AI coding assistants
Quick answerAI coding assistants autocomplete code in your editor and, increasingly, run as agents that edit across files, run tests and open pull requests. Entry plans are inexpensive, but heavy agent use is usage-metered on most products, so compare the limits as well as the sticker price.
4 AI coding assistants compared
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | 8.7 | $8/mo | Yes | All-round use, especially if you want image generation and voice in one app |
| GitHub Copilot | 8.5 | $10/mo | Yes | Developers who live in GitHub and want a low-cost assistant |
| Claude | 8.4 | $17/mo | Yes | Long documents, careful writing and coding with Claude Code |
| Cursor | 8.2 | $20/mo | Yes | Developers who want an agentic, AI-native editor |
Score out of 10 from our rubric. "From" is the cheapest paid plan in USD per month. See every plan in the pricing tracker.
The tools
ChatGPT 8.7
The most feature-complete AI chat assistant, with a price ladder from free to $200 a month.
GitHub Copilot 8.5
GitHub's coding assistant, with Pro at $10 and Pro+ at $39 a month.
Claude 8.4
A writing- and coding-focused assistant whose Pro plan bundles Claude Code at $20 a month.
Cursor 8.2
An AI-native code editor with Pro at $20 and heavier tiers up to $200 a month.