Alternatives · Coding

Zed alternatives

The closest alternatives to Zed are Cursor, Claude Code and GitHub Copilot, which also cover writing code with AI and reviewing pull requests. 12 of the 15 listed here can be used for free, including Cursor and GitHub Copilot. The lowest paid plan starts at $8 per month (Cursor).

Alternatives
15
Free options
12
Updated
Nov 2026

Closest first: ordered by how many of Zed's tasks each tool shares, then by popularity.

  1. 1

    CursorVerifiedFree tier · from $8/mo

    An AI code editor and coding agent that helps developers plan, write, fix, and review code.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    Web · Mac · Command line · IDE

  2. 2

    Claude CodePay as you go

    Terminal-based agentic coding tool from Anthropic that reads a codebase, edits files and runs commands to complete tasks end to end.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    Command line · Mac · Windows · Linux

  3. 3

    GitHub CopilotVerifiedFree tier · from $10/mo

    An AI coding agent for developers and teams, built into GitHub, IDEs, the terminal, and the web.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    Web · IDE · Command line

  4. 4

    DevinVerifiedFree tier · from $20/mo

    Autonomous coding agent that plans, writes, and tests code, then opens a merge-ready pull request.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    Command line

  5. 5

    AiderVerifiedOpen source

    AI pair programming in your terminal that edits code in your local git repo and commits the changes.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    Command line · Mac · Windows · Linux

  6. 6

    OpenAI CodexPay as you go

    Cloud-based agentic coding agent from OpenAI that clones a repository, writes code and opens pull requests autonomously.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    Web · API

  7. 7

    JetBrains AI AssistantFree trial · from $10/mo

    AI coding assistant built natively into JetBrains IDEs for code completion, chat, documentation and test generation.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    IDE

  8. 8

    Amazon Q DeveloperVerifiedFree tier · from $19/mo

    A coding assistant from AWS with IDE and CLI suggestions, chat, and agentic tasks for developers.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    IDE · Command line · iOS · Android

  9. 9

    ClineOpen source

    Open-source VS Code extension that gives Claude, GPT-4 and other models agentic access to your files, terminal and browser.

    Also does:Writing code with AIReviewing pull requests

    IDE

  10. 10

    ChatGPTFree tier · from $8/mo

    OpenAI's AI assistant for questions, writing, coding and research, with a free tier and paid plans for more capable models.

    Also does:Writing code with AI

    Web · iOS · Android · API

  11. 11

    ClaudeFree tier · from $20/mo

    Anthropic's AI assistant with a long context window, nuanced reasoning and strong performance on writing and analysis.

    Also does:Writing code with AI

    Web · iOS · Android · API

  12. 12

    DeepSeekFree

    DeepSeek's free AI assistant with strong reasoning and coding capabilities, available on the web and mobile.

    Also does:Writing code with AI

    Web · iOS · Android · API

  13. 13

    ReplitFree tier · from $20/mo

    Browser-based coding environment with an AI agent that builds, runs and deploys full-stack applications from a written description.

    Also does:Writing code with AI

    Web · iOS · Android

  14. 14

    v0VerifiedFree tier · from $30/mo

    Builds working web apps from written prompts and publishes them as live sites for teams and solo builders.

    Also does:Writing code with AI

    iOS

  15. 15

    Bolt.newVerifiedFree tier · from $25/mo

    Build apps and websites by chatting with AI, for product managers, founders, marketers, and other builders.

    Also does:Writing code with AI

    Web

At a glance

ToolPricingFreePlatformsAPIChecked
ZedFree tier · from $10/moYesMac, LinuxNo—
CursorFree tier · from $8/moYesWeb, Mac, Command line, IDEYesNov 3, 2026
Claude CodePay as you goNoCommand line, Mac, Windows, LinuxYes—
GitHub CopilotFree tier · from $10/moYesWeb, IDE, Command lineNoNov 3, 2026
DevinFree tier · from $20/moYesCommand lineYesNov 4, 2026
AiderOpen sourceYesCommand line, Mac, Windows, LinuxNoNov 4, 2026
OpenAI CodexPay as you goNoWeb, APIYes—
JetBrains AI AssistantFree trial · from $10/moNoIDENo—
Amazon Q DeveloperFree tier · from $19/moYesIDE, Command line, iOS, AndroidYesNov 4, 2026
ClineOpen sourceYesIDENo—
ChatGPTFree tier · from $8/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, APIYes—
ClaudeFree tier · from $20/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, APIYes—
DeepSeekFreeYesWeb, iOS, Android, APIYes—
ReplitFree tier · from $20/moYesWeb, iOS, AndroidNo—
v0Free tier · from $30/moYesiOSYesNov 3, 2026
Bolt.newFree tier · from $25/moYesWebNoNov 3, 2026

Common questions

What is the best alternative to Zed?
Cursor is the closest match: it also covers writing code with AI and reviewing pull requests. Claude Code and GitHub Copilot come next. Alternatives are ordered by how many of Zed's tasks they share, then by how popular they are.
Is there a free alternative to Zed?
Yes. Cursor, GitHub Copilot and Devin can be used for free. Cursor has a free plan, and paid plans start at $8 per month.
What is the cheapest alternative to Zed?
Among paid plans, Cursor starts lowest at $8 per month, against $10 for Zed.
Is there an open-source alternative to Zed?
Yes. Aider and Cline are open source.
Which Zed alternatives have a mobile app?
Amazon Q Developer, ChatGPT and Claude have an iPhone or Android app.