Best AI tools for coding
9 tools we'd consider, best first.
#1Cursor
freemiumfreemium · Free tier available
AI-first code editor for building whole features by prompt.
- Download the Cursor editor from cursor.com
- Open your project folder (VS Code settings can be imported)
- Press Cmd/Ctrl+I to open the Agent and describe the change
#2GitHub Copilot
freemiumFrom $10/user/mo (Pro) · Free tier available ✓ checked 2026-10-16
In-editor code completion that most developers already trust.
- Enable Copilot Free in your GitHub account settings
- Install the GitHub Copilot extension in VS Code and sign in
- Accept inline suggestions with Tab or open Copilot Chat for bigger changes
How people use it (1)
Used GitHub Copilot to gather info for reviving Tessel 2 boards; blog post linked.
Try: Summarise this repo's setup steps and list what's outdated for modern Node
#3Windsurf
freemiumFrom $20/mo (Pro) · Free tier available ✓ checked 2026-10-16
Agentic AI code editor; its pricing now sits on Devin's site.
- Download the editor from windsurf.com
- Open your project and sign in
- Use the agent panel to describe changes across files
How people use it
Used GitHub Copilot to gather info for reviving Tessel 2 boards; blog post linked.
Try: Summarise this repo's setup steps and list what's outdated for modern Node
Also worth a look
ChatGPT
freemiumfreemium · Free tier available
General-purpose assistant; the default starting point for most text tasks.
- Sign up at chatgpt.com with email or Google
- Describe your task in a new chat; attach files if needed
- Save repeat prompts as a Project or custom GPT
Claude
freemiumFrom £18/mo (£15/mo billed annually) · Free tier available ✓ checked 2026-10-16
Strong at long documents and careful writing.
- Create an account at claude.ai
- Upload your document or paste text into a chat
- Turn on Artifacts to get editable docs or code alongside the chat
Replit
?Price not verified
Browser-based IDE with an AI Agent that builds and hosts apps.
- Sign up at replit.com
- Describe your app to Replit Agent on the home screen
- Test in the preview pane, then click Deploy
LangGraph
freemiumFrom $39/seat/mo (LangSmith Plus) · Free tier available ✓ checked 2026-10-16
Open-source library for controllable, stateful agents in Python/JS.
- pip install langgraph
- Define your agent as a graph of nodes and edges
- Trace and debug runs in LangSmith
CrewAI
freemiumFrom Enterprise: custom (Basic is free) · Free tier available ✓ checked 2026-10-16
Framework and studio for multi-agent 'crews' that work together.
- pip install crewai (or sign up for CrewAI Studio)
- Define agents with roles and tasks
- Run the crew and review the output
OpenAI Agents SDK
?Price not verified
OpenAI's code-first agent framework; recommended successor to Agent Builder.
- pip install openai-agents
- Create an Agent with instructions and tools
- Run it with Runner and inspect the traces
Featured placement on task pages. Clearly labelled, never mixed into our rankings.