JetBrains Rider Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for JetBrains Rider. Based on analysis of 12 signals.
Issues by Category
Debugger lacking compared to Visual Studio
The debugger tools are still lacking compared to Visual Studio, especially when considering plugins such as OzCode. Advanced debugging scenarios may require falling back to Visual Studio.
Cannot open multiple solutions
Rider does not support opening multiple solutions with sub-projects simultaneously. This limitation frustrates developers working across multiple related codebases.
Custom keybinds harder to configure
It is much harder to assign custom keybinds compared to other IDEs. Developers coming from Visual Studio or VS Code find the keyboard shortcut configuration less intuitive.
Search doesn't auto-clear previous terms
The file search feature does not auto-clear previous search terms, requiring manual clearing. This small annoyance adds friction to the search workflow.
Excessive memory consumption
Users report Rider using over 6GB of memory on larger projects. The IDE consumes around 4.5GB even with no project open. Some users have to quit Rider multiple times daily to prevent it from using all system memory and freezing everything.
UI freezing and hangs
The UI constantly freezes every few seconds during typing or clicking. Everything feels sluggish. Large solutions hang at 'syncing' or 'catching up' with insufficient memory errors. Users report needing to hard reboot if not caught in time.
Slow startup and indexing
Rider is slower to start up than Visual Studio Code or even Visual Studio. It takes a while to index big projects before full functionality is available. This affects developers who frequently open/close projects.
Version 2025.3 major performance regression
After updating to version 2025.3, the IDE became barely usable, freezing machines and running at full load. Solutions with many projects hang during syncing. While patched in 2025.3.0.4, it shows quality risks of major updates.
IntelliSense randomly stops working
Rarely Rider loses IntelliSense and the only way to get it back is by restarting the IDE. This disrupts workflow and requires closing and reopening the IDE.
Deployment and code generation less mature
Some special features like general deployment or code generation for services are not as mature as in Visual Studio yet. Enterprise-specific workflows may require Visual Studio.
Fewer plugins than Visual Studio
As far as plugins are concerned, Visual Studio is the clear winner with a wider variety primarily because it has been in use for over two decades. Some specialized tools only exist for Visual Studio.
Expensive subscription compared to Visual Studio
Rider costs $169/year for individuals vs Visual Studio Community being free. While Rider recently added a free non-commercial tier, professional developers still face significant costs that add up annually compared to free alternatives.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing JetBrains Rider.
Memory issues force constant restarts
Users have to quit Rider multiple times daily to prevent it from using all system memory and freezing everything. If not caught in time, hard reboots are required. This destroys productivity.
Version update caused major regression
Developers who updated to 2025.3 experienced barely usable IDE with constant freezing. While eventually patched, it demonstrates risks of major version updates disrupting workflow.
Visual Studio would have sufficed for Windows work
Windows-only developers realize Visual Studio Community is free with more plugins and enterprise features. The $169/year Rider subscription feels unnecessary when not using cross-platform features.
Debugger limitations discovered for complex scenarios
Developers hitting advanced debugging needs discover Rider lacks equivalents to Visual Studio plugins like OzCode. Must fall back to Visual Studio for complex debugging.
Team standardized on Visual Studio anyway
Individual Rider users find their team standardizing on Visual Studio for consistency and enterprise integration. The Rider subscription becomes redundant.
Free non-commercial tier launched after purchase
Developers who purchased Rider for hobby projects discover JetBrains later released a free non-commercial tier. The subscription purchase feels unnecessary for non-work projects.
When JetBrains Rider Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where JetBrains Rider fails or underperforms.
System has less than 16GB RAM
Rider uses 4.5GB+ RAM even with no project open and can exceed 6GB on larger solutions. On systems with 8GB, constant memory pressure causes freezing and requires frequent restarts.
Working on very large .NET solutions
Large solutions with many projects hang at 'syncing' or 'catching up' stages. Insufficient memory errors appear. Indexing takes excessive time before features work properly.
Need advanced debugging like OzCode
Rider's debugger is good but lacks equivalents to Visual Studio plugins like OzCode. Teams with advanced debugging requirements must maintain Visual Studio alongside or instead of Rider.
Enterprise deployment workflows required
Some enterprise features like deployment automation and code generation for services are less mature than Visual Studio. Organizations with specific deployment needs may require Visual Studio.
Team needs Windows-only enterprise tooling
Visual Studio has deeper enterprise integration and more plugins developed over two decades. Teams entrenched in Microsoft ecosystem may find Rider's benefits insufficient to justify switching.
Major version update causes regression
Version updates like 2025.3 can cause severe performance regressions making the IDE barely usable until patched. Early adopters risk workflow disruption after updates.