Continue Review - Open Source Copilot

⭐ Score: 7.5/10 | 💰 Pricing: Free - $49/month | 🏷️ Category: coding

Overview

Continue is an open-source alternative to GitHub Copilot, designed to provide AI-assisted coding directly within your editor or IDE. It’s built using the same technology that powers Copilot but offers more flexibility and customization for developers who prefer open-source solutions. Continue supports a wide range of languages and integrates with popular editors like Visual Studio Code, Neovim, and IntelliJ.

✅ What We Love

  • Open-Source: By being open-source, Continue allows users to customize the code, add new features, and even contribute back to the project. This ensures transparency and security.
  • Multi-Language Support: Unlike some of its competitors, Continue supports over 20 programming languages out-of-the-box, making it a versatile tool for polyglot programmers.
  • Customizable Prompts: Continue allows users to define their own prompts or use pre-defined ones, giving developers more control over how the AI generates code suggestions.

❌ What Could Be Better

  • Documentation: While there’s documentation available, it could be more comprehensive and easier to navigate. Some users might find the setup process confusing without clearer instructions.
  • Integration Lag: For some users, especially those using less popular editors or IDEs, integration with Continue may not be as smooth. They might experience lag or compatibility issues.

💰 Pricing Breakdown

  • Free tier: Offers basic AI-assisted coding features, including language support for over 20 languages.
  • Pro plan: $49/month - Includes advanced features like priority access to new models, unlimited completions per day, and custom model training.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing - Designed for businesses needing additional security, scalability, and dedicated support.

💡 Best For

Continue is best suited for developers who want an open-source alternative to Copilot. It’s also ideal for those looking to try AI-assisted coding without the commitment of a paid subscription. Professionals working in multiple languages or wanting more control over their AI coding tool will find Continue particularly useful.

🚫 Skip If

If you’re looking for a seamless, out-of-the-box solution with immediate, reliable support, you might prefer a closed-source tool like Copilot. Similarly, those who primarily work in languages not yet supported by Continue should consider other options.

The Verdict

Continue offers an impressive open-source alternative to GitHub Copilot. Its flexibility and customization options make it appealing for developers seeking more control over their AI-assisted coding experience. However, it’s important to note that while it’s powerful, Continue might require more setup effort and may have occasional compatibility issues compared to its proprietary counterparts.

While it doesn’t quite reach the polish and reliability of Copilot yet, Continue scores high on innovation, transparency, and adaptability. It’s an excellent choice for developers looking to explore AI-assisted coding without being locked into a specific ecosystem or pricing model. Given these factors, we score Continue at 7.5/10.

🔗 Resources

Review written as of January 2026.