Aider vs Continue
Both are AI code tools. Here’s how they compare on pricing, use case and popularity — so you can pick the right one without opening ten tabs.
Aider
Aider is a free, open-source command-line AI coding tool that connects to your git repo and edits files directly. It works with any AI model (GPT-4o, Claude, etc.) and has strong multi-file editing, test-running and commit support. Popular with developers who prefer terminal workflows.
Continue
Continue is an open-source VS Code and JetBrains extension that lets you use any AI model — Claude, GPT-4o, Gemini, local Ollama models — for code completion and chat. Privacy-focused: your code never leaves your environment if using a local model.
Pick Aider if you want developers who want a free, open-source, terminal-based ai coding assistant. Pick Continue if you want developers who want an open-source ai assistant that works with any model including local ones. Both have a free way to try them, so the fastest answer is to open each and run your real task.