Programming can be a demanding and time-consuming task. One of the biggest challenges you face as a programmer is debugging code. Instead of spending hours figuring out what went wrong, you can use AI tools to identify issues and suggest fixes. These tools let you handle repetitive coding tasks more efficiently.
For many programmers, AI tools have become a valuable companion, alongside community forums, colleague help, and mentor guidance.
The great thing about AI for programming is that it’s helpful for everyone—whether you’re just starting or you’re an experienced programmer.
With AI, you can generate complete code snippets from prompts or comments, auto-complete lines of code, detect errors, and fix bugs.
There are many AI tools for programming out there, but I’ve narrowed it down to the top 7 best AI for programming you should try. In this article, I’ll also highlight their key features and pricing to help you make a good decision.
Key takeaways
- AI tools help you save time and stay productive. These tools serve as valuable companions alongside community forums and mentors
- AI for programming is beneficial for both beginners and experienced developers
- Many top AI tools for programming offer features like error detection, code suggestions, auto-completion, and documentation generation
- While AI tools are beneficial, always review and test the code to ensure quality and security
AI in programming
AI for programming is a coding assistant that uses artificial intelligence to help you write code faster and potentially more accurately. So, as a programmer, the tools in this article are among the best AI options for coding.
These tools have key features that make them incredibly appealing to programmers like you:
Code suggestions and auto-completion
This feature speeds up the coding process. AI tools for programmers can suggest code snippets or complete lines of code for you by analyzing the context of your current work and referencing your previous code.
Error detection and debugging
Every programmer has encountered that one bug that takes more time to debug than it took to write the code. With AI tools, you can detect errors and receive suggestions for fixing them.
Techpoint Africa news delivered to your inbox
Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts. 100% free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Code refactoring
Writing functional code is one thing; ensuring that code is maintainable is another. If you want to improve your code later, AI can suggest optimizations to make it more efficient and maintainable. It can help you restructure or optimize algorithms.
Documentation generation
If you work with a team or in an organization that requires documentation, you know how tedious this task can be. AI tools can generate comments and documentation for your code, making this process much easier.
7 best AI for programming
- Aider
- Cursor
- Replit
- Microsoft IntelliCode
- Amazon CodeWhisperer (Amazon Q Developer)
- GitHub Copilot
- AskCodi
| Best AI for programming | Key features | Billing |
| Aider | Can work with Claude 3.5 Sonnet, DeepSeek V3, o1, and GPT-4oWorks with your local Git repository Supports popular languages like Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, HTML, and CSSAutomates Git commits for code changesAdd images and URLs to the chatEnables voice coding | Not defined |
| Cursor | Cursor Tab for AI auto-complete and suggestionsCode modification and error fixing Cursor Chat for codebase questions and solutionsCommit message generation ComposerDevelopment environment (IDE) personalization | Cursor offers a free plan and a Pro plan starting at $20/month |
| Replit | Replit Agent to build applications from scratchCode suggestions for code recommendations as you writeCode explainer Understand for step-by-step walkthroughsEdit and rewrite codeAI Assistant for chat and coding-related answers | Core subscribers get $25 in monthly credits, while Teams subscribers receive $40 in monthly credits per user |
| Microsoft IntelliCode | Code Completion Offers suggestions by analyzing open-source projectsCustomizable suggestions that allow you to add your own methods and codebase properties Suggests common coding tasks like generating constructors or adding parameters | IntelliCode is available in Visual Studio 2022 and for use with Visual Studio Code |
| Amazon CodeWhisperer (Amazon Q Developer) | Generate code suggestions and recommendations Identify and address errors in your code Run unit tests from your IDE terminalMulti-language Support | You can start with the free tier, and the Amazon Q Developer Pro Tier costs $19/month per user |
| GitHub Copilot | Code suggestions and autocomplete AI Chat Documentation management GitHub Copilot ExtensionsCode reviews Administrator-specific features for team management | You can choose the GitHub Copilot free plan, Copilot Pro for $10/month, or business options like Copilot Business and Copilot Enterprise |
| AskCodi | Code generator, refactor, and fixer Language translator Makefile generator and SQL and NoSQL query composer Regex pattern creator Bug detector Code explainer, reviewer, and documentation generator Commit message creator | Seven-day free trial, and premium plans start at $14.99/month |
1. Aider
Aider is an AI-powered programming tool that helps you collaborate with large language models (LLMs) to edit code directly in your local Git repository.
