Continue
💻 AI CodingOpen-source autocomplete and chat for VS Code and JetBrains. The free, self-hostable version of Copilot with any model you want.
✓ Use when
You want Copilot but with Claude or local models
✗ Avoid when
You want zero configuration
Quick Overview
Continue is a free tool in the AI Coding category. Open-source autocomplete and chat for VS Code and JetBrains. The free, self-hostable version of Copilot with any model you want.
Best used for: You want Copilot but with Claude or local models.
Consider alternatives if: You want zero configuration.
Other popular tools in this category include Trae, Devin 2.0, Codex (OpenAI). See our full AI Coding directory for all options.
We test every tool hands-on before listing it. Read our review methodology to learn how we evaluate tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Continue free?
Yes, Continue is completely free to use.
What is Continue best for?
You want Copilot but with Claude or local models
When should I avoid Continue?
You want zero configuration
What are the best Continue alternatives?
Popular alternatives to Continue in the AI Coding category include Trae, Devin 2.0, Codex (OpenAI), Replit Agent 3, Cursor. Each has different strengths depending on your specific needs and budget.
Who should use Continue?
Continue is best suited for early-stage founders and solo builders just getting started. It fits well in the AI Coding category for teams that need You want Copilot but with Claude or local models.
The AI Coding Landscape
There are 46 tools in the AI Coding category on Fewer Tools. Our top pick is Cursor. The right choice depends on your stage, budget, and specific needs.
ByteDance's AI IDE. Free Claude and GPT access, agent mode, and a polish that surprised people. The Cursor competitor that ships fast.
Cognition's second-generation AI engineer. Better long-running task execution, improved planning, dropped pricing. Production-credible for narrow scopes now.
OpenAI's coding agent. Runs in CLI, IDE, and cloud sandbox. Tight integration with Sonnet 4.5-class models on the OpenAI API.
Replit's third-generation agent. Builds, tests, deploys end to end inside Replit. Best at app prototypes that need a real environment.
Using Continue?
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