AI-native VS Code fork: Agent plans multi-file edits, Tab finishes lines. / Why: the cheapest paid tier of the three ($8/mo) — if Grok models are enough.
Free· paid from$8/mo
Plus is Grok-onlyChecked 2026-10-19·cursor.com/pricing
vs ChatGPTWrite code & build agents
488 tools. Most people should start with one of the three below: they cover editor, IDE and terminal, and each has a free way in or a clear first paid tier.
OUR TAKE
Start with Cursor for an AI editor, GitHub Copilot to stay in your current IDE, or Claude Code if you work from the terminal.
Good fit
Developers choosing a first paid coding tool
Poor fit
No-code builders — see Replit Agent
Sort
Start here · Editor picks
Pair programmer inside your IDE and GitHub, with chat and completions. / Why: stays inside the IDE you already use; Pro is $10/mo.
Free· paid from$10/mo
Flex credits are not unlimited AgentChecked 2026-10-19·github.com/features/copilot
vs Cursor
Anthropic's coding agent that works across your repo from the terminal or app. / Why: terminal-first across the whole repo; no editor switch.
Paid only$17/mo yearly
Claude Code is on paid seatsChecked 2026-10-22·anthropic.com/pricing
vs Codex CLIAll 485, in editor's order
Showing 12 of 485 · page 40
AutoGPT is a hosted “team of AI Experts” product with a Build canvas (see the cover): Home / Agents / Marketplace / Build, a node graph,…
Free· paid from$320/mo
Trial needs a cardChecked 2026-10-19·agpt.co
vs OpenHands
Cline is an open-source coding agent in your IDE (VS Code / Cursor / JetBrains / CLI / desktop): the official docs GIF (see the cover) is…
Free· open source,Apache 2.0
The extension is freeChecked 2026-10-19·cline.bot/pricing
vs Cursor
Continue is an open-source IDE coding agent (VS Code / JetBrains / CLI): the official docs still (see the cover) is the User Settings…
Free· open source,Apache 2.0
The repo is read-onlyChecked 2026-10-19·continue.dev
vs Cursor
CrewAI is a MIT multi-agent framework plus CrewAI Studio, a hosted visual editor: the official docs still (see the cover) is the Studio…
Free· open source,MIT
Free Cloud is 50 executions/monthChecked 2026-10-19·crewai.com/pricing
vs AutoGen
Dify is a visual studio for LLM apps: workflows, RAG knowledge, agents, and model providers — self-host Community or run Dify Cloud
Paid only$1/mo
Self-host is not zero opsChecked 2026-10-19·dify.ai/pricing
vs Langflow
LangChain is an open-source Python/JS framework for LLM apps (chains, agents, tools)
Free· paid from$39/mo
OSS is not a studioChecked 2026-10-19·langchain.com/pricing
vs Langflow
Langflow is a MIT visual builder for LLM agents and RAG flows: drag components (models, tools, vector stores), test them in a Playground,…
Free· open source,MIT
You bring the model keyChecked 2026-10-19·docs.langflow.org/get-started-installation
vs n8n
LiteLLM is an OpenAI-compatible AI gateway: the official docs still (see the cover) is the Admin UI Virtual Keys table — alias, team,…
Free· open source,open source
$0 is the proxy, not the tokensChecked 2026-10-19·litellm.ai/pricing
vs Ollama
LlamaIndex is an open-source data framework (RAG, indexes, agents) plus LlamaParse / LlamaCloud, a hosted document platform: the official…
Free· paid from$1.25
LlamaParse is not MITChecked 2026-10-19·llamaindex.ai/pricing
vs LangChain
Lovable is a hosted prompt-to-app studio: the dashboard says “Ready to build?” with a composer, Build, and a project list
Free· paid from$15
Free is a 30-credit monthly bucketChecked 2026-10-19·docs.lovable.dev/introduction/subscription-plans
vs Bolt
n8n is a visual workflow and AI-agent builder: connect 1,000+ apps, add LLM and MCP nodes, and run automations on a schedule or webhook
Free· paid from€20/mo yearly
You operate the graphChecked 2026-10-19·n8n.io/pricing
vs Zapier
OpenHands is an autonomous software-engineering agent with a product UI: the official still (see the cover) is the Automations list — PR…
Free· open source,open source
Free SaaS is not free tokensChecked 2026-10-19·all-hands.dev/pricing
vs CursorStill deciding? Put them side by side
Facets: Run it yourself · Free only