Continue vs Aider
AI Coding tools comparison · Updated 2026
Choosing between Continue and Aider? Both are popular AI Coding tools. Continue is free to use and focuses on Multi-LLM support. Aider is free to use and specializes in Multi-LLM support. Here's a detailed side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
At a Glance
Feature Comparison
| Continue | Aider |
|---|---|
| ✓ Multi-LLM support | ✓ Multi-LLM support |
| ✓ Autocomplete | ✓ Auto git commits |
| ✓ AI chat | ✓ Multi-file editing |
| ✓ Inline editing | ✓ Repository mapping |
| ✓ Custom slash commands | ✓ Voice coding |
| ✓ Context providers | ✓ Linting integration |
Pricing Comparison
Continue
freeFree and open source. Use with any LLM provider or local models.
Aider
freeFree and open source. Requires your own LLM API keys.
Pros & Cons
Continue
Pros
- Fully open source
- Extremely customizable
- Works with any LLM
- Active development
Cons
- Requires configuration
- No built-in model hosting
- Quality depends on chosen LLM
Aider
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- Works with many LLMs
- Automatic git integration
- Active community
Cons
- Requires own API keys
- Terminal-only interface
- Learning curve for configuration
The Verdict
Both Continue and Aider are strong AI Coding tools. Continue stands out for Fully open source, making it ideal if that's your priority. Aider excels at Completely free and open source, which may be more important for your workflow.
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