Continue is an open-source AI coding assistant that connects your IDE (VS Code, JetBrains) to any AI model — Claude, GPT-4, Llama, Gemini, or local models via Ollama. Unlike Copilot (proprietary model), Continue lets developers choose their AI backend while keeping code context private. Users configure which model to use, giving flexibility for enterprises with security requirements or preferences for specific models.
Continue
Open-source AI coding assistant for IDEs
Best for: Developers wanting an open-source AI coding assistant with model choice and privacy
- Free plan
4.4/5 ratingEditorial score 81/100continue.dev
The editorial note
What to know about Continue
Is it right for you?
Who Continue suits
Choose it if
- Developers wanting an open-source AI coding assistant with model choice and privacy
Look elsewhere if
- Developers wanting zero-configuration setup (Copilot or Codeium are simpler)
What you get
Key features
- Code completion
- Chat assistant
- Any model support
- Local model (Ollama)
- Context selection
- Custom commands
- Codebase indexing
Works with
Integrations6
The trade-off
Pros and cons
Pros
- Open-source (Apache 2.0)
- Any model (Claude, GPT, Llama)
- Local model support
- Privacy (no data sent to Continue)
- VS Code and JetBrains
- Free
Cons
- Requires API keys or local model setup
- Less polished than Copilot
- Configuration required
Quick read
At a glance
- Category
- Development & Coding
- Pricing model
- Free
- Free plan
- Available
- Free trial
- Not listed
- Website
- continue.dev
The verdict
Our take on Continue
Best open-source AI coding assistant for privacy-conscious developers. Continue's model agnosticism lets enterprises use Claude or local models without sending code to a third-party service.
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