more setup or fewer integrated tools. The listed starting prices range from free to $45, and several alternatives have a free plan. Check the fit before you move: the Reddit reports are mixed, not a guarantee of better performance.
01Why people leave ReSharper
Visual Studio feels slower
In one r/csharp thread, users said ReSharper slowed Visual Studio, especially on large projects. One commenter also reported test discovery problems after moving a project to multi-target .NET Core.
The price is hard to justify
ReSharper starts at $12.42 and has a free plan listed. In one Reddit discussion, a commenter questioned paying for features they felt Visual Studio already offered.
You rely on its extras
The same thread praised ReSharper's test runner, refactoring and IntelliSense, while commenters said Visual Studio felt lacking without it. Switching may mean giving up familiar tools or changing IDEs.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Non-commercial .NET
JetBrains RiderJetBrains RiderRider is the most direct alternative here if you want to leave the Visual Studio-plus-ReSharper setup without leaving .NET. It is listed as a fit for non-commercial .NET developers and people who value code navigation, with a free plan and a starting price of $14.08. One Reddit commenter recommended trying Rider after switching from Visual Studio, but warned that setup can take time on large projects.
Trade-off: Large projects may take time to set up, according to one Reddit commenter.
7.2/10from
$14.08/mofree plan - Windows .NET developers
Visual StudioVisual StudioIf the main problem is ReSharper's cost or performance, try Visual Studio without the extension before changing IDEs. It is listed as a fit for Windows-based .NET and C++ developers and teams that prioritize debugging. The listed starting price is $45, with a free plan. Reddit commenters disagree on whether Visual Studio has enough built-in features, so check the specific refactoring and test tools your workflow depends on.
Trade-off: One Reddit thread said Visual Studio lacks some of ReSharper's refactoring and test tools.
7.8/10from
$45/mofree plan - Free, flexible editing
Visual Studio CodeVisual Studio CodeVS Code is a $0 option for developers willing to assemble their workflow with extensions. It is listed as a capable editor for people comfortable adding extensions and teams using multiple operating systems. That makes it a lower-cost direction if you do not need ReSharper's integrated workflow as-is. The tradeoff matters: the listing flags extra setup, and it does not position VS Code as a full ReSharper replacement.
Trade-off: More flexibility means extra setup; the listing does not promise integrated ReSharper features.
8.1/10from
Freefree plan - Focused editing
Sublime TextSublime TextSublime Text suits developers who want a focused, keyboard-driven editor rather than another integrated IDE. Its listed starting price is $5.42, and it is positioned for people seeking a one-time license. Consider it if you are willing to trade ReSharper's bundled refactoring and test tools for a simpler editor. The pricing page does not describe it as a free IDE replacement.
Trade-off: It is not listed as a free IDE replacement.
7.8/10from
$5.42/mo - Free editor option
ZedZedZed is worth considering if you want a free editor and can live with a leaner extension ecosystem. The listing also names Vim users and teams needing centralized AI controls as fits. It has a free plan and a listed starting price of $10. For a ReSharper switch, the key question is whether its smaller extension ecosystem covers the tools you currently depend on.
Trade-off: The listing flags a leaner extension ecosystem.
7.5/10from
$10/mofree plan - Java and Kotlin
IntelliJ IDEAIntelliJ IDEAIntelliJ IDEA is a plausible option only if leaving ReSharper also means moving away from C#. It is listed for Java and Kotlin developers, built-in debugging and commercial users seeking a free tier. The pricing page gives it a free plan and a $16.58 starting price. It is not presented as a C# replacement, so do not choose it solely to solve ReSharper's reported lag.
Trade-off: The listing focuses on Java and Kotlin, not C#.
7.9/10from
$16.58/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 ReSharper ReSharper (current) | 5.6 | $12.42/mo | Yes | Developers who value refactoring tools |
| JetBrains Rider JetBrains Rider | 7.2 | $14.08/mo | Yes | Non-commercial .NET developers |
| Visual Studio Visual Studio | 7.8 | $45/mo | Yes | Windows-based .NET and C++ developers |
| Visual Studio Code Visual Studio Code | 8.1 | Free | Yes | Developers who want a free editor |
| Sublime Text Sublime Text | 7.8 | $5.42/mo | No | Developers who prefer a focused editor |
| Zed Zed | 7.5 | $10/mo | Yes | Developers wanting a free editor |
| IntelliJ IDEA IntelliJ IDEA | 7.9 | $16.58/mo | Yes | Java and Kotlin developers |
Questions people ask
Which ReSharper alternative is closest for .NET?
Rider is the clearest .NET-oriented choice in this list: it is listed for non-commercial .NET developers and users who value code navigation. One Reddit commenter who switched from Visual Studio recommended it, but said large projects can take time to set up. Visual Studio is another option if you want to stay with Microsoft's IDE.
Is Visual Studio enough without ReSharper?
It depends on which ReSharper features you use. In one r/csharp thread, a commenter said Visual Studio still lacked refactoring and unit-test tools they valued, while another argued that some ReSharper features overlap with Visual Studio. Check your own required tools before removing the extension.
Which alternatives have a free plan?
The pricing page mark Visual Studio, VS Code, Rider, Zed and IntelliJ IDEA as having a free plan. They also list starting prices: $45, n/a, $14.08, $10 and $16.58, respectively. Those listings do not give the free-plan eligibility details, so confirm them before budgeting a team migration.