Last Updated on August 7, 2025 by Arnav Sharma
Microsoft Azure DevOps and Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS) are related but distinct products, with Azure DevOps being the evolution and rebranding of VSTS. Here’s a comparison to help understand the differences and similarities:
Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS)
Overview:
- VSTS was an earlier version of what is now Azure DevOps.
- It provided a set of tools for software development and collaboration hosted in the cloud.
- VSTS integrated with other Microsoft tools like Visual Studio and Team Foundation Server (TFS).
Key Features:
- Code Repositories: Git repositories for source control.
- Build and Release: Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
- Work Item Tracking: Tools for tracking tasks, bugs, user stories, etc.
- Testing: Manual and automated testing tools.
- Package Management: Hosting and sharing packages with team members.
Azure DevOps
Overview:
- Azure DevOps is the rebranded and evolved version of VSTS.
- It offers more modular and flexible services, which can be used together or separately.
- Azure DevOps is designed to work well with any technology stack and platform, not just Microsoft tools.
Key Services:
- Azure Repos: Provides Git repositories or Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC) for source control.
- Azure Pipelines: CI/CD service that works with any language, platform, and cloud. Supports containers, Kubernetes, and more.
- Azure Boards: Agile planning tools for managing work items, sprints, and backlogs.
- Azure Test Plans: Comprehensive testing solution including manual and exploratory testing.
- Azure Artifacts: Integrated package management with support for Maven, npm, Python, and NuGet package feeds.
- Azure DevOps Server: An on-premises version of Azure DevOps, which is the evolution of TFS.
- Modularity: Each service can be used independently, giving teams flexibility.
- Integration: Strong integration with other Azure services and third-party tools.
- Scalability: Enhanced performance and scalability for large enterprises.
- Platform-Agnostic: Works well with various platforms and tools, not just Microsoft-centric environments.
- Enhanced Security: Improved security features and compliance with industry standards.
Migration from VSTS to Azure DevOps:
- The transition from VSTS to Azure DevOps is seamless for users as Microsoft provided migration paths and support.
- Existing VSTS users were automatically upgraded to Azure DevOps with their data and projects intact.
VSTS vs. Azure DevOps Terminology
The transition from Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS) to Azure DevOps involved not only an evolution in features and capabilities but also changes in terminology to reflect the more modular and integrated nature of the new platform. Here’s a comparison of the terminology used in both:
| VSTS Term | Azure DevOps Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Code | Azure Repos | Source control repositories supporting Git and TFVC. |
| Build and Release | Azure Pipelines | Continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) pipelines for building, testing, and deploying. |
| Work | Azure Boards | Tools for planning, tracking, and discussing work across teams (work items, backlogs, sprints, etc.). |
| Test | Azure Test Plans | Manual and exploratory testing tools. |
| Package | Azure Artifacts | Package management for hosting and sharing packages with team members, supporting Maven, npm, NuGet, etc. |
| Visual Studio Team Services | Azure DevOps Services | The overall cloud-based suite of development tools and services. |
| Team Foundation Server (TFS) | Azure DevOps Server | The on-premises version of Azure DevOps Services, previously known as TFS. |
Detailed Comparison:
- Code / Azure Repos:
- VSTS: Known simply as “Code,” it provided Git repositories for source control.
- Azure DevOps: Renamed to “Azure Repos,” it continues to offer Git and TFVC repositories with enhanced features for collaboration and code review.
- Build and Release / Azure Pipelines:
- VSTS: The combined “Build and Release” service managed CI/CD processes.
- Azure DevOps: Split into “Azure Pipelines,” this service now offers more robust and scalable CI/CD capabilities, supporting a variety of platforms and languages, and integrating seamlessly with Kubernetes, Docker, and other modern deployment environments.
- Work / Azure Boards:
- VSTS: “Work” was the area for tracking work items, bugs, user stories, and planning sprints.
- Azure DevOps: Rebranded as “Azure Boards,” it provides agile tools to support Kanban and Scrum methodologies, along with customizable dashboards and reporting tools.
- Test / Azure Test Plans:
- VSTS: Known as “Test,” it included tools for manual and automated testing.
- Azure DevOps: Renamed to “Azure Test Plans,” it continues to offer comprehensive testing solutions, including manual, exploratory, and continuous testing capabilities.
- Package / Azure Artifacts:
- VSTS: “Package” allowed for package management and sharing.
- Azure DevOps: Now called “Azure Artifacts,” this service supports a wider range of package types and provides better integration with CI/CD pipelines.
- Visual Studio Team Services / Azure DevOps Services:
- VSTS: The overall suite of cloud-based development tools.
- Azure DevOps: Rebranded as “Azure DevOps Services,” it represents the next generation of VSTS, with modular services that can be used independently or together.
- Team Foundation Server (TFS) / Azure DevOps Server:
- TFS: The on-premises version of VSTS.
- Azure DevOps Server: The rebranded and updated on-premises version, offering all the capabilities of Azure DevOps Services for customers who prefer or require an on-premises solution.