You can start a new project or work with an existing codebase. Aider works best with Claude 3.5 Sonnet, DeepSeek V3, o1, and GPT-4o.
To use Aider, you run it with the files you want to edit. You can request changes, like adding new features or test cases. It can also help you describe bugs, paste error messages, refactor code, and provide documentation.
Aider can also automate Git commits. You can use Aider with popular programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, HTML, and CSS. You can add images or URLs to the chat for Aider to analyze their content. The tool also supports voice coding, letting you code using voice inputs.
For efficient file management, include only the files that need modification. Avoid adding unnecessary files and create new files before making changes. Use the `/drop` and the `/add` commands to dynamically manage files. For complex tasks, break them into smaller steps for better results.
Billing: Not defined.
Key features of Aider:
- AI pair programming with LLMs like Claude 3.5 Sonnet, DeepSeek V3, o1, and GPT-4o
- Works with your local Git repository
- Supports popular languages like Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, HTML, and CSS
- Automates Git commits for code changes
- Allows you to add images and URLs to the chat
- Enables voice coding
2. Cursor
Cursor offers a Cursor Tab feature, which serves as its AI autocomplete tool. With the Cursor Tab, you can get code suggestions to help you make edits and insert additional code.
Cursor Chat acts as an AI coding assistant, allowing you to ask questions or solve problems within your codebase. It provides helpful context during chats by automatically including details from your entire codebase, searching the web, indexing documentation, and using references you specify.
You can also generate commit messages for your staged files. Cursor also features Composer, an AI coding assistant that helps you explore code, write new features, and update existing ones.
Its IDE settings let you personalize your experience with the tool. You can import your VS Code settings, write custom rules for AI, configure editor settings, and manage your privacy preferences.
Billing: Cursor offers a free plan and a Pro plan starting at $20/month.
Key features of Cursor:
- Cursor Tab for AI auto-complete and suggestions
- Code modification and error fixing
- Cursor Chat for codebase questions and solutions
- Commit message generation
- Composer
- Development environment (IDE) personalization
3. Replit
Replit AI offers several tools, like Replit Agent and Assistant, to make programming easier for you. Replit Agent helps you build applications from scratch. When you prompt it, it uses public code training to understand your needs.
Replit’s AI tools also provide code suggestions based on the context of what you’re typing. They can even explain code with step-by-step walkthroughs to help you understand it better.
Another feature is the ability to edit and rewrite code blocks. Like most tools, Replit AI also includes an AI assistant for chat, helping you answer coding-related questions.
Billing: As a Core subscriber, you get $25 in monthly credits, while Teams subscribers receive $40 in monthly credits per user. These credits automatically apply to Agent, Advanced Assistant usage, and other Replit cloud services.
Key features of Replit:
- Replit Agent to build applications from scratch
- Code suggestions for code recommendations as you write
- Code explainer Understand for step-by-step walkthroughs
- Edit and rewrite code
- AI Assistant for chat and coding-related answers
4. IntelliCode
Microsoft IntelliCode helps you write code by offering code completions that can fill in entire lines. The AI analyzes your code context and gives you relevant suggestions.
You can also get recommendations based on IntelliCode’s analysis of open-source projects on GitHub. For some programming languages, you can even customize IntelliCode to include your own methods and codebase properties.
IntelliCode detects repetition in your code, so when you make a local edit, it identifies similar patterns and helps you make changes in variable names or other repetitive elements.
You’ll also benefit from IntelliCode’s ability to recognize common coding tasks and recommend quick actions. For instance, it supports actions like generating a constructor or adding a parameter to an existing constructor.
Billing: IntelliCode is available in Visual Studio 2022 and for use with Visual Studio Code.
Key features of IntelliCode:
- Code Completion
- Offers suggestions by analyzing open-source projects
- Customizable suggestions that allow you to add your own methods and codebase properties
- Suggests common coding tasks like generating constructors or adding parameters
5. Amazon CodeWhisperer and Amazon Q Developer
Amazon CodeWhisperer helps you generate code recommendations and suggestions based on natural language comments and code within your development environment (IDE).
These suggestions range from single lines of code to fully formed functions. You can use CodeWhisperer to scan your code and identify errors or issues. Additionally, you can run unit tests directly from the terminal in the same development environment where you wrote the code.
CodeWhisperer supports multiple programming languages, including Java, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, C#, Go, PHP, Rust, Kotlin, and SQL.
Now, all of CodeWhisperer’s features have become a part of Amazon Q Developer. Amazon Q Developer is a generative AI conversational assistant designed for building and managing applications. Once you migrate, you’ll gain access to Amazon Q Developer features.
