These tools don’t just autocomplete lines of code—they understand your intent, suggest optimized solutions, detect bugs, and sometimes even write full functions or test cases for you. If you’ve ever wanted a pair of extra hands (or a smarter Stack Overflow), AI assistants are exactly that.
And the best part? Many of them are either free or offer generous free tiers. Let’s explore the top AI assistants for coding you should try this year.
1. GitHub Copilot – The OG Powerhouse
Built by OpenAI and GitHub, Copilot is one of the most widely used AI code assistants. It works like magic inside your editor, completing code snippets, writing boilerplate, and even suggesting entire functions based on your comment prompts.
Why it's great:
- Deep integration with VS Code, JetBrains, and Neovim
- Understands code context really well
- Learns from your patterns over time
Downside: It’s not free. Pricing starts at $10/month, though students and verified open-source developers can use it for free.
2. Codeium – The Best Free Alternative to Copilot
If you’re looking for a free Copilot alternative, look no further than Codeium. It’s incredibly fast, supports over 70 programming languages, and works across most popular IDEs like VS Code, JetBrains, Jupyter, and even Vim.
What makes it awesome:
- Completely free for individuals
- Fast inline suggestions with high accuracy
- Includes an AI-powered chat assistant inside your IDE
- Offers context-aware suggestions, even in large codebases
Codeium is perfect for devs who want powerful AI support without the subscription.
3. Tabnine – Private, Local, and Lightweight
Tabnine focuses on privacy and speed. Unlike most AI tools that rely on cloud APIs, Tabnine offers a local AI model so your code never leaves your machine.
Best features:
- Works offline
- Great for security-conscious teams
- Compatible with all major IDEs
- Free version includes basic autocomplete features
While its free tier is more limited than Codeium’s, it’s still great for those who want a more private development experience.
4. Amazon CodeWhisperer – Great for AWS Devs
If you’re building on AWS, Amazon CodeWhisperer is the AI assistant for you. It offers smart suggestions tailored to AWS SDKs and services, helping you work faster in cloud-based environments.
Top features:
- Free for individual developers
- Built-in security scanning for suggested code
- Works with VS Code and JetBrains
- Supports Python, JavaScript, Java, and more
For serverless or cloud-native apps, this tool fits right into your AWS stack.
5. Replit Ghostwriter – AI in the Browser
Replit Ghostwriter is ideal for beginners, students, or hobbyists who code in the browser. It helps you build, test, and deploy right from Replit’s online IDE.
Why try it:
- Instant AI coding help in your browser
- Suggests and explains code
- Offers project templates and boilerplates
It’s not 100% free, but new users get limited access to test the waters.
Bonus: Keploy – The AI Assistant for Testing Your APIs
Most AI tools help you write code—but what about testing it? That’s where Keploy comes in.
What is Keploy?
Keploy is a free, open-source tool that auto-generates test cases for your backend APIs by recording real traffic. It’s like having an AI assistant that watches how your app behaves and turns that into clean, repeatable tests.
Why developers love it:
- Works with Go, Python, Java, and more
- Automatically creates integration and unit tests
- Generates mocks to isolate services
- Saves hours of manual test writing
If you’re tired of writing tests or want higher test coverage without the grind, Keploy is your best friend.
???? Try Keploy on GitHub
How to Pick the Right AI Assistant
Here’s a quick guide best AI coding assistants
| Tool | Best For | Free Plan? |
| GitHub Copilot | Full-featured code completion | ❌ (Free for students/OSS) |
| Codeium | Fast, powerful, and 100% free | ✅ |
| Tabnine | Private, offline coding | ✅ |
| CodeWhisperer | AWS cloud development | ✅ |
| Replit Ghostwriter | Coding in browser / beginners | ⚠️ (Limited) |
| Keploy | AI-generated tests for APIs | ✅ |
Final Thoughts
AI coding assistants are no longer a luxury—they’re becoming essential tools for modern developers. Whether you’re just starting out or deploying complex microservices, these assistants can help you code faster, learn more, and avoid burnout.
Tools like Codeium, Copilot, and Tabnine help you build, while Keploy makes sure everything works as expected. The best part? Most of these are free or offer free tiers, so you can start building smarter today—without spending a cent.
So go ahead, install one (or more), start coding, and let AI take care of the heavy lifting.
Read more https://keploy.io/blog/community/best-ai-coding-assistant-for-beginners-and-experts