The best AI coding tools
AI coding tools have moved from suggesting the next line to agents that can fix bugs, write tests and change dozens of files on their own. Here are the four worth knowing, from the easiest place to start to the most capable agents.
Our picks
From suggestions as you type to agents that complete whole tasks.
Easiest place to start
1. GitHub Copilot by GitHub (Microsoft)
An AI pair programmer inside popular code editors. It suggests code as you type, answers questions in chat, and can work as an agent that makes changes and reviews code.
- Works in the editors developers already use
- Free plan to try it (2,000 suggestions a month)
- Pro adds unlimited suggestions, an agent, code review and a command-line tool
Watch out: The free plan runs out quickly with daily use. Review AI-written code for bugs and security issues before shipping it.
Price: Free plan; Pro $10/month; Pro+ $39/monthOn: VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio, Command line
Best AI-first code editor
2. Cursor by Anysphere (being acquired by SpaceX)
A code editor built around AI. An agent can make changes across many files, you can chat about your code, and cloud agents can work on tasks in the background.
- AI built into every part of editing
- Strong at large changes across many files
- One of the most popular AI editors with professional developers
Watch out: In 2026 SpaceX, which owns Grok's maker xAI, agreed to buy Cursor. The cheaper plans now include only Grok models, and other companies' models cost extra. SpaceX has said Cursor's developer data could help improve Grok, so check the privacy settings.
Price: Free plan; Plus $8/month (Grok models only); Premium $30/monthOn: Windows, Mac, Linux
Best for big, complex tasks
3. Claude Code by Anthropic
Anthropic's coding agent. Hand it a task, such as a bug fix, tests or a larger migration, and it works through your codebase while you steer and review, from the terminal, your code editor, the web or your phone.
- Top scores on independent coding-agent benchmarks (October 2026)
- Handles large codebases and long, multi-step tasks
- Included in the Claude Pro subscription
Watch out: Subscription plans have usage limits. It can change many files at once, so review its changes before you merge them.
Price: Included with Claude Pro ($20/month, or $17/month yearly); Max from $100/monthOn: Command line, VS Code, JetBrains, Web, iPhone, Android
Best value if you already pay for ChatGPT
4. Codex by OpenAI
OpenAI's coding agent. Delegate tasks to run in the cloud, or use it on your own computer through the command line and code-editor extension. It's included with ChatGPT subscriptions.
- Comes with ChatGPT plans you may already pay for
- Runs several cloud tasks in parallel
- Strong results for the cost in independent benchmarks
Watch out: How much you can use it depends on task size and model; Plus users can hit limits during heavy use. The full version needs a paid ChatGPT plan.
Price: Included with ChatGPT Plus and higher; limited use on Free and GoOn: Web, Command line, VS Code, iPhone
How to choose
- New to AI coding, or want help inside your current editor? GitHub Copilot.
- Want an editor designed around AI? Cursor, but read its watch-out about the new ownership and model limits.
- Large codebases, long multi-step tasks? Claude Code, which leads independent benchmarks of coding agents as of October 2026.
- Already have ChatGPT Plus or higher? Try Codex first, since it’s included.
Use AI code with care
Treat AI-written code like code from a new colleague: review it, run the tests, and check for security problems before it goes live. Keep secrets (passwords, API keys) out of prompts, and check your company’s rules on which tools may see its code.
How we pick
Features and prices come from each tool’s official pages, and benchmark claims from independent leaderboards, checked on the date shown on each card. No tool pays to be listed. See how we pick across all jobs.