Best AI coding tools

There is no single best AI coding tool. GitHub Copilot suits developers who want help inside the editor they already use, Cursor is an AI-first code editor, Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex are coding agents that work across a whole project, and Replit builds and launches apps from a description in the browser. Most have a free way to try them.

Three kinds of AI coding tool

AI coding tools fall into three groups. Assistants that suggest code as you type and answer questions in a chat panel. Agents that read your project, make changes across many files and run commands and tests. And app builders that turn a plain-language description into a working app without you touching the code. Many products now do more than one.

Five well-known options

• GitHub Copilot: code completion, chat and an agent mode inside editors such as VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs and Xcode, plus a command-line tool and code review. GitHub offers a free plan with monthly limits.
• Cursor: an AI code editor with tab completion and agents that can plan, build and test features. It works with models from several AI companies and has a free Hobby plan with limited agent requests.
• Claude Code: Anthropic’s coding agent. It reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands and works with Git, in the terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, a desktop app, the web and Slack. It is included in Claude’s paid plans.
• Codex: OpenAI’s coding agent, which can explore code, build features, review changes and fix issues. OpenAI says it is included in every ChatGPT plan, with the web, command-line and editor versions starting from the Plus plan.
• Replit: describe an app in plain language, then build and launch it in the browser. Useful when you want a working tool rather than a codebase to maintain.

Good for, watch out for

Where Kahu fitsKahu AssistKahu Assist is an AI agent that runs your website, marketing, bookings and follow-ups from one chat, and asks before anything goes live. You keep the yes; it does the typing.Connects to your site, WhatsApp, calendar and emailAsks before anything goes liveSet up from one 15-minute chatSee Kahu Assist →Fill Thursday’s empty slots and let the cafe know the new brunch hours.Kahu · 3 actions readyTwo Thursday gaps at 11:00 and 14:30. Drafted messages to 6 waitlisted customers.Updated the hours on your site and Google profile to Sat–Sun 8–2.One post about the new hours, using your Sunday counter photo.ChangeApprove all

How to choose

1. 1Start from who is codingA developer wants help in their editor. An owner with no coding background is better served by an app builder or by hiring someone who uses these tools.
2. 2Try two on a real taskUse the free plan or trial on a small job from your actual project, not a demo.
3. 3Check data handlingRead how each tool treats your code and whether business plans keep it out of training.
4. 4Keep review in placeWhatever you choose, a person reads and tests the change before it goes live.

Frequently asked questions