Continue
FreeOpen-source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains, use any LLM
Quick Verdict
Developers who want AI coding assistance without leaving their IDE and with full control over which models they use
Developers who want a polished, turnkey AI coding experience with zero configuration
Free and open-source (Apache 2.0 license). Bring your own API keys or use local models.
Yes, fully free and open-source
Works in your existing IDE with any LLM provider
Requires setup and API keys; less polished than commercial alternatives
Bottom line: Continue scores 4.7/5, an excellent choice for developers who want full flexibility over their AI coding setup. The best open-source alternative to Cursor and GitHub Copilot.
Continue demo video
Watch Continue's official demo to see Continue in action before reading our full review.
Official video by Continue via YouTube, embedded for reference. ToolChase does not host or claim this video.
What is Continue?
Continue is the leading open-source AI code assistant. It integrates into VS Code and JetBrains IDEs as an extension, providing AI autocomplete, chat, and inline editing powered by any LLM you choose, Claude, GPT-4, Llama, Mistral, Ollama, or your own fine-tuned model. Unlike Cursor (which is a separate IDE), Continue works inside your existing editor. You configure it through a simple JSON file, pointing to whatever model providers you prefer. Context providers like @file, @codebase, and @docs let you feed relevant information into your prompts. Custom slash commands let you define reusable workflows. The Continue extension is free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 license, with no usage limits from Continue itself. You pay only for the API keys you choose to use, or nothing at all if you run models locally via Ollama.
Continue Pricing
Free and open-source (Apache 2.0 license). You bring your own API keys or use local models via Ollama. No subscription required.
Key Features
- Tab autocomplete
- Inline editing
- Chat with codebase context
- Custom slash commands
- Any LLM provider support
- Local model support via Ollama
- Context providers (@file, @codebase, @docs)
- VS Code and JetBrains support
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Works in existing IDE (no switching)
- Use any model (cloud or local)
- Privacy-first (run locally)
- Highly customizable
Cons
- Requires setup and API keys
- Less polished than Cursor
- No built-in model hosting
- Community support only
Best For
Developers who want AI coding assistance without leaving their IDE and with full control over which models they use
Good to know
Install the Continue extension from the VS Code Marketplace or JetBrains Plugin Marketplace. Configure your model provider in ~/.continue/config.json. Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Continue itself collects no code data. Privacy depends on your chosen provider: cloud APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic) send code to their servers. Run models locally via Ollama for complete privacy, no data leaves your machine.
Continue added paid Continue Hub tiers (Teams and Enterprise) plus an optional Models add-on during 2026, but Cursor (Anysphere) acqui-hired Continue in June 2026 and is winding the standalone product down. For a more integrated experience, consider Cursor ($20/mo) or GitHub Copilot ($10/mo).
Moderate. Installing the extension is easy, but configuring model providers and API keys requires some technical comfort. Once set up, daily usage is straightforward.
Alternatives by use case
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FAQ
What is Continue?
Continue is an open-source AI code assistant that runs as an extension in VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. It provides tab autocomplete, chat, and inline editing features powered by whatever LLM you choose to connect, including Claude, GPT-4, Llama, Mistral, or local models via Ollama.
Is Continue free?
Yes. The Continue extension is free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 license. Continue also offered paid Continue Hub tiers (Teams/Enterprise) and a Models add-on in 2026, but following Cursor's June 2026 acquisition the standalone product is being wound down. You pay only for the API keys you choose, or nothing if you run models locally with Ollama.
How does Continue compare to Cursor?
Cursor is a standalone IDE (a VS Code fork) with a polished, integrated AI experience and built-in model hosting ($20/mo). Continue is a free extension that works inside your existing VS Code or JetBrains IDE. Continue gives you more model flexibility but requires more setup. Cursor is more polished out of the box.
What LLMs does Continue support?
Continue supports virtually any LLM. Cloud providers include OpenAI (GPT-4o, GPT-4), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), Mistral, and Together AI. For local models, it integrates with Ollama, LM Studio, and llama.cpp. You can also connect to custom or self-hosted endpoints.
Does Continue work with JetBrains?
Yes. Continue has official plugins for both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.). The JetBrains plugin offers the same core features: autocomplete, chat, and inline editing with your chosen LLM provider.
Can I use Continue completely offline?
Yes. If you run a local model through Ollama or LM Studio, Continue works entirely offline. No code data leaves your machine. This makes it ideal for air-gapped environments or developers with strict privacy requirements.
How does Continue compare to GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is a polished, paid product ($10/mo) with strong inline suggestions. Continue is free and open-source with more flexibility, you choose your own models and can run everything locally. Copilot is easier to set up; Continue gives you more control and costs nothing.
What are context providers in Continue?
Context providers are a Continue feature that lets you pull relevant information into your AI prompts. Use @file to reference specific files, @codebase to search your entire project, @docs to pull in documentation, and @terminal to include terminal output. You can also build custom context providers.
