Free Aider alternatives

All Aider alternatives

1. 

   

   Cline

   70.2KstarsLike

   Cline is an open source AI coding agent that runs inside VS Code and compatible editors. It plans tasks, creates and edits files, runs terminal commands and can drive a browser to test web apps, asking for approval at each step unless you grant more autonomy. You bring your own API key for providers like Anthropic, OpenAI and Google or use local models, and MCP servers extend what it can do.

   9 Cline alternatives

   Pros

   • Open source agent that runs inside VS Code
   • Bring your own API key or use local models
   • Asks for approval at each step, keeping you in control

   Cons

   • API costs can climb quickly on long agent tasks
   • Step-by-step approvals can slow down routine work

   Cost / License

   FreemiumOpen source

   Categories

   AI Coding Assistants

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseIntegrationsTerminal integration

   Visit websiteMore about Cline
2. 

   

   Continue

   36.2KstarsLike

   Continue is an open source extension for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs that adds AI chat, autocomplete, inline edits and an agent mode. Its main appeal is flexibility: you choose the models, from commercial APIs to local models through Ollama, and add rules, prompts and context providers that a team can share. With local models, code never has to leave your machine.

   9 Continue alternatives

   Pros

   • Open source, with a free choice of models
   • Works with local models, so code can stay on your machine
   • Shared rules and prompts help teams standardize usage

   Cons

   • Setup takes more effort than turnkey assistants
   • Quality depends on the models you configure
   • Local models need capable hardware to run smoothly

   Cost / License

   FreemiumOpen source

   Categories

   AI Coding Assistants

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionOffline mode

   Visit websiteMore about Continue
3. 

   

   Cursor

   Like

   Cursor is a code editor from Anysphere, forked from VS Code, with AI integrated throughout the workflow. Its Tab model predicts multi-line edits, chat understands the whole codebase, and agent mode plans and applies changes across files while running terminal commands. Background agents can also work on tasks in the cloud. It stays compatible with VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings, and has a free Hobby plan.

   12 Cursor alternatives

   Pros

   • Tab completion predicts multi-line edits as you type
   • Agent mode applies changes across files and runs commands
   • Keeps VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings

   Cons

   • Request limits and usage-based billing can be confusing
   • As a VS Code fork, it can lag behind upstream updates
   • The free Hobby plan is quickly limiting for daily work

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   AI Coding AssistantsCode Editors & IDEs

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionExtensions marketplaceTerminal integration

   Visit websiteMore about Cursor
4. 

   

   GitHub Copilot

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   GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI coding assistant. It suggests code as you type and offers chat in editors such as VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, Xcode and Neovim, with a choice of models from several providers. Its coding agent can take a GitHub issue, work in the background and open a pull request, and Copilot also reviews pull requests and works in the terminal. A limited free plan is available.

   10 GitHub Copilot alternatives

   Pros

   • Works in many editors, from VS Code to Xcode and Neovim
   • Coding agent turns GitHub issues into pull requests
   • Choice of models from several providers

   Cons

   • The free plan has tight monthly limits
   • Premium requests can add extra costs on paid plans
   • Agent features assume your code is hosted on GitHub

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   AI Coding Assistants

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionIntegrationsTerminal integration

   Visit websiteMore about GitHub Copilot
5. 

   

   Windsurf

   Like

   Windsurf is an AI code editor based on VS Code, created by the team behind Codeium and now owned by Cognition, the company behind Devin. Its Cascade agent understands the codebase, edits multiple files, runs terminal commands and remembers project context, while Tab suggests next edits as you type. Plugins also bring its features to JetBrains IDEs and other editors. A free plan is available.

   12 Windsurf alternatives

   Pros

   • Cascade agent edits multiple files and runs commands
   • Remembers project context across sessions
   • Plugins bring its features to JetBrains and other editors

   Cons

   • Ownership changes have made its roadmap less predictable
   • Credit-based limits can run out with heavy use

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   AI Coding AssistantsCode Editors & IDEs

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionExtensions marketplaceTerminal integration

   Visit websiteMore about Windsurf
6. 

   

   Gemini Code Assist

   Like

   Gemini Code Assist brings Google's Gemini models into VS Code and JetBrains IDEs for code completion, generation and chat that takes your local codebase into account. Agent mode can plan and carry out multi-step changes, and a GitHub app reviews pull requests. The individual edition is free, while Standard and Enterprise add Google Cloud integrations, private repository customization and admin controls.

   10 Gemini Code Assist alternatives

   Pros

   • Free edition for individual developers
   • GitHub app reviews pull requests automatically
   • Agent mode carries out multi-step changes

   Cons

   • Enterprise features are tied to Google Cloud
   • Supports fewer editors than some competing assistants

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   AI Coding Assistants

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionIntegrations

   Visit websiteMore about Gemini Code Assist