Open source AI pair programming in your terminal, with git built in
Aider is an open source command-line tool for pair programming with large language models. It maps your repository so the model understands the codebase, edits multiple files in place and commits each change to git with a descriptive message, which makes edits easy to review or undo. It works with models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek or local ones, accepts voice input and can lint and test after edits.
- features
- 4
- alternatives
- 8
- platforms
- 3
- Updated
- Oct 12, 2026
Features
Our take
Pros
- Free and open source, and works with any model, including local ones
- Commits each change to git for easy review and rollback
- Repository map gives the model context across the codebase
Cons
- Terminal-only workflow is less approachable than IDE tools
- Model API costs are on you unless you run local models
- Results depend heavily on the model you choose
Editorial assessment by the Alternatives.tools team, based on what the product is known for. Not a user review.
Best Aider alternatives
See all 8 alternatives
Claude CodePaidAnthropic's agentic coding tool for the terminal, the IDE and the web
ClineFreemiumOpen sourceOpen source autonomous coding agent that runs inside your IDE
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OpenAI CodexPaidOpenAI's coding agent for the cloud, the terminal and your IDE
ContinueFreemiumOpen sourceOpen source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains, with any model
36.2Kstars
CursorFreemiumAI code editor built on VS Code, with agents and multi-line autocomplete
GitHub CopilotFreemiumAI pair programmer in your editor, your terminal and on GitHub
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