Overview
chatGPT is a very popular innovation that revolutionized every industry. It has simplified the tasks of every user. Moreover, there are numerous AI tools developed specifically designed for a particular work. In this article, we will share some of the best ChatGPT alternatives for coding that every programmer should know about.
What is ChatGPT and Why Is It so Popular?
ChatGPT is a chatbot based on generative AI and developed by OpenAI. It can interact with humans in natural language and can generate output in different formats like text, audio, image, etc. The two main features of chatGPT are that, first; it can talk to you in your native language and second, it can help you in almost everything like content creation, graphic designing, coding and many more.
Nowadays, most programmers use chatGPT as their coding assistant. It has many features like code generation, suggestion, explanation and refactoring to enhance productivity. Despite being very useful, it has some limitations from a coding perspective. It is not specifically designed to help programmers in their coding tasks.
Therefore, you might be searching for an alternative. Below we share some prominent alternatives to ChatGPT for coding to ease out your workflow.
Best ChatGPT Alternatives for Coding
#1. GitHub Copilot:
GitHub Copilot is an “AI Pair Programmer” used by developers for coding purposes. It is an AI coding assistant which allows coders to write code easily and fastly. It provides numerous options such as context based suggestions and code generation. Along with that, it delivers task specific solutions to increase productivity. Also, you can integrate Github Copilot with your IDE for fast results.
Features –
- Github copilot provides you with relevant code suggestions in your IDE. So, if you are stuck with your coding, it offers the most appropriate solution.
- Copilot Chat enables you to interact with Copilot and get solutions to your queries. It can explain the logic of the code and provide better alternatives.
- It can be accessed with the command line, which helps you perform command-line tasks.
- Integration with an IDE delivers faster results. Along with that, Github mobile and Github website are also available.
- In Copilot Enterprise, you can create and manage a knowledge base, which is a collection of documentation to provide more context and get relevant results.
Limitations –
- Github Copilot may give false results when working with complex code. Also, it struggles with codes of less popular programming languages.
- Although it gives faster output, the code it generates might be tough to understand. It is mandatory to review the output because what it delivers is based on its training data.
- To efficiently work with Github copilot, you must have a good understanding of the coding. It is not for beginners or new programmers who use low code development platforms.
- When it comes to data privacy, copilot might generate codes which have loopholes and are susceptible to data breach. Therefore, data security and compliances is a big issue.
- It has some technical limitations such as it cannot handle large files, unable to manage tasks that require deep understanding of the topic.
#2. Zencoder:
Zencoder is an advanced AI coding partner capable of doing more than just code suggestions. It is based on the “Repo Grokkin” technology which analyzes and understands your complete codebase and delivers you with more relevant results.
Along with that, you can manage the workflow of your project by integrating Zencoder with IDEs, JIRA, Github and other platforms. Therefore, it is one of the most popular ChatGPT alternatives for coding.
Features –
- Its deep understanding of complete codebases such as APIs, architecture and convention enables it to provide improved and more suitable outputs.
- Using customizable Zen agents, you can automate repetitive tasks. These agents are tailored according to the specific requirement.
- Integration with tools like JIRA, Sentry, GitHub, and various IDEs helps you manage the workflow.
- Agentic Pipeline – AI repeats and evaluates its own code suggestions and repairs them to improve reliability.
Limitations –
- Although it has an advanced algorithm for code understanding, it faces challenges with an abstract or unusual codebase.
- You can only integrate Zencoder with limited platforms, and it is unable to collaborate with less popular tools.
- AI coding assistants provide faster results, but sometimes they compromise quality.
#3. Google Gemini
Google Gemini is an AI model developed by Google and integrated with Google Suite productivity tools. It is designed to analyze and generate types of data text, image, audio, video, etc. Along with that, it can generate codes, analyze and refactor them using Google search backed resources.
Features –
- It provides up to date information and with access to a huge pool of data. It generates relevant output.
- With its ability to analyze different data types, it can be used in almost every task such as code generation, content creation, graphic design, etc.
- Integration with Google Tools enables users to get real-time data driven output.
Limitation –
- Because of limited understanding of the context, sometimes it gives undesired results.
- Integration with products other than those of Google is quite difficult and sometimes not possible.
- Slow performance when working with complex queries makes it suitable only for simple tasks.
