Open source GitHub Copilot alternatives
Top AI Coding Assistants like GitHub Copilot
The most popular alternative to GitHub Copilot is Continue, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to GitHub Copilot are Cline and Aider.
Most alternatives to GitHub Copilot are in the AI Coding Assistants category, compared here by price, platform and features.
All GitHub Copilot alternatives
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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesCline 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 alternativesPros
- 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 / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesAider 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.
8 Aider alternativesPros
- 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
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategories
GitHub Copilot vs its alternatives at a glance
Pricing, platforms and the key features of GitHub Copilot, compared with its most popular alternatives.
| App | Pricing | Platforms | Autonomous coding agent | Chat with your codebase | Code completion | Integrations | Terminal integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | ||||||
| FreemiumOpen source | Windows, Mac, Linux | ||||||
| FreemiumOpen source | Windows, Mac, Linux | ||||||
| Aider | FreeOpen source | Windows, Mac, Linux |
GitHub Copilot alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to GitHub Copilot?
The most popular alternative to GitHub Copilot is Continue: Open source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains, with any model. Other great alternatives are Cline and Aider.
Is there a free alternative to GitHub Copilot?
Yes, 3 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Continue, Cline, and Aider.
Is there an open source alternative to GitHub Copilot?
Yes, 3 open source alternatives are listed, including Continue, Cline, and Aider.
Is GitHub Copilot free?
GitHub Copilot has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.
Compare GitHub Copilot with its alternatives
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