AI code editors · ranked 03
Zed
A fast collaborative editor with built-in edit predictions.
Best for A fast editor when VS Code feels heavy
Zed is a high-performance code editor from Zed Industries, written for speed and multiplayer editing. It includes AI edit predictions and an assistant panel. The editor itself is open source. Hosted model features are a separate plan — check site.
Best use cases
- Editing locally with low latency
- Pairing in a shared buffer
- Trying an editor that is not a VS Code fork
Pros
- + The editor is free and open source
- + Performance is the product, which matters on large files
- + AI is built in rather than bolted on as your only option
Cons
- − Extension coverage is not VS Code's
- − Hosted AI pricing: check site
Pricing
The editor is free and open source. Hosted AI plans: check site.
Alternatives
AI code editors
8.6
Cursor
AI editor on a VS Code fork, with tab, inline edit, and an agent.
Best for Daily driving an AI editor on a real repo
AI code editors
7.1
Continue
Open-source autopilot for VS Code and JetBrains. Bring your own model.
Best for Owning the extension and choosing the model
AI code editors
7.8
GitHub Copilot
GitHub's AI pair programmer across VS Code, JetBrains, and its own app.
Best for Adding an agent without leaving the editor you have