ChatGPT has taken the world by storm since its release in November 2022, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about AI chatbots. Its ability to generate human-like text on a wide range of topics has captured people’s imagination. However, when it comes to coding and programming, ChatGPT still has some limitations. That’s why developers have been looking for alternatives that are better optimized for coding tasks.
In this article, we will look at the top 10 ChatGPT alternatives for coding and programming that you can use today. We’ll explore what each option offers, its key capabilities, and its pros and cons to help you find the right fit for your needs.
1. Anthropic’s Claude AI
Claude is an AI assistant created by Anthropic to be helpful, harmless, and honest. It’s designed to be safer and more aligned with human values than other AI systems.
Key features:
- Capable of explaining its capabilities and limitations transparently
- Provides reasoned responses to coding questions
- Learns interactively through natural conversation
Pros: Responsible and transparent AI, gives helpful coding explanations, improves through feedback
Cons: Still in limited beta testing, capabilities not as broad as ChatGPT
2. OpenAI Codex
Codex is OpenAI’s AI system trained explicitly for coding in multiple programming languages. It can suggest entire functions and classes based on natural language prompts.
Key capabilities:
- Write code in 12 languages including Python, JavaScript, Go, Perl
- Explain and summarize code examples
- Automate coding tasks and generate boilerplate code
Pros: Specialized for coding, can write executable code, good for automation
Cons: Prone to hallucination, lacks contextual reasoning
3. Tabnine
Tabnine is an autocomplete tool for code generation. It uses machine learning to suggest entire lines and functionalities as you type based on a statistical analysis of public code.
As discussed in this article on why ChatGPT is a game-changer, these AI tools are rapidly evolving to assist humans in new ways. Tabnine is optimized specifically for programming tasks.
Key features:
- Code suggestions for Python, JavaScript, Java, Typescript, C++, etc
- Fast autocomplete tailored to the project context
- Supports all major code editors and IDEs
Pros: Very responsive real-time suggestions, complements existing workflow
Cons: Suggestions based on statistics not meaning, some wrong predictions
4. GitHub Copilot
Copilot is GitHub’s AI pair programmer which suggests entire code blocks and functions as you type. It’s trained on billions of lines of public code.
Key capabilities:
- Contextual autocomplete for many languages like Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, etc
- Code generation based on comments and existing code
- Integrates seamlessly into common IDEs like VS Code, Neovim, etc
Pros: Responsive real-time suggestions, good for boilerplate code
Cons: Potential licensing issues, suggestions not always accurate
5. Sourcery
Sourcery analyzes your existing codebase to generate useful boilerplate code such as getters, setters, constructors, and tests suited to your programming style.
As discussed in this post on AI for startups, automating repetitive coding tasks can boost productivity for developers. Sourcery provides that benefit.
Key features:
- Auto-generate boring code based on your codebase
- Supports Python, C#, JS, Java, Ruby, Elixir, Go, Swift
- CLI and native editor integrations
Pros: Automates repetitive coding tasks, integrates workflows
Cons: Limited creative code writing abilities
6. Google Bard
Bard is Google’s experimental conversational AI service that can chat about coding concepts, explain code, and even write simple programs. It’s a more general chatbot with some coding abilities.
Key capabilities:
- Discuss computer science and programming concepts
- Analyze and debug code examples
- Write short code snippets and applications
Pros: Broad knowledge, can explain coding concepts
Cons: Prone to mistakes, limited programming ability
7. Askcodi
Askcodi is an AI assistant focused on explaining coding concepts and answering developer questions in a conversational way. It aims to mimic another developer rather than autonomously writing complex code.
Key features:
- Explains coding concepts in beginner-friendly terms
- Answers questions about development workflows
- Some ability to fix simple bugs and improve code readability
Pros: Natural language explanations helpful for learning
Cons: Doesn’t write functioning code, limited scope
8. ChatSonic
ChatSonic is an AI chatbot with some ability to understand and generate code. It can explain concepts, write simple programs, detect bugs, and refine working code.
Key capabilities:
- Explain coding concepts in plain English
- Write simple programs in Python, JavaScript, Go etc
- Detect potential bugs and security flaws
- Refactor code for readability and performance
Pros: Broad coding abilities, good for learning and simple tasks
Cons: Prone to logical errors, can’t build complex programs
9. Amazon CodeWhisperer
CodeWhisperer is Amazon’s code generation service that provides real-time suggestions as developers type based on natural language conversations. It’s currently in an invite-only preview.
Key features:
- Generate code from conversational prompts
- Provide relevant suggestions as you code
- Supports Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, C#/C++
Pros: Human-like conversational interface
Cons: Very limited availability, capabilities unclear
10. Bing AI
Microsoft’s new Bing chatbot has shown some ability to explain coding concepts and generate simple programs. It offers a conversational interface to discuss programming topics.
Key capabilities:
- Discuss and explain coding fundamentals
- Write short code samples in a few languages
- Some debugging abilities
Pros: Conversational interface, broad knowledge
Cons: Prone to hallucination, very limited coding skills
Which Coding Assistant is Right for You?
When choosing a ChatGPT alternative for coding, consider your specific needs:
- Are you looking to automate simple tasks or have an AI pair programmer? Options like Copilot, Tabnine, and Sourcery can assist with coding faster.
- Do you want an AI tutor to explain concepts and learn? Askcodi, Claude, and Bing aim to converse naturally about coding.
- For an AI to write complete code from scratch, look to Codex and CodeWhisperer. But output may need review.
- Prefer a coding sidekick you can interact with? Claude, ChatSonic and Bard offer conversational ability.
The ideal option also depends on the languages and environments you use. Experiment to see which coding AI matches your workflow and needs best. The technology is still evolving rapidly.
The Future of AI Coding Assistants
ChatGPT ignited intense interest in AI for coding. While the current options have limitations, rapid progress is being made. As researchers address fundamental challenges like logical reasoning and generalization, the capabilities of AI coding assistants will grow.
In the future, we may see AI that can develop full applications from conceptual prompts. It could enable new interfaces like coding in natural language for common programming tasks. The concerns around authenticity and licensing will need to be addressed too.
Exciting times lie ahead as AI transforms how software is built. With the right expectations and ethics around its use, AI coders look set to become potent allies rather than job-stealing competitors for human programmers. The key will be combining their complementary strengths for innovation that serves society.
