# How to Sell VS Code Extensions Outside the Marketplace

DevFeed: [How to Sell VS Code Extensions Outside the Marketplace](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/how-to-sell-vs-code-extensions-outside-the-marketplace-10372.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://dodopayments.com/blogs/sell-vscode-extensions/>)

Author: Ayush Agarwal

Published: 2026-03-27T00:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Dodo Payments Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/dodo-payments-blog.md>)

Topics: [VS Code Extension](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/vscode-extension.md>), [vs-code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/vs-code.md>), [Microsoft](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/microsoft.md>)

Tags: [developer](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/developer.md>), [extensions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/extensions.md>), [guide](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/guide.md>), [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>), [license-keys](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/license-keys.md>), [payments](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/payments.md>), [revenue](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/revenue.md>), [vs-code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/vs-code.md>)

## AI overview

A guide to monetizing VS Code extensions outside the marketplace by distributing free versions while locking premium features behind license keys. It explains how Dodo Payments can handle sales, license generation, and activation validation.

## Source excerpt

Guide to monetizing VS Code extensions with license keys. Sell premium features, deliver licenses automatically, and validate activations using Dodo Payments.