
Visual Studio Professional monthly is a cost-effective solution that gives you the tools and services you need to get started quickly, on PC and Mac. Share code, track work, and ship software both on premises and using the cloud. Without Xamarin though, Microsoft is offering C++ tools for cross-platform development, but scroll down to the bottom of the page and you might be surprised or confused at the download link description. Turn your ideas into apps for iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, and Windows. Free: Visual Studio Community is completely free to download and use. VS code allows you to run commands, build, test and debug your code without leaving the editor. So the bigger question might be whether Visual Studio 2015 "Community" will be free. Pros: VS code is really fast and efficient to use.It offers large variety of extensions which enhances productivity. Let's say Xamarin Starter edition is free, but Visual Studio 2015 "Community" has an expiration date. (Check the Help menu, go to "About.", and click on your license status to check.) Still, I don't know about you, but the Visual Studio 2015 RC "Community" edition I installed expires in less than 180 days.

I do not know the limitations, or any expiration date, of this Starter Xamarin Account. In 2015 RC go to Tools, Xamarin Account to see your Xamarin license. If you go to the Visual Studio 2015 RC cross-platform and mobile apps page, then read and scroll to the bottom, it appears that Microsoft is including Xamarin, and upon installing it you do have, as James said, the Xamarin Starter edition.
