Open VSX Outpaces the VS Code Marketplace for Extension Distribution

While the VS Code Marketplace dominates by name recognition, Open VSX's smaller but highly engaged audience delivers significantly better download rates for extensions. This shift reflects the growing appeal of alternative editors like Cursor, VSCodium, and Windsurf, revealing that the extension distribution landscape is far more fragmented than developers typically assume. For extension creators, understanding where your actual users are matters far more than following conventional wisdom.