Top 10 Alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio: Comparison of Leading IT Management Software Solutions

Businesses can utilize IT management software to enhance the quality of their services, secure their data, enforce best practices, optimize employee performance, and effectively use technology resources. With IT management software, companies can go beyond merely installing and maintaining a software platform.  They can build and customize their own apps and tweak the software for their particular needs. To make the best use of this type of software, you can track the latest IT management trends and apply them smartly to your business.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the real cost of poor IT management decision-making. In particular, it pointed to tech infrastructure as the culprit that sent organizations scrambling to get crucial programs running on the cloud or shut down for the rest of the time.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, employee resilience provided organizations the impetus to deal with the pandemic, best exemplified by those who persisted with the massive changes that were set in place to enable work to be delivered from homes.

If your own organization is still struggling with IT management issues late at this point, you may refer to how other organizations do it.

Note, however, that the right tool requires IT management best practices to make it work better.

What is Microsoft Visual Studio?

Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) produced by Microsoft. The platform was initially created to build computer programs for MS Windows. Today, it is used to create web applications, cloud-based services, and apps for mobile and desktop platforms. Larger teams can utilize Visual Studio’s application control, agile planning, and version control features. In addition, coders can make use of their own version of the software to create codes for free on leading operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Benefits of Microsoft Visual Studio

1. It comes with a code editor that supports code refactoring and IntelliSense (the code completion component).
2. It has in-built tools such as a database schema designer, class designer, web designer, and forms designer for creating GUI applications.
3. Companies can use this platform to develop attractive mobile and web applications for iOS and Android.
4. It supports programming languages such as C, C++ and C++/CLI (via Visual C++), F# (as of Visual Studio 2010), C# (via Visual C#), and VB.NET (via Visual Basic .NET).

If you are not satisfied and wish to look around for more options, we will not disappoint you. Read on to learn about the top 10 alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio. We give you good reasons why you should consider the alternative app instead of Visual Studio and vice versa so that you can make an informed choice.

Top 10 Alternatives to Microsoft Visual  Studio

1. Atera

Atera is a remote monitoring and management (RMM) software that combines various essential IT functions into one system. It’s designed to be a one-stop RMM tool for IT professionals, with features for patch management, help desk, scripting, and real-time notifications. Atera also offers the benefits of invoicing software to reduce the need to switch between various systems.

Moreover, with Atera, IT professionals can track IT assets, perform security checks, and manage patches from wherever they are. The platform can also automate workflows and services to help improve productivity and streamline IT functions.

Why use Atera instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. Atera lets you monitor an unlimited number of devices.
2. The platform allows you to schedule and automate IT processes like script running.
3. Additionally, the system comes with built-in CRM software features and billing and invoicing capabilities.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of Atera?

1. Microsoft Visual Studio supports an extensive selection of programming languages.
2. Visual Studio offers more powerful features for agile planning and version control.
3. Also, this system enables simplified test access.

If you’re looking for more features, check out our list of Atera alternatives.

2. ManageEngine Applications Manager

ManageEngine Applications Manager is designed to be a cost-effective application management software for enterprises. Through the platform, enterprises can easily and securely manage mission-critical applications, web servers, databases, and data centers. Aside from these features, the platform also enables virtualization and custom database query testing.

Applications Manager lets you track up to 50,000 servers or applications, providing you with a consolidated view of resources for easier management. This centralization of resources ensures that IT professionals can spot and resolve issues before business operations are affected.

ManageEngine Applications Manager

Try out ManageEngine Applications Manager with their free trial

Why use ManageEngine Applications Manager instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. Applications Manager lets you track up to 50,000 servers or applications.
2. The platform lets users discover applications with one click through Application Discovery and Dependency Mapping.
3. In addition, Applications Manager lets you track more than 100 KPIs.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of ManageEngine Applications Manager?

1. The software’s IntelliSense code suggestions help you code more quickly.
2. Visual Studio comes with built-in features for quickly identifying changes to code.
3. Plus, the software lets you pause code execution to inspect and fix bugs.

If you want to view similar platforms, take a look at our list of ManageEngine Applications Manager alternatives.

3. ManageEngine OpManager

ManageEngine OpManager is ideal for enterprise IT networks that work with multiple vendors. The software provides out-of-the-box features for firewall log analysis, change management, flow-based bandwidth analysis, and server monitoring. Live dashboards and graphs help you monitor the performance of network devices and measure key metrics, such as disk space, server availability, and memory utilization.

