The way we write code is changing fast. In my last post, “Can Vibe Coding Replace Traditional Coding?” I have discussed this in detail.
Well, in this post, I’ll talk about the 14 best AI tools for Coding.
Whether you are a pro coder or have just basic coding knowledge, these apps will help you develop apps faster than ever.
With many helpful features like autocomplete functions, suggest optimized solutions, and even generate entire code blocks based on natural language prompts, these apps are really a cool assistant for a coder.
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So, what will you get in this post? We’ll discuss their standout features, who they’re best suited for, and why they’re worth adding to your dev stack this year.
But first, you should know,
What is an AI Coding Tool?
An AI coding tool is an app that helps you develop software and apps with the help of AI (Artificial Intelligence).
They help developers like you and me to write, review, optimize, or generate code more efficiently and fast.
Coders can rely on these tools to avoid manually typing every line. AI coding tools can help in,
- Autocomplete code
- Suggest fixes or improvements
- Translate natural language into code
- Detect bugs and security flaws
- Generate tests or documentation
- And even write an entire app, website, or software (It needs supervision of s developer to get the best out of it)
These tools are trained using information from massive codebases such as GitHub repositories, Stack Overflow posts, and documentation.
This approach enables them to understand programming patterns, best practices, and even context-specific logic.
In simple words,
AI coding tools act like smart co-pilots. They guide you through the coding process, saving time, reducing errors, and making development smooth. Whether you’re building a full-stack web app or just learning Python, JavaScript, etc, they will help you in.
Even, I have developed multiple websites with them for my clients.
Can AI Coding Tools Replace Human Developers?
This is a burning question roaming in the mind of every pro coder.
Just like blogging and research, where ChatGPT and similar apps replaced bloggers, they can replace coders.
But not anytime soon.
Well, AI coding tools are incredibly powerful as they can suggest code, automate repetitive tasks, and even generate entire functions.
But they still lack the human creativity and critical thinking, a must-requirement to build scalable, secure, and user-focused applications.
So, pro-coders, “Did I help you get over your fear?”. Let’s start reviewing our 14 best AI coding tools.
14 Best AI Tools for Coding
The first and foremost tool is,
1. GitHub Copilot: Best AI Tool for Coding Suggestions
GitHub is one of the best online repositories for coders. It’s one of the best tools for remote teams who want to be updated every time with their projects.
Almost every coder uses GitHub in their coding journey.
If you’re looking for the smartest coding assistant out there, GitHub Copilot, the AI ChatBot by GitHub, should be your first pick.
This tool is built by GitHub and OpenAI and acts like an AI-powered programming assistant.
You just have to start typing a few lines, and Copilot instantly suggests complete lines or even entire functions.
It’s really cool for people like me who don’t want to type code.
It understands the context of your code and can automatically generate surprisingly accurate suggestions.
That’s why I love this tool.
One of the best things I like about GitHub Copilot is how it adapts to different programming languages.
It can help you in writing Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, or even other languages.
The other cool feature of GitHub Copilot is that you can also give it a prompt in simple English, and Copilot will write the code for you.
Sounds crazy, right?
But yes, it works that way.
Best For: Developers who want instant code suggestions while working inside their favorite IDEs like Visual Studio Code, JetBrains, Neovim, etc, it’s one of the best AI coding suggestion tools.
2. Tabnine – AI-Powered Coding Assistant for Developers
If you are searching for a lightweight AI tool to boost your coding speed without messing with the large prompts, you should definitely check out Tabnine.
Tabnine focuses completely on making your autocomplete coding smarter.
Instead of providing random suggestions, it can predict the next block of your code based on the context and patterns of your previously written code.
I personally like its offline mode, which makes your code stay private and secure.
Another good thing you’ll notice is that Tabnine supports almost every major language and IDE you can think of.
No matter whether you’re coding in VS Code, IntelliJ, or even Eclipse, it is available for all of them.
The best thing is that it doesn’t just suggest code blindly but tries to provide clean, production-ready suggestions.
Best For: Developers who want a fast, secure, and intelligent autocomplete coding feature in thier IDE.
3. Replit Ghostwriter – Best AI Tool for Coding in the Cloud
RElpit Ghostwriter is an online AI coding assistant tool.
So, if you want coding directly in your browser without anything complicated setup, Replit Ghostwriter is going to be your best AI assistant.
Ghostwriter is built right into Replit’s own cloud-based IDE.
I can understand your project instantly.
You can start typing your logic, and Ghostwriter will start suggesting code, explaining snippets, debugging issues, and even helping you generate full functions from just plain English prompts.
What I personally enjoy in Ghostwriter is how smooth and fast it is.
I actually don’t need to install plugins or worry about machine specs. It’s perfect if you’re coding from a basic laptop or even a tablet.
