Continue vs 
Zed
Continue vs Zed compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Open-source autocomplete and chat in your IDE vs Blazing-fast editor with native AI and collab.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
Continue vs Zed at a glance
| Spec | Continue | Zed |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Coding assistant | Coding assistant |
| Type | IDE extension | Code editor |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Runs locally | Cloud-optional | Partial |
| Primary language | TypeScript | Rust |
| Ease of use | Beginner | Beginner |
| Best for | developers who want a customizable in-IDE copilot | developers who want speed first, AI included |
| GitHub stars | 34.8k | — |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Continue | Zed |
|---|---|---|
| Autocomplete | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Agent mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local models | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-IDE | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self-hostable | ✗ | ✗ |
How Continue and Zed score
| Criterion | Continue | Zed |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 4.0 | n/a |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | n/a |
| Ease of use | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| License freedom | 5.0 | 3.5 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
Continue
Continue is an open-source IDE extension for VS Code and JetBrains that brings autocomplete, chat and edits using any model, including local ones via Ollama.
- Works in VS Code and JetBrains
- Bring any model, including local via Ollama
- Highly customizable context and commands
Zed
Zed is a GPU-accelerated editor written in Rust by the Atom creators, with built-in AI edit prediction, agentic editing and real-time collaboration.
- Startlingly fast — GPU-rendered, Rust core
- Agentic editing and edit prediction built in
- Real-time collaboration without extensions
Key differences
Continue is iDE extension, while Zed is code editor. Their licenses differ (Apache-2.0 vs GPL-3.0), which matters if you ship a commercial product. They also differ in how they run (Cloud-optional vs Partial). In short, Continue fits developers who want a customizable in-IDE copilot, and Zed fits developers who want speed first, AI included.
Which should you choose?
Choose Continue for developers who want a customizable in-IDE copilot. Choose Zed for developers who want speed first, AI included.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is Continue or Zed easier to use?
Both sit at a similar level (Beginner). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.
Are Continue and Zed free?
Continue is free and open source (Apache-2.0), and Zed is free and open source (GPL-3.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run Continue and Zed locally?
Continue: cloud-optional · Zed: partial. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
Continue vs Zed — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose Continue for developers who want a customizable in-IDE copilot. Choose Zed for developers who want speed first, AI included.
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