You can track the performance of ManageEngine OpManager through ManageEngine Applications Manager. Setting up OpManager is easy, too, as you have a variety of options to choose from, including the web port and server to use. Users also get a list of suggested tasks on startup to make configuration easier.

ManageEngine OpManager

Try out ManageEngine OpManager with their free trial

Why use ManageEngine OpManager instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. The platform suggests tasks during setup for easier configuration.
2. The system lets you choose from various installation options.
3. You can monitor network performance through live dashboards and graphs.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of ManageEngine OpManager?

1. Visual Studio comes with templates for common application types and local Azure emulators for easier setup.
2. The platform can be easily scaled up to meet increased demands.
3. The system’s built-in remote debugger makes it easier for developers to diagnose and debug apps in the production environment.

Check our list of ManageEngine OpManager alternatives if you’d like to view similar systems.

4. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is a low-coding, online app builder that lets businesses and IT professionals create custom web tools and applications. There’s no need to worry about steep learning curves with this software; all you have to do is upload your database into the system, and the software puts it into production even without human input. The platform ensures the highest levels of security for your data, too.

The software is deployed completely on the cloud, and all data and functions are accessible via mobile devices. This is an excellent feature for decentralized and remote teams.

Why use Zoho Creator instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. The software comes with an intuitive interface with drag-and-drop functions for creating web tools and applications.
2. Zoho Creator requires minimal human intervention to push applications to production.
3. The platform complies with the highest security standards to keep your data safe.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of Zoho Creator?

1. Visual Studio makes coding easier with customized keyboard shortcuts.
2. The platform comes with a powerful Search feature for autos, locals, and watch windows.
3. Visual Studio also lets you save window layouts to make coding faster.

If you want more choices for IT management software, check our list of Zoho Creator alternatives.

5. Microsoft System Center

Microsoft System Center is designed to be an all-in-one management solution for private and public servers deployed on the cloud. The software helps streamlines datacenter management, helping users deploy, configure, and monitor data centers while maintaining performance.

Centralizing vital server monitoring functions into one system also helps bring costs down and save IT resources. The platform comes with a built-in Data Protection Manager that allows data backup and recovery. Moreover, Microsoft System Center’s One-Click features ensure that users can be as productive as possible.

Why use Microsoft System Center instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. The software allows users to easily manage servers and virtual machines.
2. Microsoft System Center also has One-Click features for easier use.
3. A built-in Data Protection Manager allows you to create data backups and recover lost files.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of Microsoft System Center?

1. With Visual Studio, you can quickly see changes made to your code.
2. The software provides inline visualizations to help you identify errors in your code.
3. A Live unit Testing feature provides real-time feedback on lines of code that are affected by failing unit tests.

To view similar systems, check our list of Microsoft System Center alternatives.

6. Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is an integrated suite of managed services, templates, and tools that can enhance the productivity of IT developers and professionals. It is designed for the Microsoft platform and makes it simple for IT professionals to develop and manage web, mobile, enterprise, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Microsoft Azure stands out for its compatibility with the Windows and Linux platforms and offers a top-notch frontend management interface. Microsoft’s big investments in the MS Azure public cloud architecture have paid off, and the solution is now a worthy competitor to Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) market leaders Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services. Top features include media services, Hadoop, data analytics software features, cloud services, and mobile services.

Why use Microsoft Azure instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. You can start for free and scale effortlessly as you go.
2. You can easily deploy and run Windows Server and Linux virtual machines.
3. Accelerate your connected client app development.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of Microsoft Azure?

1. It supports CSS, JavaScript, HTML/XHMTL, and XML/XSLT.
2. You can easily customize its dashboard to your requirements.
3. You can effortlessly generate reports and also export them to Excel.

For more good choices, browse Microsoft Azure alternatives here.

7. Xamarin

Xamarin is a simplified and streamlined app development platform for Windows Mobile, iOS, and Android. It utilizes .NET and C# to deliver app solutions for all mobile operating platforms at once, and you don’t have to do this separately and from scratch. Developers and designers have taken to Xamarin because they love the benefit of not having to create apps for each platform separately. This enables them to focus on building their skills on sophisticated hobbyist projects. Xamarin benefits greatly from its mobile specialization that specifically targets mobile users and their requirements. Plus, it offers top-rate APIs that respond easily to all user requests and deliver an amazing experience. Finally, the tool is enabled for OSS development and offers all the enterprise capabilities needed by professional users.

