Roo Code vs Continue

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool

Roo Code

🔴Developer

AI Coding Assistant

Discontinued VS Code coding agent (shut down May 15, 2026). Known for custom "modes," per-mode MCP allow-lists, and Boomerang sub-agent tasks. Migrate to ZooCode or Cline.

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Starting Price

Custom

Continue

🔴Developer

AI Coding Assistant

Open-source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains — bring your own models, curate a shared block library, ship as an internal platform.

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Starting Price

Custom

Feature Comparison

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FeatureRoo CodeContinue
CategoryAI Coding AssistantAI Coding Assistant
Pricing Plans210 tiers36 tiers
Starting Price
Key Features
  • Custom "modes": Architect, Code, Ask, Debug, and custom roles with per-mode system prompts
  • Per-mode MCP server allow-lists (Debug can call DevTools, Ask cannot)
  • In-editor MCP marketplace and server templates
  • Multi-model AI support including OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, and local models
  • Native IDE extensions for VS Code and JetBrains with smooth workflow integration
  • MCP server connectivity for development toolchain integration

Roo Code - Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Open Apache 2.0 source is preserved — the interesting ideas (modes, per-mode MCP, Boomerang) live on
  • Historical proof point for per-mode agent design that successor tools are now adopting
  • BYOK meant no vendor lock-in for anyone who used it
  • Aggressive MCP support led the industry in the 2025–2026 window
  • Migration path is clear: ZooCode is a near drop-in replacement

Cons

  • No longer maintained — do not adopt for new work in mid-2026 or later
  • No official support channel beyond billing questions
  • Any bugs, security issues, or breaking VS Code API changes will not be fixed by Roo Code, Inc.
  • Community forks (ZooCode) inherit a large codebase that has to be understood before it can be extended
  • Anyone with an active Enterprise contract needs a migration plan immediately

Continue - Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Truly BYOK across 15+ providers — nothing is hard-wired to a single vendor
  • Apache 2.0 core makes procurement trivial for regulated enterprises
  • Continue Hub lets platform teams ship a standard assistant to every developer
  • First-class MCP client so team MCP servers become instantly reusable
  • Works in both VS Code and JetBrains — one config across polyglot teams

Cons

  • You are responsible for choosing and paying providers — no all-in-one price
  • Autocomplete quality depends heavily on which model you route to
  • Agent mode is competent but less aggressive than Cursor Composer or Cascade
  • Hub adoption still evolving; block ecosystem smaller than closed marketplaces
  • Teams tier pricing is not published — expect a sales conversation for real orgs

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