Open source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains, with any model
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.
- features
- 4
- alternatives
- 9
- platforms
- 3
- Updated
- Oct 12, 2026
Features
Our take
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
Editorial assessment by the Alternatives.tools team, based on what the product is known for. Not a user review.
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