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Continue vs Claude Code

Both are code assistant tools. Here is what separates them.

ContinueClaude Code
What it isAn open-source assistant for VS Code and JetBrains that you point at whichever model you want, including local ones.Anthropic’s terminal-based coding agent: it reads the repository, edits files, runs tests and commits.
CategoryCode AssistantCode Assistant
PricingFree · Free · self-hostedPaid · Included with Claude Pro $20/mo · Max from $100/mo
How it billsFreeBundled
Free tierYesNo
RatingNot yet ratedNot yet rated
Features
  • Works with hosted or local models
  • VS Code and JetBrains extensions
  • Configuration as a file in your repo
  • Custom context providers
  • No telemetry by default
  • Multi-file edits across a repository
  • Runs tests and iterates on failures
  • Git-aware, can commit and open pull requests
  • CLI, desktop, web and IDE extensions
  • Extensible with MCP servers and custom skills
What works
  • Code never has to leave your machine
  • No subscription
  • Model choice is entirely yours
  • Handles whole tasks rather than single lines
  • Strong at understanding an unfamiliar codebase
  • Works with any editor because it lives in the terminal
What does not
  • Requires setup and a model to point at
  • Quality depends on what you connect
  • Fewer conveniences than commercial editors
  • Requires a paid Claude plan
  • Reviewing large diffs takes discipline
  • Token cost adds up on big repositories

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