AI ToolsNew
Continue
The open-source AI code assistant that works with any LLM
Reviewed by VantageLabs Editorial Research Team
Coverage area: AI Tools & Productivity
Disclosure:This review may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, VantageLabs may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our editorial scores are never influenced by commercial relationships. Learn more
Overview
Continue is an open-source AI coding assistant for VS Code and JetBrains that connects to any model — GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, or a self-hosted Llama via Ollama. Unlike Copilot or Cursor, Continue gives developers complete control: choose your LLM provider, keep code entirely on-premise, and customise every behaviour via config file. The ultimate tool for privacy-first or enterprise teams with specific compliance requirements.
Best For
Privacy-conscious developersEnterprise teamsOpen-source enthusiastsLocal AI builders
Key Features
- Connect to any LLM — OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or local Ollama
- VS Code and JetBrains plugins
- Inline editing, chat, and autocomplete in one tool
- Custom slash commands and context providers
- Self-hostable — no data leaves your network
Pros
- Completely open source and free forever
- Model-agnostic — swap any provider at any time
- Full data privacy with local models
- Highly customisable via simple config file
Cons
- Requires more setup than Copilot or Cursor
- Quality and speed depend entirely on the chosen model
codingopen-sourceIDElocal LLMVS Codeprivacyself-hosted
Not sure yet?
Compare Continue vs GitHub Copilot
See comparison
Editorial Score
4.3
VantageLabs editorial score
Our Promise
Score never influenced by affiliate relationships
30-day minimum hands-on testing
Published, consistent scoring criteria
Editorial standards →Popular Comparisons
Head-to-head
Compare with Alternatives
Same category
Alternatives to Consider
From our editors
Related Guides
AI Tools
The 15 Best AI Tools in 2026: Tested & Ranked by Our Editorial Team
14 min readJanuary 15, 2026
AI Tools
Claude vs ChatGPT for Developers: A 2026 Hands-On Comparison
10 min readJanuary 22, 2026
AI Tools
Best AI Coding Assistants in 2026: GitHub Copilot vs Cursor vs Codeium — Ranked
11 min readFebruary 1, 2026