Best For: It’s best for developers who want a powerful AI coding assistant tool directly inside a cloud-based IDE without installing anything.
4. Cursor IDE – AI Tool for Secure Coding
If you want to write clean, secure, and efficient code with the help of AI, Cursor IDE is a tool you must give a try.
Cursor is an AI-powered code editor tool that integrates advanced features of AI directly into your coding environment.
It intelligently autocompletes your code that predicts your next edits, smart rewrites to fix mistakes, and multi-line edit suggestions. This facility actually saves your precious time while coding.
One standout feature of this tool is the ability to edit code using natural language instructions.
You can update entire classes or functions by writing simple prompts that make the development process faster and more intuitive.
Cursor also includes a Composer feature, which is designed for complex, cross-file refactoring scenarios.
Its advanced editing interface allows you to edit extensive single files or generate entirely new files based on existing code.
Best For: Coders who prioritize secure, clean, and efficient coding and are looking for an AI-integrated IDE to enhance their productivity, it is best for them.
5. JetBrains AI Assistant – Advanced AI Tool for Coding Automation
If you are a JetBrains IDE user like IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, or WebStorm, you can use JetBrains AI Assistant in your workflow because it can significantly enhance your coding efficiency.
JetBrains AI Assistant is built embedded within the JetBrains ecosystem. It offers features like context-aware code generation, advanced code completion, and automated test creation, very helpful for coders.
It supports multiple programming languages, including Java, Python, and JavaScript, and provides intelligent suggestions based on your project’s context.
Features like AI chat are amazing. AI Chat allows you to ask questions about your code, get explanations, and even generate code snippets directly within your IDE.
Cool?
The seamless integration lets you not have to switch between tools and keeps your focus on development.
Best For: If you are a JetBrains user and want to enhance your coding workflow with integrated AI assistance for code generation, completion, and understanding, then this one is built for you.
6. AskCodi – Best AI Tool for Coding and Documentation
AskCodi not only helps you write code but also generates clear documentation. It offers a complete suite of applications designed to streamline your development workflow.
The code generator of this assistant produces code snippets according to your needs across various programming languages.
I also used this tool and found that it automatically generates comprehensive documentation of your code, which actually makes it easier to maintain and understand your codebase.
I also found a useful feature of this tool, the “Error Explainer”, which decodes error messages and provides clear explanations and potential fixes.
The commit generator creates concise and informative commit messages so that you can trace code changes.
You can use it in popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code etc.
Best For: If you want to enhance your coding efficiency and automate documentation, then it is one of the best tools for you.
7. Polycoder – Open-Source AI Tool for Coding in C
Polycoder is an open-source AI coding assistant tool built for C language users. If you work extensively on C, Polycoder is a great AI code generation model to consider.
It is developed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and built on the GPT-2 architecture, which is further trained on a substantial dataset of 249GB of code across 12 programming languages.
If you are a C programmer, then you will see how it outperforms other models, including OpenAI’s Codex.
Well, I don’t write code in the C language, so it’s not for me, but if you are one of them, then you must try this out.
Best For: Programmers and researchers who want to start with an open-source AI tool optimized for C programming, it is the best tool.
8. Snyk Code – AI Coding Tool for Security and Bug Detection
Synk Code is best to enhance your code’s security and catch bugs early in the development process.
Snyk Code can integrate seamlessly into your IDE (no matter which one you use, it is compatible with many popular ones).
It provides the facility of real-time scanning for vulnerabilities as you write code.
Its AI-powered engine, DeepCode AI, analyzes your codebase to identify potential security issues and suggests fixes directly within your development environment.
I think it’s really cool feature.
The auto-bug fix feature is amazing. With a single click, you can apply AI-generated fixes for common vulnerabilities.
This feature saves your time and reduces the risk of troubleshooting errors manually.
It supports multiple programming languages and integrates with various development tools.
Best For: If you want to identify and fix security vulnerabilities and bugs within your codebase with the help of AI-driven tools, then you must try this on.
9. IntelliCode by Microsoft – Smart AI Coding Tool for Visual Studio
Developed by Microsoft, IntelliCode is an AI-powered extension that enhances your coding experience by providing intelligent code suggestions and automating repetitive tasks.
If you are already using Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code, you might be using this tool.
Its X-Factor is, it analyzes your code context, including variable names, functions, and the type of code you’re writing, and offers the most relevant suggestions.
With IntelliCode, you’ll find AI assistance directly in your development flow, helping you write code more efficiently.
Like, IntelliCode can fill entire lines of code at once and reduce the time spent on boilerplate code.
It learned from thousands of open-source projects on GitHub and was trained to provide you with the most relevant suggestions.
IntelliCode runs on your own system, which ensures your private code stays private.
For your information, let me tell you, it’s available for C# in Visual Studio 2022 and for Python in Visual Studio Code.
