Getting Free Visual Studio – The Complete Guide

Visual Studio is a powerful IDE used by developers worldwide to create software applications. It’s an essential tool for developers, providing a range of tools for coding, debugging, and testing. Although not free, there are several ways to obtain Visual Studio without paying for a license. Here is a complete guide to getting free Visual Studio.

1. Visual Studio Community Edition

Visual Studio Community Edition is a free version of Visual Studio suitable for individual developers or small teams. It provides all the basic features of Visual Studio, including code editing, debugging, and testing tools. Additionally, it supports a wide range of programming languages, including C#, C++, F#, and Visual Basic. You can download Visual Studio Community Edition from Microsoft’s website.

2. Visual Studio Dev Essentials

Visual Studio Dev Essentials is a free program by Microsoft that provides developers with a range of tools and services to aid in development. It includes access to Visual Studio Community Edition, as well as free Azure credits, training, and support. By signing up for Visual Studio Dev Essentials, you can claim a free Visual Studio Community Edition license, which you can use to develop your applications.

3. Student Licenses

If you are a student or faculty member, you may be eligible for a free license of Visual Studio. Microsoft offers free licenses to students through its DreamSpark program. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in an accredited institution and have a valid student email address. Once registered, you can download a range of developer tools, including Visual Studio.

4. Open Source Projects

If you are working on an open source project, you can apply for a free license of Visual Studio Enterprise. Microsoft offers free licenses to developers working on open source projects that meet certain criteria. To apply, you must submit an application that outlines the project’s details, including its purpose, scope, and development plan. Once approved, you will receive a license of Visual Studio Enterprise, which you can use to develop your project.

5. Trials

If none of the above options work for you, you can download a free trial of Visual Studio. Microsoft offers a 30-day trial of Visual Studio Enterprise, which includes all the features of the full version. Additionally, you can download a free trial of Visual Studio Professional, which offers most of the features of Visual Studio Enterprise.

In conclusion, whether you are a student, working on an open-source project, or just starting as a developer, there are several ways to obtain Visual Studio for free. With these options in mind, you can use Visual Studio to create your next great software application.