Stay free if you only need full vs code and jetbrains ide extension and multi-model support (openai, anthropic, google, ollama). Upgrade if you need everything in team tier and sso and advanced access controls. Most solo builders can start free.
Why it matters: Requires more setup compared to turnkey alternatives like Cursor or GitHub Copilot
Available from: Continuous AI Team
Why it matters: Team features require paid Continue Hub subscription at $20/seat/month
Available from: Continuous AI Team
Why it matters: Local model setup needs technical knowledge of inference servers and GPU configuration
Available from: Continuous AI Team
Why it matters: Agent capabilities are newer and less polished than competing solutions
Available from: Continuous AI Team
Why it matters: Connect to your existing tools and automate workflows. Essential for scaling operations.
Available from: Continuous AI Team
Yes, the open-source Continue extension is free to install and use with your own API keys. You only pay for the AI model usage through your chosen providers (OpenAI, Claude, etc.) or use free local models via Ollama.
Continue offers more model flexibility and privacy options through open-source architecture, while Cursor and Copilot provide more polished out-of-the-box experiences. Continue requires more setup but offers greater customization and vendor independence.
Yes, Continue supports local models through Ollama integration, allowing you to run AI coding assistance entirely on your hardware without sending any code to external servers, ideal for privacy-sensitive environments.
Continue offers native extensions for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.) with full feature parity including chat, autocomplete, and agent capabilities.
Start with the free plan — upgrade when you need more.
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Last verified March 2026