#4. Amazon CodeWhisperer
Amazon CodeWhisperer is another ChatGPT alternative for coding. It is an AI code generator and assistant that helps developers in swift coding. It provides code suggestions with explanations for better understanding. Amazon CodeWhisperer is ideal for those working with AWS cloud software. Moreover, it supports various programming languages and allows integration with numerous IDEs like JetBrains, Visual Studio Code, AWS Cloud9, etc.
Features –
- It provides code suggestions with explanations for better understanding of the concept.
- Automate repetitive tasks to enhance productivity.
- It allows integration with various IDEs and supports multiple programming languages.
- One of the most important features is its vulnerability scanning.
Limitations –
- Sometimes, it delivers irrelevant code suggestions for complex code.
- It has a huge dataset to refer to codes with context. However, the information may sometimes be outdated.
- Although it identifies possible security concerns in the code, it sometimes leaves some glitches.
#5. Tabnine:
It is one of the most popular alternatives to ChatGPT for coding. Tabnine supports 20+ languages and 15+ IDEs which makes it popular among users of different types of coding. It provides you with smart context based suggestions. As the deep learning AI model of Tabnine evaluates your coding style and projects. Moreover, it does not compromise with privacy and scan for any potential issues in the code.
Features –
- It provides relevant context-based code suggestions that enhance developer productivity.
- Compatible with a variety of programming languages like Python, Java, JS, PHP, etc. and IDEs to help different types of coding work that makes it a versatile option.
- It understands your coding style and provides the most optimal suggestion. Also, refactoring code to improve readability and eliminate potential risks.
- It creates documentation of the codebase.
Limitation –
- It is not a complete AI based code generator. It only provides suggestions for which you have to start writing code first.
- It slows down the system because of heavy processing. You may be unable to use other applications.
- It might be possible that it could not understand the context properly and deliver irrelevant results.
#6. Claude
Claude is a generative AI based on large language models. It can generate full snippets of code and provide suggestions for optimization. This alternative to ChatGPT allows you to question in natural language and provide coding help.
One of the prominent features which adds it among the list of ChatGPT alternatives for coding is that it provides clear explanations of code. Moreover, it supports multiple programming languages.
Features –
- Generate code and suggest enhancements.
- Clearly understand your code because of its large data pool, and come up with the most relevant output.
- Comprehend the query in the native language and deliver an explanation of the code.
- Supports multiple programming languages, which makes it a versatile coding assistant.
Limitation –
- Although it generates codes and explains their usage, a good grasp of coding concepts is required to work with it.
- Limited features in the free plan. You need to purchase the Pro plan to unlock most of the features.
#7. Windsurf:
Windsurf which is formerly known as “Codeium” is one of those AI coding assistants that emphasizes more on security and privacy rather than just code generation and suggestion. It can be integrated with various IDEs such as VS Code, Jupyter, Jetbrain, etc.
Moreover, it provides, in-editor chat and code refactoring for free. You need not purchase a premium plan for that. Along with that, one of the key features is that it does not use your code to train its model.
Features –
- Keep your data secure as if you do not use it for training models.
- Support multiple IDEs for efficient coding.
- It is a ChatGPT free alternative as it provides unlimited chatting and refactoring options.
- Fast auto-complete, code suggestion, documentation, and coding support within the IDE.
Limitations –
- It does not work optimally when handling large and complex code.
- Some users face speed issues and contextual misunderstanding in windsurf.
- Generated codes may have loopholes that pose potential risks.
Conclusion
There are many ChatGPT alternatives for coding available that you can use to simplify your programming tasks. You can choose any of them as per your requirement. Also, these AI tools for coding provide free plans that you can use to take a trial and check their features. These alternatives to chat gpt are specifically designed for programmers. Hence, they have more contextual understanding and generate better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ChatGPT alternatives for coding?
Some of the most popular alternatives to ChatGPT for coding are:
- Github Copilot
- Zencoder
- Google Gemini
- Amazon CodeWhisperer
- Tabnine
- Claude
- Windsurf
Is Claude AI more suitable for coding than ChatGPT?
Claude AI provides more context-based responses than ChatGPT. Also, it can generate code, provide suggestions, and explain the code. Moreover, you can interact with Claude AI in natural language.
Are there any websites like ChatGPT?
GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer are also available in web versions. So, instead of integrating them into your IDEs, you can simply visit the website.