Best AI Coding Assistants 2026: GitHub Copilot vs Claude Code vs Cursor vs Continue
AI coding tools are now essential for developers. Here's how the top options compare with Australian pricing.
AINow Take
Claude Code is the most powerful for complex tasks. Cursor is the best IDE experience. Continue (open-source) is the best free option. GitHub Copilot is the safest bet for teams.
AI coding assistants have become essential. Here’s how the major options compare for Australian developers.
The Contenders
GitHub Copilot
Cost: ~$15 AUD/month (Individual) Best for: General-purpose coding in VS Code Strength: Best integration, supports many languages Weakness: Less capable for complex refactoring
Claude Code (Anthropic)
Cost: ~$31 AUD/month (Claude Pro) Best for: Complex tasks, refactoring, terminal-based work Strength: Deep understanding, can handle large codebases Weakness: Terminal-only, no IDE GUI
Cursor
Cost: ~$31 AUD/month (Pro) Best for: All-in-one AI IDE experience Strength: Built on VS Code, AI-native features Weakness: Another tool to learn
Continue (Open-Source)
Cost: Free Best for: Privacy-conscious developers Strength: Local models, customisable, open-source Weakness: Requires setup, less polished
Comparison
| Feature | Copilot | Claude Code | Cursor | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (AUD) | ~$15/mo | ~$31/mo | ~$31/mo | Free |
| Free tier | Yes (limited) | No | Yes (limited) | Yes |
| IDE integration | VS Code, JetBrains | Terminal | Built-in IDE | VS Code |
| Local models | No | No | No | Yes |
| Code review | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Refactoring | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Privacy | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Local option |
Australian Pricing
| Tool | Free | Individual | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copilot | Limited | ~$15 AUD/mo | ~$27 AUD/mo |
| Claude Code | No | ~$31 AUD/mo (Pro) | ~$31 AUD/mo |
| Cursor | Limited | ~$31 AUD/mo | ~$62 AUD/mo |
| Continue | Full | Free | Free |
Verdict
If you want the best all-rounder: GitHub Copilot at ~$15 AUD/month — cheapest, well-integrated, good enough.
If you do complex work: Claude Code at ~$31 AUD/month — significantly better at understanding large codebases.
If you want the best experience: Cursor — AI-native IDE is a joy to use.
If you want free + private: Continue with local Llama models — no data leaves your machine.