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Continue

Open-source IDE extension focused on model flexibility and customizability. Works in both VS Code and JetBrains.

Editorial Score
3/5
Visit ContinueGitHub (20.0K)← All Tools
3/5
Editorial score
MCP SUPPORTED
Mode
Chat
IDE Support
VS Code, JetBrains
License
Open Source
Pricing
Free
MCP Support
Yes
Vendor
Continue Dev
Free (open source, BYOK)
// Key Numbers
32K+
GitHub stars
2.4M+
VS Code installs
$5.6M
Funding raised
Apache 2.0
License
$10/dev/mo
Team price
11K+
Discord members
// Our Verdict

The open-source IDE extension that focuses on model flexibility and customizability. Pivoting toward Continuous AI (PR checks).

Best for: Developers who want an open-source AI assistant in VS Code or JetBrains with full model control.
// Pricing
Solo (Open Source)
Free
Full IDE extension (VS Code + JetBrains), CLI for CI checks, BYOK model support, Apache 2.0 license
Team
$10/developer/mo
Centralised configuration, shared agents, secure secret management, team-wide model governance
Enterprise
Custom
SSO (SAML/OIDC), on-premises data plane, advanced governance, allow/block lists, priority support, self-hosting
// Our Assessment

Continue started as an open-source VS Code and JetBrains extension, but in mid-2025 the team pivoted. The core product is now Continuous AI: source-controlled checks that run on every PR via a CLI. Each check is a markdown file enforceable in CI and reviewable like code. The IDE extensions still work, but the strategic direction is quality enforcement, not interactive coding.

Model flexibility is the standout advantage. Continue ships with no model, you bring your own key from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Ollama, or any API endpoint. For regulated teams needing on-premise model routing, that flexibility is non-negotiable.

With 32K+ GitHub stars, 2.4M+ VS Code installs, and $5.6M in funding (YC + Heavybit), Continue has community weight. But the pivot means evaluators must decide: IDE extension (competing with Cline) or CI tool (competing with CodeRabbit). The two serve fundamentally different workflows.

// Ideal For
+Teams that want automated AI-powered code review checks running on every pull request with full model control
+Organisations in regulated industries that need BYOK and on-premise model routing, no vendor lock-in
+Engineering teams using both VS Code and JetBrains who want a single AI tool across IDEs
+Teams that want CI-enforceable coding standards managed as version-controlled markdown files
// Not Ideal For
Developers seeking a primary interactive coding agent, the IDE extension is functional but the team's focus has shifted to CI enforcement
Solo developers who want a batteries-included experience (Continue requires you to source and configure your own model)
Teams looking for autonomous task execution, Continue is closer to structured review than agentic coding
// Strengths
+Open source with Apache 2.0 license
+Works in both VS Code and JetBrains
+Highly configurable, custom prompts, model routing, context providers
+Strong local model support via Ollama and LM Studio
// Weaknesses
Less agentic than Cline, more chat-focused
Smaller community than Cline (20K vs 60K stars)
Configuration complexity can overwhelm new users
Enterprise features limited
// Models Supported
ClaudeGPTGeminiOllamaLM StudioAny OpenAI-compatible
// Related Comparisons
Cline vs Aider vs Continue
Three open-source tools, three philosophies, agentic, git-first, and CI enforcement
Cursor vs Google Antigravity
How Continue's BYOK model compares to locked-in IDE experiences
Agentic vs Autocomplete AI Coding
Where Continue's CI-enforcement approach fits in the broader AI coding landscape
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