Artificial Intelligence (AI) coding assistants have rapidly transformed software development by providing code suggestions, error detection, documentation help, and boosting productivity. As developers increasingly rely on these tools, understanding their pricing models becomes vital for individuals, startups, and enterprise teams choosing the best product that fits their needs.
This article breaks down the pricing models of the top five AI coding tools available in 2024, offering clarity on what users can expect in terms of features and cost structures.
1. GitHub Copilot
Provider: GitHub (Microsoft)
GitHub Copilot is one of the most popular AI coding tools powered by OpenAI’s Codex model. It provides real-time code completion, suggests whole lines or blocks of code, and supports various programming languages.
Pricing:
- Individuals: $10/month or $100/year
- Business: $19/user/month
Business plans come with extra features like better security, policy controls, and license management.
Free for: Verified students and maintainers of popular open-source projects
2. Amazon CodeWhisperer
Provider: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon CodeWhisperer is tailored for developers within the AWS ecosystem, though it supports other environments too. Its integration with IDEs like Visual Studio Code and JetBrains IDEs makes it practical for professional workflows.
Pricing:
- Individual Tier: Free with basic functionality
- Professional Tier: $19/user/month
The professional tier includes administrative controls, integration with AWS IAM, and enterprise-grade security protocols.
3. Tabnine
Provider: Codota
Tabnine was one of the first tools to use machine learning for code completion. It runs locally or in the cloud and supports all major IDEs.
Pricing:
- Starter (free): Basic AI code completions with limited resources
- Pro: $12/user/month for premium AI models and advanced team features
- Enterprise: Custom pricing with private deployments, control over data, and dedicated support
Unlike some competitors, Tabnine pays particular attention to data privacy and runs effectively in environments with limited internet access.
4. Replit Ghostwriter
Provider: Replit
Ghostwriter is integrated natively within Replit, an online collaborative platform designed for coding in the cloud. Ghostwriter offers code completion, debugging help, and real-time collaboration with AI assistance.
Pricing:
- Ghostwriter Add-on: $10/month per user
- Included in Hacker Plan: $20/month (includes Ghostwriter and other Replit premium tools)
This pricing is appealing to students and hobbyists looking for an all-in-one development platform including coded-in-the-browser features and virtual environments.
5. Codeium
Provider: Exafunction
Codeium is a newer but rapidly evolving AI coding assistant boasting fast response speeds, support for over 40 languages, and robust integration with most popular IDEs.
Pricing:
- Developer Plan: Free – Includes unlimited usage for individual developers
- Team Plan: Custom pricing with advanced collaboration tools and admin management
Codeium’s free plan is exceptionally generous compared to other competitors, making it a top choice for freelance developers or small teams just getting started.
Comparison Summary
Here’s a brief comparison of the monthly starting prices for individuals:
- GitHub Copilot: $10
- CodeWhisperer: Free (basic), $19 (professional)
- Tabnine: Free (starter), $12 (pro)
- Ghostwriter (Replit): $10 (add-on), $20 (Hacker plan)
- Codeium: Free (individual)
When selecting an AI coding tool, it’s important to consider not just pricing, but also the ease of integration into your development workflow, the quality of suggestions, response speed, and data privacy policies.
Ultimately, pricing structures offer flexibility to serve a diverse range of developers—from students and solo coders to large enterprise teams. As the technology advances, many of these tools may expand their free tiers or offer more competitive pricing, making it even more important to stay updated on developments in this space.