AI coding tools have split into three distinct jobs: completing code as you type, acting as an autonomous agent that edits across your project, and building whole apps from a prompt. Picking well means knowing which job you're hiring for.
In-editor autocomplete
GitHub Copilot remains the safe default — it lives inside the editors most people already use and suggests the next line or block as you type. Tabnine is the privacy-conscious alternative, with options to keep code local, which matters for teams with strict policies.
AI-native editors and agents
Cursor has become the tool to beat for serious work. It's a full editor built around AI that understands your whole codebase, makes coordinated multi-file edits, and can run background agents on tasks. Windsurf (formerly Codeium) competes closely with a clean agentic experience and a generous free tier. Claude Code works from the terminal and is strong at planning and executing larger changes, while Sourcegraph Cody shines on large, existing codebases.
Prompt-to-app builders
If you're not a developer but want a working app, Lovable, Bolt.new, and Vercel's v0 turn plain descriptions into full-stack apps and UI in minutes. The quality gap with hand-coded software keeps shrinking, and these are the fastest way to ship a prototype.
Which to choose
- Plug into your current editor → GitHub Copilot.
- Move beyond autocomplete to a real collaborator → Cursor or Windsurf.
- Ship an app without coding → Lovable, Bolt.new, or v0.
Browse all of them in our developer tools directory.
Pricing and features change quickly; confirm current plans on each tool's site.