When comparing Code::Blocks vs Microsoft's Visual Studio, the Slant community recommends Code::Blocks for most people. In the question“What are the best IDEs for C on Windows?” Code::Blocks is ranked 4th while Microsoft's Visual Studio is ranked 9th.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Free/Libre/Open Source
Pro Cross platform
Code::Blocks is available for both Windows and Linux, allowing you to use the same IDE across both OSes if you use different machines.
Pro Easy to use
Easy to pick up, for example much easier to include libraries.
Pro Debugger multi-threading support
The debugger supports multi-threaded processes for faster debugging.
Pro Lets you choose the compiler
Code:Blocks lets the developer choose which compiler to use, giving you a higher level of control for on your development workflow.
Pro Javascript Intellisense support
Javascript Intellisense allows Visual Studio to provide you with useful hints and auto-completion features while you code.
Pro Clean UI
Visual Studio has a clean, intuitive user interface.

Pro Cloud storage
Your Visual Studio online account gives you a place to store your code, backlog, and other project data with no servers to deploy, configure, or manage.
Pro Product backlog
In agile development teams, one really needs features such as product backlogs where you can assign features to teammates and track their progress on them. VS provides a web-based interface for you to track your team's complete progress on the project.
Pro Very good XML/XSD support
Syntax highlighting, Intellisense, and jump to declaration all work in XML documents.
Cons
Con It's hard to make the code readable
Due to the problems with indention, it's hard to make the code look nice.
Con Poor code completion
The code completion for Code::Blocks is rather poor compared to other IDEs
Con Tons of feature bloat
If you're doing simple web frontend dev, then VS is far too arcane and feature bloated for most of your work.
Con Not cross-platform
Visual Studio is only available on Windows, which causes platform lock-in.
Con Slow
Visual Studio can be quite laggy.
Con Takes up a lot of space
Visual Studio can use about 6 GBs which a lot of space to be taken from your computer.
Con Terribly slow development
Keep dreaming about features already provided by alternative products.
Con Non-native window frame
The IDE main window lacks a standard window frame (titlebar/borders). A custom solution is used where the custom titlebar contains numerous application-specific controls. This results in inconsistent UX and can also be problematic when you're using shell replacements or other various window-management software (such as bbLean).
Con Terrible UI
Con Extensions
