Our verdict: Rider gives C# developers ReSharper-level code analysis in a standalone IDE that is faster to start than Visual Studio for many projects. Hobby, learning and open-source use is free. Paid work needs a subscription, which is more expensive than most single JetBrains IDEs.
About Rider
Rider is JetBrains' IDE for .NET: C#, F# and VB.NET, ASP.NET Core, desktop apps and game development with Unity, Unreal Engine and Godot. It combines the IntelliJ platform with ReSharper's code analysis. The same full IDE is used for free and paid licenses.
On first launch you pick a 30-day commercial trial or the non-commercial license. The free license needs a JetBrains Account, is for individuals only, renews yearly while you use it and sends anonymous usage statistics that cannot be disabled. For commercial work JetBrains lists the individual subscription at $169 for the first year, falling to $101 from the third year.
What it does well
- C# code analysis. ReSharper inspections, quick fixes and refactorings across whole solutions.
- Debugger. Debugs .NET apps with breakpoints, watches and expression evaluation.
- Game development. Dedicated support for Unity, Unreal Engine and Godot projects.
- Unit testing. Runs NUnit, xUnit and MSTest tests from the editor.
- Web and databases. ASP.NET Core support plus JavaScript, TypeScript and SQL editing.
Who it is for
Good fit
C# and .NET developers, Unity and Unreal hobbyists and students who want one IDE across operating systems.
Look elsewhere
Professional .NET developers unwilling to pay, and anyone who needs Visual Studio-only designers.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Full IDE free for hobby and learning projects
- ReSharper-grade C# analysis built in
- Good Unity and Unreal Engine integration
- Works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux
Cons
- Commercial use requires a paid subscription
- Free license requires a JetBrains Account and non-optional telemetry
- Large solutions need plenty of RAM
How to install Rider
Download the Windows installer from jetbrains.com or use the JetBrains Toolbox App. Install the .NET SDK you need separately. On first launch choose Non-commercial use and sign in with a JetBrains Account, or start the 30-day trial; switch later under Help | Manage Licenses.
Questions about Rider
Is Rider free?
Yes, for non-commercial use by individuals, such as learning, hobby game development and open source without commercial benefit. Commercial use needs a subscription after the 30-day trial; JetBrains lists $169 for the first year for individuals.
Can I make a game in Rider for free?
Hobby projects qualify. If you plan to sell the game or earn commercial benefits from it, JetBrains says you should use a commercial license.
Does Rider replace Visual Studio?
For most C# and ASP.NET Core work, yes. Some Windows-specific designers and workloads are only in Visual Studio.
