AI Coding Assistants · Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Choose Sourcegraph Cody if you need an AI assistant with deep, cross-repository context for large, complex codebases. Choose Continue if you prioritize data privacy, open-source flexibility, and a free, locally-run assistant within VS Code.
Sourcegraph Cody and Continue are both AI coding assistants that integrate with the IDE, but they differ fundamentally in architecture and philosophy. Cody is a cloud-based, paid service that excels at providing context-aware answers by indexing entire, often multiple, codebases. Continue is a free, open-source extension that runs locally, giving users full control over their AI model choice and data. This makes Cody a powerful tool for teams needing broad contextual understanding, while Continue caters to individuals who value privacy and customization.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Sourcegraph Cody | Continue |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $9/month per user | Free and open-source |
| Ease of Use | Managed service, quick setup for cloud-indexed repos | Requires initial model/API key configuration, then seamless |
| Scalability | Excellent for large, multi-repo codebases with cloud indexing | Scales with local machine/resources, best for single repos |
| Integrations | Deep integration with Sourcegraph for code search, cloud context | VS Code-native, extensible with custom scripts and models |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Best For | Teams needing deep, cross-repository AI context | Individuals prioritizing privacy, control, and open-source tools |
Choose Sourcegraph Cody if...
Sourcegraph Cody is the better choice for engineering teams working across large, interconnected, or legacy codebases where understanding the full project context is critical. Its ability to index and search an entire codebase provides more accurate and relevant code suggestions and explanations. The paid model also comes with dedicated support and a managed service, reducing setup complexity for teams.
Choose Continue if...
Continue is the better choice for developers who require maximum data privacy and want to run an AI model entirely on their local machine or via their own API keys. Its open-source nature and extensibility make it ideal for tinkerers who wish to customize their workflow or integrate specific models. Being free and deeply integrated into VS Code, it's perfect for individual developers seeking a powerful, private assistant without subscription costs.
Product Details
Sourcegraph Cody
An AI coding assistant that uses context from your entire codebase to write, fix, and explain code.
Pricing
$9/mo
Best For
Developers and engineering teams working on large, complex, or multiple codebases who need an AI assistant with deep, contextual understanding of their entire code.
Key Features
Pros
- + Superior contextual awareness from indexing the entire codebase
- + Powerful 'command' feature for specific codebase actions
- + Strong integration with existing Sourcegraph platform for enterprise users
Cons
- - Full power requires a Sourcegraph instance or Cody App setup
- - Can be resource-intensive to index large repositories locally
- - Free tier has limited usage compared to paid plans
Continue
An open-source, VS Code-native AI coding assistant that helps developers write, refactor, and understand code in their local environment.
Pricing
Free
Best For
Developers who prioritize data privacy, want control over their AI model choice, and prefer an extensible, open-source tool integrated into their local IDE workflow.
Key Features
Pros
- + Completely free and open-source with a permissive license
- + Strong focus on privacy with local execution options
- + Highly extensible and configurable for advanced users
Cons
- - Requires more setup and configuration than out-of-the-box SaaS tools
- - Performance depends on the user's chosen model and hardware
- - Smaller team and community compared to major commercial competitors