Aider vs Continue (2026)
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: May 13, 2026
Aider
Aider is an open-source AI coding tool that works in your terminal, letting you pair program with LLMs directly in your codebase.
Continue
Continue is an open-source AI code assistant that integrates into VS Code and JetBrains, letting you use any LLM as your coding assistant.
Pros
- ✓Free and open source
- ✓Works in terminal
- ✓Multi-file editing
- ✓Supports multiple LLMs
Cons
- ✗Command-line only
- ✗Requires technical setup
- ✗No GUI
Pros
- ✓Open source and free
- ✓Use any LLM including local models
- ✓Good IDE integration
- ✓Privacy-friendly local model option
Cons
- ✗Requires LLM API keys
- ✗Less polished than Copilot
- ✗Setup required
Aider vs Continue: Side by Side
| Factor | Aider | Continue |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | AI Coding Assistants | AI Coding Assistants |
| Pricing Model | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Developers who prefer terminal-based workflows and want free AI pair programming | Privacy-conscious developers who want to use their own LLM with AI coding assistance |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Aider Features
- ✓Terminal-based AI coding
- ✓Multi-file editing
- ✓Git integration
- ✓Multiple LLM support
- ✓Open source
Continue Features
- ✓VS Code and JetBrains integration
- ✓Multiple LLM support
- ✓Local model support
- ✓Custom context
- ✓Open source
Pricing Comparison
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Aider if...
- →Developers who prefer terminal-based workflows and want free AI pair programming
Choose Continue if...
- →Privacy-conscious developers who want to use their own LLM with AI coding assistance
Our Take
Choose Aider if developers who prefer terminal-based workflows and want free ai pair programming. Choose Continue if privacy-conscious developers who want to use their own llm with ai coding assistance.
How Aider and Continue Are Similar
- •Both are AI Coding Assistants platforms designed for individuals and teams
- •Both are web-based with no software installation required
- •Both use AI to automate or accelerate creative and professional tasks
- •Both offer customer support and documentation to help new users get started
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Aider and Continue?
Aider is best for developers who prefer terminal-based workflows and want free ai pair programming. Continue is best for privacy-conscious developers who want to use their own llm with ai coding assistance.
Which is better, Aider or Continue?
Choose Aider if developers who prefer terminal-based workflows and want free ai pair programming. Choose Continue if privacy-conscious developers who want to use their own llm with ai coding assistance.
How much does Aider cost?
Visit Aider website for current pricing.
How much does Continue cost?
Visit Continue website for current pricing.
Who should use Aider?
Developers who prefer terminal-based workflows and want free AI pair programming
Who should use Continue?
Privacy-conscious developers who want to use their own LLM with AI coding assistance