Why use Xamarin instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. It uses C# language, considered to be the most suitable language for large applications.
2. It supports type checking, which enables developers to identify and correct errors before the end customer sees the application.
3. Its interface is user-friendly, and the app delivers a platform-native feeling.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of Xamarin?

1. It supports Python, Ruby, Java, and other popular languages.
2. It enables you to obtain software insights.
3. The vendor offers video tutorials for training as well as online support.

If you are not satisfied, browse other excellent Xamarin alternatives here.

8. Knack

Knack is a database builder that helps businesses make the most use out of their data. Aside from IT management functions, the platform also comes with project management software features to provide more value to organizations.

Building a database with Knack is an easy process, as the platform provides users with complete control over forms, searches, and calendars. You also get widgets for filtering information, and you can control user access through permissions. Moreover, you can customize your dashboard with CSS and jQuery.

Why use Knack instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. Knack makes it easy to build and manage databases through widgets.
2. The software allows you to customize your dashboard through CSS and jQuery.
3. The platform has a mobile-friendly app for accessing and modifying databases on the go.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of Knack?

1. The software lets you use the language and framework of your choice to write, execute, and debug unit tests.
2. Visual Studio lets you use a single window to run and debug tests and see test results.
3. The platform also lets you report on code coverage at the line level and block level.

Looking for similar software? We’ve compiled a list of Knack alternatives.

9. OutSystems

We have included OutSystems in this list of top 10 alternatives to Microsoft Visual Studio as it is a popular Rapid Application Development (RAD) solution that offers developers the features they need to easily create, deploy, and manage custom enterprise apps. It offers single-click deployment and full-stack visual development to enable you to quickly create and deploy enterprise applications. You can deploy the platform in the cloud or on-premise. Developers will appreciate how simple it is to deliver apps and to make changes after deployment. They can benefit from the solution’s deep integration with all existing platforms and be in full control of the whole lifecycle of large application portfolios. Finally, the tool offers integrated user feedback capture and allows you to manage the usage and performance of all applications.

Why use OutSystems instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. It enables IT developers to create, deploy, manage, and change web and mobile apps efficiently and quickly.
2. It provides permission management and full access control.
3. It offers real-time reporting of the usage and performance of all applications.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of OutSystems?

1. It offers scalable pricing, and you can upgrade or downgrade your package as per your needs.
2. It provides Git client support.
3. Hosting is included in the packages.

You can also consider these viable OutSystems alternatives here.

10. New Relic

New Relic is a software analytics platform that is designed to help businesses derive useful data for building modern software. The platform gathers and analyzes data from billions of metrics to help businesses develop more useful software. Every bit of data is laid out before you, so you don’t have any blind spots.

The software uses business intelligence software features to add context to data, helping you build unique applications that help with business operations. Your team’s developers can focus on writing new codes, and you get a mobile application monitoring tool to create high-performance mobile applications.

Why use New Relic instead of Microsoft Visual Studio?

1. New Relic offers limitless log management to help minimize operational costs and ease infrastructure maintenance.
2. The platform offers built-in export tools and integrations to help collect and visualize data.
3. The software provides a single view for all activities of your entities, with AWS Lambda-specific data, including throughput and error rate.

Why use Microsoft Visual Studio instead of New Relic?

1. Visual Studio provides flexible, centralized version control for easier collaboration.
2. The software lets you link bugs and tasks to code for a smoother workflow.
3. The platform’s collaboration software features include a Live Share function that allows you to connect multiple sessions so you can resolve issues faster.

If you want more choices, you can check these New Relic alternatives.

Choosing the best IT management software for your needs

You have plenty of choices when it comes to software that will help you build high-performance, secure applications for your business. For instance, many of the best IT management software today not only help you do that but also encourages easier collaboration and integrates features of other systems, such as billing and data visualization software.

Microsoft Visual Studio is one of the most popular of these systems today, but these ten alternatives also offer their own unique benefits to improve your business’ operations. It’s just a matter of picking the alternative that best meets your needs.

By Astrid Eira

Astrid Eira is a resident B2B expert of FinancesOnline, focusing on the SaaS niche. She specializes in accounting and human resource management software, writing honest and straightforward reviews of some of the most popular systems around. Being a small business owner herself, Astrid uses her expertise to help educate business owners and entrepreneurs on how new technology can help them run their operations. She's an avid fan of the outdoors, where you'll find her when she's not crunching numbers or testing out new software.