Discover the most popular VS Code themes of 2024 that combine aesthetic appeal with functionality to enhance your coding experience. Whether you’re coding late into the night or putting in long hours, these carefully selected themes will reduce eye strain and boost your productivity.

Visual Studio Code has become the editor of choice for millions of developers worldwide. The right theme doesn’t just make your editor look good—it can significantly impact your productivity, reduce eye strain during marathon coding sessions, and help you better visualize code structure.

Dark themes, in particular, have gained tremendous popularity among developers who work in low-light environments or during late hours. They provide better contrast and are generally easier on the eyes for extended periods.

Why it’s popular: With over 1.7 million installs as of October 2024, Tokyo Night has emerged as one of the most beloved themes this year. Inspired by the vibrant nighttime skyline of Tokyo, this theme brings deep blues and purples with well-balanced contrast.

Key Features:

• Low-contrast UI elements to help maintain focus
• Adjustable contrast settings to suit individual needs
• Semantic highlighting that dims variables inside functions
• Available across multiple platforms including iTerm and Vim

Best for: Developers who prefer dark mode and want a distraction-free workflow while enjoying a modern aesthetic.

Why it’s popular: Catppuccin has quickly risen to become a fan-favorite in the developer community, offering four creamy pastel color options that create a soothing coding environment.

Key Features:

• Available in three different dark modes and one light mode
• Soft, gentle background colors that reduce eye strain
• Perfect for long coding sessions
• Clean, modern aesthetic with excellent contrast

Best for: Developers who want a softer, pastel-based theme that’s still easy to read during extended coding sessions.

Why it’s popular: With over 5 million installs, Dracula Official remains one of the most downloaded VS Code themes available. This vampire-inspired theme features a dark purple background with contrasting yellow and bright green elements.

Key Features:

• Bold use of contrast and vibrant colors that make code elements stand out
• Designed to reduce eye strain in low-light conditions
• Can be used across multiple code editors for consistency
• Strong community support and regular updates

Best for: Developers who appreciate bold colors and high contrast for distinguishing between code elements.

Why it’s popular: Monokai Pro continues to be a staple choice for developers in 2024, designed as an undistracting and customizable theme with a dark grayish background and carefully selected colors.

Key Features:

• Pixel-perfect file icons
• Customizable UI highlights (default is orange and yellow)
• Colors specifically chosen to help maintain focus while coding
• Uniquely designed icon set

Best for: Developers seeking a professional, distraction-free environment with excellent icon support.

Why it’s popular: Night Owl remains a top choice for developers who work in low-light environments or during late hours. With its dark blue background and bright, contrasting colors, it’s specifically designed to be easy on the eyes.

Key Features:

• Dark, light, and italic versions with distinct color styling
• Complementary Light Owl version available
• Excellent color palette that’s easy on the eyes
• Strong syntax highlighting that improves code readability

Best for: Night owls who code during evening hours and need a theme that reduces eye strain.

Why it’s popular: One Dark Pro continues to be one of the most widely used VS Code themes in 2024. Based on Atom’s dark theme, it features a black background accented with appealing color schemes.

Key Features:

• Multiple versions available: italic, retro, and gnome
• Allows creation and merging of PRs and code reviews
• Clean and minimalistic user interface
• Ideal for marathon coding sessions

Best for: Developers transitioning from Atom or who prefer a clean, professional dark theme with excellent readability.

Why it’s popular: For developers looking for something with personality and flair, SynthWave ’84 offers a nostalgic tribute to 80s aesthetics. With its purple background and neon colors of pink, orange, blue, and teal, it’s designed to make coding more enjoyable.

Key Features:

• Bright, neon colors that make coding fun and visually interesting
• Resembles artwork for retro music albums
• Includes a unique glowing effect that can be activated
• Distinctive style that stands out from other themes

Best for: Developers who want a more vibrant, playful coding experience with a touch of nostalgia.

When selecting a VS Code theme, consider these factors:

1. Working hours: Dark themes like Tokyo Night and Night Owl are ideal for late-night coding sessions, while lighter options might be better for daytime work.
2. Color preferences: Some developers prefer bold, high-contrast themes like Dracula, while others might prefer the softer pastels of Catppuccin.
3. Code readability: Look for themes that make different code elements (functions, variables, comments) easily distinguishable.
4. Consistency: If you use multiple development environments, consider themes available across different platforms.

What is the most popular VS Code theme in 2024?

Based on install counts and user feedback, Dracula Official (5+ million installs), Tokyo Night (1.7+ million installs), and Night Owl are among the most popular VS Code themes in 2024. Catppuccin has also gained significant popularity in recent months.

Are dark themes better for coding?

Dark themes are generally preferred by many developers as they can reduce eye strain during long coding sessions, especially in low-light environments. However, this is subjective and depends on individual preferences and working conditions. Some developers prefer light themes during daytime coding.

How can I customize my VS Code theme further?

You can customize your VS Code theme by modifying the settings.json file. This allows you to adjust specific color elements, font styles, and other visual aspects. Many themes also come with built-in customization options, such as Monokai Pro’s color scheme variations or Tokyo Night’s contrast settings.

Do VS Code themes affect performance?

Most VS Code themes have minimal impact on editor performance. However, some themes with special effects (like SynthWave ’84’s glow effect) might slightly affect performance on older machines. Generally, choosing a theme is primarily an aesthetic and comfort decision rather than a performance consideration.

The best VS Code theme for 2024 ultimately depends on your personal preferences, working habits, and visual needs. Dracula Official and Tokyo Night stand out as the most popular dark themes this year, with their excellent contrast and eye-friendly colors.

For those seeking something different, options like Catppuccin offer a softer aesthetic, while SynthWave ’84 provides a unique, nostalgic experience. Whichever theme you choose, the right visual environment can significantly enhance your coding experience and productivity.

Remember that most themes are highly customizable, so don’t hesitate to tweak your chosen theme to perfectly match your preferences and coding style.

Last Updated: March 23, 2025