Best AI Code tools

The strongest AI code editor available. Cursor combines a familiar VS Code foundation with deeply integrated AI that genuinely accelerates development. Multi-file edits, codebase-aware context, and inline chat set it apart from bolt-on copilot extensions.

The most widely adopted AI coding assistant, with strong editor support and reliable inline completions. GitHub Copilot does not push boundaries the way dedicated AI editors do, but it works well inside the tools you already use and keeps improving steadily.

Windsurf is a capable AI code editor that competes directly with Cursor. Its agentic Cascade feature can handle multi-step tasks autonomously, though the execution is not always reliable. A strong free tier makes it worth trying, but it has not yet matched Cursor's consistency.

Tabnine carved out a niche by prioritizing code privacy and on-premises deployment. The completions are competent but noticeably behind Copilot and Cursor in quality. Best suited for enterprises with strict data policies that rule out cloud-based alternatives.

Amazon Q Developer is purpose-built for AWS workflows. If you live in the AWS ecosystem, it offers unique capabilities around infrastructure code, Java modernization, and security scanning that no competitor matches. Outside of AWS, it is a below-average general coding assistant.