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.
Best for
Developers who want an open-source AI assistant that works with any model including local ones.
Pros
- Fully open-source and works with any model, including local ones via Ollama — genuine model flexibility
- Code never leaves your environment when using a local model, a real privacy advantage
- Completely free
Cons
- Requires more setup than a plug-and-play commercial tool if you want to configure local models
- Feature polish trails commercial competitors like Cursor for complex multi-file agentic workflows
Tags
open-sourcevscodelocal-modelprivacyfreeollama
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Continue entirely offline?
Yes, if you connect it to a local model via Ollama — your code and prompts stay on your machine rather than being sent to a cloud API.
