Continue vs 
Aider
Continue vs Aider compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Open-source autocomplete and chat in your IDE vs AI pair programming in your terminal.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
Continue vs Aider at a glance
| Spec | Continue | Aider |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Coding assistant | Coding assistant |
| Type | IDE extension | Terminal pair-programmer |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Runs locally | Cloud-optional | Cloud-optional |
| Primary language | TypeScript | Python |
| Ease of use | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Best for | developers who want a customizable in-IDE copilot | developers who live in the terminal and git |
| GitHub stars | 35.2k | 47.8k |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Continue | Aider |
|---|---|---|
| Autocomplete | ✓ | ✗ |
| Chat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Agent mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local models | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-IDE | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self-hostable | ✗ | ✗ |
How Continue and Aider score
| Criterion | Continue | Aider |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| License freedom | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
Continue
Continue is an open-source IDE extension for VS Code and JetBrains that brings autocomplete, chat and edits using any model, including local ones via Ollama.
- Works in VS Code and JetBrains
- Bring any model, including local via Ollama
- Highly customizable context and commands
Aider
Aider is a command-line AI pair programmer that edits code across your repo and commits to git, working with frontier or local models.
- Edits across your whole repo from the terminal
- Automatic, sensible git commits
- Strong results with both frontier and local models
Key differences
Continue is iDE extension, while Aider is terminal pair-programmer. Continue leans more beginner-friendly, whereas Aider is more suited to intermediate users. In short, Continue fits developers who want a customizable in-IDE copilot, and Aider fits developers who live in the terminal and git.
Which should you choose?
Choose Continue for developers who want a customizable in-IDE copilot. Choose Aider for developers who live in the terminal and git.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is Continue or Aider easier to use?
Continue is generally the easier of the two to get started with, while Aider rewards more setup with more control.
Are Continue and Aider free?
Continue is free and open source (Apache-2.0), and Aider is free and open source (Apache-2.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run Continue and Aider locally?
Continue: cloud-optional · Aider: cloud-optional. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
Continue vs Aider — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose Continue for developers who want a customizable in-IDE copilot. Choose Aider for developers who live in the terminal and git.
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