7 AI Coding Assistants Every Developer Should Try in 2025
Analytics India Magazine (Ankush Das)
Before AI, coders or programmers relied on tools like auto-complete or simply online research to write code faster or fast-track their way to finishing projects.
The presence of AI coding assistants, however, has changed the way programmers interact with code, including the pace of their work. For better or worse, AI-powered assistants introduced as standalone products or within IDEs are likely here to stay.
To make the most out of it, it’s essential to experiment with the best AI coding assistants out there to decide what’s best for your work or organisation.
Like every AI tool available, the code generated by an AI coding assistant should be thoroughly reviewed before using it in production.
Let’s take a look at seven AI coding assistants that are shaping how developers build software in 2025.
1. GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot remains one of the most widely adopted coding companions, working alongside code editors like VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and even the terminal. Its popularity can be easily attributed to its integration by Microsoft into various products.
While the AI coding tools briefly took the spotlight, VS Code’s push for GitHub Copilot and its new agent mode may have brought it back to the game, with many developers swearing by it.
It’s less of an autocomplete tool now and more like a teammate who never sleeps, though it still remains one whose suggestions must be reviewed.
2. Amazon Q Developer
While Amazon Q Developer may not be making headlines every day, it offers an interesting experience paired with Amazon’s agentic IDE, Kiro AI.
Amazon Q Developer can be an ideal solution for developers who prefer to stay within the AWS ecosystem. However, it is also available for use within popular IDEs such as VS Code, JetBrains and Eclipse.
Amazon Q Developer is the evolution of AWS’s CodeWhisperer and has rapidly become a favourite in enterprise and cloud-native contexts. With Kiro AI, the code assistant offers agentic capabilities that cover the whole software lifecycle, which includes writing code, reviewing, refactoring, and even managing infrastructure through AWS.
3. Gemini Code Assist
Gemini Code Assist has gained traction for its strong reasoning and multimodal capabilities. It is free to use for individual developers and supports various IDEs, including VS Code, as well as platforms like GitHub.
When writing this, the GitHub integration is limited to the Enterprise subscribers. One can check Google’s Gemini Code Assist product page to see if more platforms have been added to individual developers.
Gemini CLI access is also part of the assistant, allowing users to request help while working through the terminal without needing a separate code editor. The CLI also offers a free tier for developers.
Still, being relatively new compared to some rivals, it has gained good traction to receive recommendations from developers around the world.
4. Windsurf
Windsurf positions itself as an ‘AI-native IDE’ and coding assistant that deeply understands your project, not just individual files.
Its ‘Cascade’ agent logic claims full repo context, lint integration, previews and deployment all inside the IDE. The startup’s leadership moved to Google DeepMind instead, which is when Cognition (the creators behind another AI coding assistant, Devin) acquired it.
For developers who want an AI-heavy IDE and prioritise flow state, Windsurf offers an interesting alternative. However, given the shifting business landscape, one should watch how the product ecosystem evolves.
5. Claude Code
Claude Code by Anthropic was one of the first to get the attention of developers who work using a terminal. Later, the offering was expanded to IDEs and is now available on the web. It may be impossible to exclude Claude Code and write a list of the best AI coding assistants, which could reflect its importance in the developer ecosystem.
It understands whole codebases, integrates with GitHub/GitLab, works from the command line and supports custom hooks and configuration. Designed to automate repetitive development tasks and speed up coding workflows, Claude Code is enterprise-ready with built‐in security, privacy and compliance.
6. Cline
Cline is a strong open-source coding agent that focuses on transparency, enterprise compliance and complete control of workflow.
It offers a ‘Plan Mode’ for complex tasks where it first builds a step-by-step plan and then executes changes. For teams worried about data sovereignty, model transparency or auditability, Cline presents a compelling choice. The trade-off is that open-source or self-hosted tools may require more setup or maintenance than plug-and-play commercial solutions.
However, if one wants more control over which AI model to choose for their requirements, Cline should come in handy.
7. Devin by Cognition Labs
Devin is one of the boldest on the list. More than a suggestion tool, it’s pitched as an “AI software engineer” that can manage tasks end-to-end from ticket to commit.
While Devin receives less direct public documentation than some others, it is featured in industry listings of “agentic coding assistants” as part of the next wave. For teams ready to experiment with high-autonomy agents, Devin is worth a look. However, for organisations requiring mature support and predictable outcomes, caution may be warranted.
The Future is Pair-Programming with AI
2025’s coding landscape proves one thing: AI assistants are no longer just productivity tools; they’re creative partners. The next challenge isn’t getting the AI to code better, but teaching developers how to collaborate with it.
While agentic coding may not be entirely promising, AI-powered code workflows will likely be everywhere in the near future.
(Note: The following list is not ranked in any particular order.)
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