Billing: You can start with the free tier, and the Amazon Q Developer Pro Tier costs $19/month per user.
Key features of Amazon CodeWhisperer:
- Generate code suggestions and recommendations
- Identify and address errors in your code
- Run unit tests from your IDE terminal
- Multi-language Support
6. GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant that offers code suggestions as you type in your development environment. The AI Chat feature lets you ask coding-related questions and get assistance when you need it. You can also generate detailed descriptions of the changes made in pull requests. Copilot Workspace helps you refine your pull requests, validate changes, and incorporate reviewer feedback.
You can also create and manage documentation. You can use the tool in your IDE, GitHub Mobile, GitHub’s website, Windows Terminal Canary, the Terminal Chat interface, or even on the command line through the GitHub CLI.
GitHub Copilot’s code completion feature offers autocomplete style suggestions. You also gain access to GitHub Copilot Extensions, which allow external tools to integrate with GitHub Copilot Chat.
Billing: You can choose the GitHub Copilot free plan, Copilot Pro for $10/month, or business options like Copilot Business and Copilot Enterprise.
Key features of GitHub Copilot:
- Code suggestions and autocomplete
- AI Chat for coding-related questions and assistance
- Copilot Workspace
- Documentation management
- GitHub Copilot Extensions
- Code reviews
- Administrator-specific features for team management
7. AskCodi
Like most other tools, AskCodi offers a code generator that generates code for various programming languages and a code refactor that helps you refactor existing codebases. It also includes a code fixer to address errors in your code.
You can use its language translator to convert code between different programming languages. It also allows you to generate Makefiles and compose SQL and NoSQL queries.
With AskCodi, you can create regex patterns for advanced text processing and validation tasks. You can also automate the creation of unit tests for your code.
Other standout features include a bug detector that scans your code to identify and suggest fixes and a code explainer that provides clear, detailed explanations of your code.
You can also use AskCodi to review your code, generate documentation, and create commit messages.
Billing: It comes with a seven-day free trial, and premium plans start at $14.99/month.
Key features of AskCodi:
- Code generator, refactor, and fixer
- Language translator
- Makefile generator and SQL and NoSQL query composer
- Regex pattern creator
- Bug detector
- Code explainer, reviewer, and documentation generator
- Commit message creator
Benefits of using AI for programming
- AI coding tools help you save time by automating repetitive tasks like code generation, code review, and refactoring
- You can use these tools to detect vulnerabilities and bugs
- AI coding tools support multiple programming languages and frameworks, making them useful across a variety of projects
- These tools assist you in understanding new frameworks, concepts, and programming languages with features like code explainers and AI chat
FAQs about best AI for programming
What is the best AI for programming?
The best AI for programming depends on your needs. You can explore some of the top options featured in this article, including GitHub Copilot, Replit, and Amazon CodeWhisperer (Amazon Q Developer).
What is the best free chat AI for programming?
You can try the free plan of the tools listed in this article.
Can AI tools debug programming code?
Yes, many AI tools can debug code. Debugging is a common feature in most of these tools.
How do AI tools support beginner programmers?
AI tools support you as a beginner by offering code suggestions and autocomplete features. They also explain coding concepts and help you debug codes.
Are AI programming tools reliable for complex projects?
AI tools can assist you with complex projects, but their reliability depends on the specific tasks you need to complete.
Conclusion
Using any of the best AI for programming can help you save time and stay productive, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced programmer. While these tools offer enormous benefits, don’t overlook their shortcomings. The output may not always meet high standards, as it can include unnecessary lines of code. Even though they may be functional, they might not always be efficient.
Also, don’t become too reliant on these tools and risk stunting your coding skills and abilities.
At the end of the day, AI-generated output still requires you to perform thorough reviews and testing.
Make sure to read the platform’s terms to ensure privacy and that your code is safe when integrating the tools into your IDE or using the platform itself.
DISCLAIMER!
“This publication, review, or article (“Content”) is based on our independent evaluation and is subjective, reflecting our opinions, which may differ from others’ perspectives or experiences. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the Content and disclaim responsibility for any errors or omissions it may contain.
The information provided is not investment advice and should not be treated as such, as products or services may change after publication. By engaging with our Content, you acknowledge its subjective nature and agree not to hold us liable for any losses or damages arising from your reliance on the information provided.
Always conduct your own research and consult professionals where necessary.
