Roo Code vs Continue AI Coding Assistant
Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool
Roo Code
🔴DeveloperAI 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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CustomContinue AI Coding Assistant
🔴DeveloperAI 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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CustomFeature Comparison
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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- ✗No longer maintained — do not adopt for new work in mid-2026 or later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 AI Coding Assistant - Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Apache 2.0 core allows inspection and customization
- ✓Works in both VS Code and JetBrains with bring-your-own models
- ✓Continue Hub can distribute shared rules, prompts, documentation, and MCP blocks
Cons
- ✗A customizable setup takes more work than a fixed bundled assistant
- ✗Teams remain responsible for model security, cost, and output quality
- ✗Paid team seat pricing is not stated in the staging evidence
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