Item: WebStorm
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with WebStorm

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use WebStorm to develop AngularJS and Angular applications. It is not a department-wide standard, but I made the case to purchase my own license based on my experience with other JetBrains products, and it's a key part of my development process.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Built in support for multiple technologies.
Excellent debugger.
Lots of plugins.
Speed and responsiveness.

Cons

Every now and then the indexer takes over and slows things down.

Most Important Features

Ease of use for new developers
Refactoring capabilities
Syntax checking
Easy code navigation and shortcuts

Return on Investment

In-place syntax errors and corrections have helped me avoid many subtle bugs.
Easy code style fixes help reduce failed builds from linter.

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Visual Studio Code

I like WebStorm better because I don't have to spend time hunting down "useful plugins" to add to VS Code. But I'm biased because I have a lot more experience with WebStorm.

Key Insights

Do you think WebStorm delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with WebStorm's feature set?

Yes

Did WebStorm live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of WebStorm go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy WebStorm again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Visual Studio IDE, Sublime Text, Notepad++

Likelihood to Recommend

When using TypeScript, or any of the major JavaScript frameworks, especially with large code bases. The code navigation works really well.

Using WebStorm

Users and Roles

2 - Front-end software development.

Support Headcount Required

N/A

Business Processes Supported

AngularJS Development
Angular Development
JavaScript Development

Innovative Uses

The extension-typed scratch files come in handy often, they are better than notepad.

Future Planned Uses

If we switch to a different JavaScript framework

Likelihood to Renew

It's an irreplaceable part of my toolkit and isn't that expensive per year.

Evaluating WebStorm and Competitors

Products Replaced

Key Differentiators

Price
Product Features
Product Usability
Product Reputation
Prior Experience with the Product

Prior experience with similar JetBrains products (PHPStorm, PyCharm). I figured I would like WebStorm just as much (and I did!).

Evaluation Lessons Learned

I could have given a bigger effort on evaluating free options (such as Visual Studio Code), but I don't have all the time in the world for these decisions.

WebStorm Implementation

Implementation Rating

Highly recommend the JetBrains Toolbox, it remembers your recent projects and launches from the task bar.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

Change Management Lessons

Change management was minimal - It is a simple installer on a desktop. The JetBrains Toolbox is very handy too.

Implementation Issues

None

WebStorm Support

Support Rating

They update about monthly with patches and add new features quarterly. They are regularly working to improve performance.

WebStorm Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response	None

Using WebStorm

Usability

It's easy to teach new users the extreme basics to get them working, then let them figure out little tips, tricks, shortcuts, refactorings, and other features on their own.

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None