Best For: Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code users who want to enhance their productivity with AI-assisted code completions, it is the best tool.
Other AI Coding Tools
Apart from the major players that I’ve already discussed, there are a few more AI coding tools you should know about.
10. OpenAI Codex
Do you want to convert plain English instructions into functional code? OpenAI Codex is the AI model designed to make that possible.
Built on the GPT-3 architecture and fine-tuned with a publicly accessible dataset, Codex can translate our natural language prompts into working code in several programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, Go, and Ruby.
You will find Codex in GitHub Copilot and is also accessible through OpenAI’s API.
This enables you to build custom tools or integrate AI coding assistance into your applications.
It can be used in generating code snippets, auto-completing functions, writing documentation, and even debugging.
One of the best features of Codex is its ability to understand and execute complex instructions. That’s the versatility of this coding tool.
But you must know that Codex was deprecated in March 2023. Now, OpenAI recommends using GPT-3.5 or GPT-4 for coding.
Best For: It is best for converting language instructions into code across multiple programming languages. If you are a basic coder, then it can be a useful tool for you.
11. Sourcegraph Cody
Sourcgraph is best for extensive and complex codebases.
Sourcegraph Cody is designed to integrate seamlessly with popular IDEs like VS Code, IntelliJ, and PyCharm. It provides features like AI chat, autocomplete, and inline edits without disrupting your workflow.
Cody uses Sourcegraph’s code graph to understand your entire codebase.
It offers context-aware assistance that goes beyond isolated code snippets.
It’s really cool feature as it can help you get accurate code completions, explanations, and even automated test case setups according to your project’s context.
Cody runs on GPT-4 and Claude LLMs, and you can switch between them according to your needs.
Best For: Those who are working with large and complex codebases and need an AI assistant to make it easy to code by providing code suggestions, explanations, and integrations with their existing development tools Cody is the best tool.
12. Codiga
Codiga enhances your code quality and security without disrupting your workflow.
It offers real-time static code analysis directly within your IDE. You can use this to catch and fix issues instantly, rather than waiting for code reviews or CI/CD pipeline checks.
Codiga supports more than 12 programming languages and integrates with popular IDEs like VS Code, JetBrains, and Visual Studio.
It also works well with version control systems such as GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
I personally love its customizable rulesets feature. You can create and enforce coding as per your team’s needs, which enhances consistency and reduces technical debt.
OWASP Top 10 and CWE security analysis features of Codiga help you identify and address vulnerabilities in the development process.
So, Codiga is best for finding security vulnerabilities in your code.
Best For: If you and your team are looking for a comprehensive tool that integrates real-time code analysis, customizable rules, and security checks into your development workflow, then it is ideal for you.
13. Sourcery
If you’re seeking an AI coding tool to enhance your code quality and streamline the review process, Sourcery is the best assistant for you.
Like other tools, it integrates directly into your IDE, such as Visual Studio Codeand provides real-time feedback and suggestions during your coding process.
It can analyze your code to identify potential improvements.
It offers refactoring suggestions and makes your code more readable and maintainable.
It supports a huge list of 30 programming languages and integrates with GitHub and GitLab to review pull requests, highlight issues, and suggest enhancements.
The best thing is it doesn’t store your code, because its AI models are designed to respect your data’s confidentiality.
Best For: If you are aiming to improve code quality through AI-driven suggestions, then it’s an ideal solution for you.
14. Amazon SageMaker
Last but not least, Amazon Sagemaker is a comprehensive platform to build, train, and deploy models.
If you are in machine learning, then this is an ideal AI coding tool for you. It’s a fully managed service that streamlines your ML workflow and is ideal for both beginners and experienced developers.
SageMaker integrates with Amazon Q Developer within the SageMaker Studio Code Editor.
So, you will get generative AI assistance in this tool.
SageMaker also supports advanced code generation capabilities through large language models (LLMs) like Code Llama 70B and Mixtral 8x7B.
These models are capable of generating code from natural language prompts or existing code snippets.
You can use SageMaker Studio, a suite of tools for better ML development. SageMaker Canvas, a no-code interface, allows you to build ML models using a visual interface.
Best For: data scientists and developers who are looking for a comprehensive, fully managed platform to streamline the machine learning lifecycle. If you are one of those, then you must try this out.
Conclusion
If you’ve read it this far, you’ve now got a solid list of powerful AI coding tools that can totally transform how you code.
From smart autocomplete features to real-time bug detection and even the whole app generation, these tools really help you in your coding.
They don’t just help you write faster, but help you write better.
Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a learner (basic coder), these AI tools are here to suit your workflow and skill level.
But only when you think of them as collaborators who boost your productivity, creativity, and confidence.
You can choose the tools that align with your goals and stack, try them out, and build awesome stuff.
Happy coding!
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