Starter DOCSComparisons
🤖 AI Code Editors
| Tool | Type | Primary Focus | Major Models | Free Tier | Paid Plan | Best For | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| v0 by Vercel | UI Generator | React/Tailwind UIs | Claude, GPT-4 | $5 credits/mo | $20+/mo | Frontend prototyping | Vercel+GitHub, visual designer, UI-first |
| Lovable | App Builder | Full-stack web apps | Claude, GPT-4, Gemini | 5 credits/day | $25+/mo | MVPs, non-devs | Supabase, deploy, team collaboration |
| Cursor | Code Editor | Productivity, multi-file | Claude, GPT-4, Gemini | 2K completions/mo | $20+/mo | Daily dev, large codebase | VS Code fork, privacy, context tracking |
| Windsurf | Agentic IDE | Complex, collaborative | Claude, Gemini | Limited | $15+/mo | Teams, deep flow | Cascade agent, write+terminal mode |
| JetBrains AI | IDE Assistant | Native JetBrains IDE | GPT-4, proprietary | JetBrains sub | $20+/mo IDE | JetBrains users | Refactor, native code understanding |
| VS Code w/ Copilot | Extension | Code completion, chat | Claude, GPT-4, Gemini | 12K completions | $10/mo Indiv., $19/user | All devs, open source | Chat, Copilot Agents, GitHub context |
| Cline | Agentic Extension | Editor + CLI automation | Claude, GPT-4, Gemini, local | Open Source | API usage cost | CLI+editor automation | Terminal commands, browser, diff views, custom tools |
Major Highlights
VS Code (Copilot/Cline)
- GitHub Copilot offers real-time completions and chat, supporting dozens of languages, with affordable pricing for individuals and open source projects.
- Cline is open-source, deeply integrated with both editor and terminal, automating workflows, diff-tracking, shell commands, and even browser automation. It supports wide API/model choice and costs vary by model (Claude, GPT-4, local LLMs).
Other Leading AI Extensions
- Sourcegraph Cody: AI code search and repo-level chat for large projects, requires Sourcegraph account.
- Tabnine: Learns developer style, paid, strong auto-complete.
- Pieces for Developers: Local AI copilot, free tier, browser/IDE integration, multi-model support.
- Amazon Q Developer, ChatGPT, Bito: Each offers specialized code review, auto-complete, and integrations depending on workflow.
Customization and Ecosystem
- VS Code and Cline support extensibility, adding custom AI agents/tools for domain-specific or workflow-specific automation.
- Most tools support major LLMs (GPT-4, Claude, Gemini) and VS Code also supports running local models for privacy/cost control.
Quick Takeaways
- Front-end/Design: Choose v0 for fast React/Tailwind UIs.
- MVP/App Builder: Use Lovable for full-stack builds, non-developer-friendly.
- Professional Coding: Cursor (VS Code-based), Windsurf, JetBrains AI for complex coding and team workflows.
- Open Source & Automation: Cline for agentic automation and deep CLI/editor tasks, Copilot for affordable completions and chat.