5 Free AI Coding Copilots for Developers to Be More Efficient
7 min read
Coding requires creativity. Anyone who says otherwise is probably from the product team. 😜
This means it can sometimes feel like a maze with no end in sight, especially when inspiration doesn’t strike at the right moment.
Now, what if you were Din Djarin from Mandalorian and you had Grogu by your side in the time of need?
With me?
These coding copilots might not be your new best friend, but tools like these can help you code faster, debug smarter, and keep your projects on track.
Why a list of Copilots?
Copilots improve developer productivity, and as an Open Source tool which improves dev productivity and team’s efficiency ourselves, we thought why not bring more awareness to some real badass Copilots out there!
Alright, moving on.
1. Cursor & Copilot++
First up, we have Cursor.
This little helper is always there with the right tool at the right time.
Cursor integrates with your IDE, offering smart code completions and suggestions.
The Copilot++ by Cursor is quite a handy autocomplete feature, is quick and definitely brings useful completions to the mix.
Need to navigate your codebase? 🌍 It helps you with that too.
It’s perfect for those moments when you’re deep into the flow and need a gentle nudge in the right direction.
Key Features:
• Smart Code Navigation: Helps you find your way through complex codebases easily.
• Contextual Suggestions: Offers suggestions that make sense based on your current code context.
2. Tabnine
Next, meet Tabnine.
Tabnine has been around for a while and has evolved with the times, integrating GPT-4o, Tabnine+Mistral, Codestral & Claude 3 for quite powerful code suggestions.
Key Features:
• Security-Conscious: SOC2 compliance + strong privacy policy against training models on customer’s code
• Supports Multiple Languages: Fluent in over 25 programming languages.
3. Cody by SourceGraph
Wise and powerful (like Yoda I guess), SourceGraph is all about searching and analyzing your codebase, helping you build deeper insights and understanding.
Cody is just like GitHub Copilot. That’s it.
With SourceGraph, you can search across massive codebases with quite a bit of precision.
Key Features:
• Comprehensive Code Search: Searches through your entire codebase to find exactly what you need.
• Code Intelligence: Understands code semantics, making it easier to navigate and refactor your code.
4. GitHub Copilot
Okay, this one isn’t technically free but worth mentioning.
It’s 2024 and no AI copilot list would be complete without GitHub Copilot.
If you haven’t checked out the GitHub Copilot Workspace then you definitely should try it at least once.
The ability to just formulate a plan and then verify it with natural language does feel like magic at times if you ask me.
Of course, you will need to verify things, don’t close your eyes and code!
GitHub Copilot might not be perfect but it’s really good especially because it’s been trained on a huge amount of Open Source code.
Key Features:
• Code Suggestions: From a single line to entire functions, you’ve got it.
• Integration: Works seamlessly with Visual Studio Code. What? You use Vim in Arch Linux? Yes yes, you can still integrate it within Vim. 😉
5. Aider.Chat
Finally, we have Aider.Chat.
Small, fast, and incredibly resourceful, Aider.Chat is all about code assistance and helps you debug like a pro.
It’s perfect for those quick fixes and debugging sessions that need speed with reliability.
Key Features:
• Real-Time Assistance: Offers help as you code, making debugging and coding faster and easier. Think auto-complete on steroids. Oh yes, I did just say that.
• Good UI: Simple and intuitive.
Is Copilot Free?
If you’ve been eyeing Microsoft or GitHub Copilot for your workflow, you’re probably wondering: Is it free, or do I need to pay? The answer is—it depends! Both Microsoft and GitHub offer free and paid versions of Copilot, catering to different needs.
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
For those using Microsoft 365, there’s a free version of Copilot that includes web grounding, file uploads, and built-in security. If you need more power, the Pro plan offers access to advanced AI models like GPT-4 Turbo and GPT-4o, giving you enhanced productivity tools.
GitHub Copilot: AI-Powered Coding Assistance
Developers can get GitHub Copilot for free, including Copilot Chat, which makes coding smoother and smarter. But if you need more features for team collaboration, Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans unlock additional capabilities.
Other AI Copilots and Their Pricing
Beyond Microsoft and GitHub, several other AI copilots are shaping productivity across different industries:
Google Gemini (formerly Bard Copilot) – Free for basic use; Gemini Advanced (powered by Gemini 1.5 Pro) requires a Google One AI Premium subscription.
Amazon CodeWhisperer – Free for individual developers; enterprise plans come with advanced AI assistance and security features.
Tabnine – Free for basic AI coding assistance; Pro plan provides advanced AI-generated code suggestions.
Salesforce Einstein Copilot – Available for Salesforce users, pricing varies based on enterprise needs.
Notion AI – Requires a Notion Plus or Business plan for full AI capabilities.
GrammarlyGO – Free version available with basic AI writing features; premium versions offer advanced rewriting and tone adjustments.
With multiple copilots offering both free and premium plans, choosing the right one depends on your workflow—whether you need AI for coding, writing, CRM, or workflow automation.
How to Use Copilots?
Copilots are designed to assist with coding, writing, automation, and productivity tasks. Here’s how you can use some of the top copilots:
GitHub Copilot – Install the extension in VS Code, JetBrains, or Neovim, and start coding with real-time AI suggestions.
Microsoft Copilot – Are you wondering how to use Microsoft Copilot? Here’s the answer to it. Integrated into Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams). Simply activate it in the toolbar for AI-powered assistance.
Amazon Q – Available in AWS services; use it in the AWS Management Console or as a chatbot for cloud-related queries and coding help.
Google Duet AI – Accessible in Google Workspace and Google Cloud; activate it in Docs, Sheets, or Gmail for AI-generated content and code assistance.
Claude AI (Anthropic) – Use it via Anthropic’s website or in integrated platforms for writing, research, and brainstorming.
Tanginine – Works as an enterprise AI assistant; integrates with business tools for workflow automation and data processing.
Replit Ghostwriter – Built into Replit’s coding environment, offering real-time code completion and explanations.
Cursor AI – Download the Cursor AI editor for AI-powered coding support, similar to GitHub Copilot.
Each copilot has its own integration and setup process, but most require logging into their platform and enabling AI assistance in your preferred tools.
Wrapping Up
There you have it folks, AI coding copilots to help you conquer the world.
Also, make sure to check out our Open Source repo and leave a star if you’re all about developer productivity as well.
And don’t forget to drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about your experiences with these AI copilots!
FAQs
What is the best AI Copilot for coding?
GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer, and Tabnine are top choices, with GitHub Copilot being the most widely used.
Can Copilot be used for coding?
Yes, GitHub Copilot and other AI copilots assist developers by suggesting code, completing functions, and debugging.
Which AI is better for developers?
GitHub Copilot is great for general coding, while Amazon CodeWhisperer offers better AWS integration, and Tabnine focuses on privacy-friendly AI coding.
Is GitHub Copilot good for developers?
Yes, it enhances productivity by providing AI-powered code suggestions, reducing boilerplate work, and speeding up development.
What is copilot on my computer?
Copilot on your computer is an AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Teams, helping with writing, data analysis, and task automation. If you use GitHub Copilot, it works within your code editor (like VS Code) to suggest and complete code.
Is GitHub Copilot free?
GitHub Copilot offers both free and paid plans. It’s free for verified students, teachers, and open-source contributors, while individuals, businesses, and enterprises need a paid subscription.
What is Microsoft Copilot Used For?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It helps with writing, summarizing, analyzing data, automating tasks, generating presentations, and managing emails. Copilot can also assist with coding, security insights, and workflow automation in enterprise environments.