What is a free alternative to GitHub Copilot?

Cline, OpenCode and Aider are listed as Free on DreamBuilds. Cline and Aider use your own model key, and OpenCode includes free models. Zed's editor is free too, with hosted AI as a paid plan or your own API key.

Is there a GitHub Copilot alternative for VS Code?

Yes. Cline is an open-source coding agent for VS Code, and Continue adds AI chat and autocomplete to VS Code and JetBrains. Codex and Claude Code also connect to supported editors.

Is there a GitHub Copilot alternative for JetBrains IDEs?

Junie is a coding agent built into JetBrains IDEs, and Continue works in JetBrains as well as VS Code.

Should I switch to a full AI editor instead?

If you want the editor itself built around AI, compare Cursor, Devin Desktop and Zed. The Cursor alternatives list covers more editors, and the comparison of Cursor and Claude Code shows how an AI editor differs from a terminal agent.

Where can I compare more coding agents?

The Claude Code alternatives list and the Codex alternatives list each compare 10 coding agents, and the terminal coding agents list covers command-line options.

Best for github copilot alternatives

GitHub Copilot alternatives: AI coding tools to compare

GitHub Copilot adds code completion and a coding agent to GitHub and supported editors, with a free tier. If you want a different editor, an agent from another company, a free or open-source tool, or one that runs on your own model key, these are the DreamBuilds listings to compare. Pricing tiers are shown only when we verified them.

10 tools. Ordered by how directly each listing matches this job, judged from its DreamBuilds description. This is an editorial order, not a benchmark or a test result.

Cursor
Desktop code editor with agents that can edit a repository, run commands, and show the diff.
The closest swap for editor work: a desktop code editor with agents that edit your repository, run commands and show the diff, with a free tier.
FreemiumOfficial site
Claude Code
Anthropic's coding agent for the terminal and supported editors. It is not included in Claude's free plan.
Anthropic's coding agent for the terminal and supported editors. It is not included in Claude's free plan.
PaidOfficial site
Codex
OpenAI's coding agent for the terminal, an editor extension, and ChatGPT. The free ChatGPT plan includes limited Codex access.
OpenAI's coding agent for the terminal, an editor extension and ChatGPT. The free ChatGPT plan includes limited Codex access.
FreemiumOfficial site
Devin Desktop
AI IDE and agent manager from Cognition. Formerly Windsurf.
An AI IDE with an agent manager, from Cognition. It was called Windsurf before.
Official site
Cline
Open-source coding agent for VS Code. You bring your own model key.
Stay in VS Code with an open-source agent that uses your own model key.
FreeOfficial site
Continue
Editor extension for AI chat and autocomplete in VS Code and JetBrains.
Stay in VS Code or JetBrains and add AI chat and autocomplete.
Official site
Junie
Coding agent built into JetBrains IDEs.
For JetBrains users who want a coding agent built into the IDE.
Official site
Zed
Open-source code editor. The editor is free; hosted AI is a paid plan, or you can connect your own API key.
A different, open-source editor. Use its paid hosted AI or connect your own API key.
FreemiumOfficial site
OpenCode
Open-source coding agent for the terminal, a desktop app, and IDE extensions. Free models are included, or you can connect models from other providers.
Open source, with a terminal agent, a desktop app and IDE extensions. Free models are included, or connect other providers.
FreeOfficial site
Aider
Open-source pair programmer in the terminal. You bring your own model key.
Free and open source, in the terminal. You bring your own model key.
FreeOfficial site

FAQ

What is a free alternative to GitHub Copilot?: Cline, OpenCode and Aider are listed as Free on DreamBuilds. Cline and Aider use your own model key, and OpenCode includes free models. Zed's editor is free too, with hosted AI as a paid plan or your own API key.
Is there a GitHub Copilot alternative for VS Code?: Yes. Cline is an open-source coding agent for VS Code, and Continue adds AI chat and autocomplete to VS Code and JetBrains. Codex and Claude Code also connect to supported editors.
Is there a GitHub Copilot alternative for JetBrains IDEs?: Junie is a coding agent built into JetBrains IDEs, and Continue works in JetBrains as well as VS Code.
Should I switch to a full AI editor instead?: If you want the editor itself built around AI, compare Cursor, Devin Desktop and Zed. The Cursor alternatives list covers more editors, and the comparison of Cursor and Claude Code shows how an AI editor differs from a terminal agent.
Where can I compare more coding agents?: The Claude Code alternatives list and the Codex alternatives list each compare 10 coding agents, and the terminal coding agents list covers command-line options.

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