Aider
An open-source terminal tool for AI pair programming that edits your local git repository and commits each change.
- Free plan
- Agentic tool
- Vendor-sourced
- Verified 4 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 5 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Vendor and official documentationHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Aider?
Aider is an open-source command-line tool for pair programming with large language models. It edits files in a local git repository, builds a map of the repo for context, and works with almost any LLM, including local models.
- Best forDevelopers who live in the terminal and use git heavily
- PricingFree open-source tool; you pay only for the LLM you connect. Free plan available.
- Main limitationTerminal-based, so it has a steeper learning curve for developers who prefer a graphical editor.
- AlternativesCline, Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenAI Codex · compare all
Aider overview: who it is for and what it does.
Aider runs in the terminal inside a git repository. According to its documentation, you add files to the chat so Aider can edit them, and Aider includes relevant context from the rest of the repository. It can connect to almost any LLM, including local models, and you can switch models during a chat with the /model command.
Aider's documentation lists in-chat commands, chat modes (code, architect, ask and help), voice-to-code, adding images and web pages, prompt caching, linting and testing, a watch mode for use from an IDE, a browser mode and a way to copy and paste with web chat interfaces. Third-party descriptions say Aider commits each change to git, which makes edits easy to review and undo, and uses a tree-sitter based repo map to work on larger codebases.
Aider is installed with Python, with installation methods documented for Python 3.8 to 3.13. Third-party sources describe it as Apache-2.0 licensed, and its repository history shows the Apache 2.0 licence was added in 2023. The tool itself is free; you pay your model provider for usage. We did not verify the project's current release cadence, so check its repository before relying on it.
Main problem it solves
Lets developers use any LLM to edit a git repository from the terminal while keeping every change as a reviewable commit.
Typical customer segment
Individual developers and teams; free open-source software with usage billed by the model provider.
Target users
- Terminal-first developers who use Git heavily
- Developers who want to choose and switch models freely
- Teams that want a transparent open-source tool
Primary use cases
- Adding features across several files
- Fixing bugs from pasted errors or issue URLs
- Refactoring and updating documentation
- Fixing lint and test failures automatically
- Voice-to-code and image-assisted changes
What makes it distinct
- Git-native: changes are committed with descriptive messages, per third-party descriptions.
- Works with almost any LLM, including local models.
- Chat modes such as architect and ask separate planning from editing.
Aider features explained.
Editing workflow
- Git integration
- Aider edits local files in a git repository and, according to third-party descriptions, commits each change so it can be reviewed or undone.
- Repo map
- A compact map of the repository helps the model work on larger codebases, per third-party descriptions.
- Chat modes
- Code, architect, ask and help modes are listed in Aider's documentation.
Inputs and quality
- Voice, images and web pages
- Aider's documentation lists voice-to-code and adding images and web pages to the chat.
- Linting and testing
- Aider can run lint and test commands and attempt to fix failures.
- Prompt caching
- Documented support for prompt caching to reduce cost and latency on supported models.
Setup and models
- Any LLM
- Aider can connect to almost any LLM, including local models, using keys or compatible endpoints.
- Aider in your IDE
- Aider documents a watch mode, listed as "Aider in your IDE", for using it alongside an editor.
- Installation options
- pip, pipx, uv and one-line installers are documented, along with Docker and Codespaces guides.
Aider pricing and plans.
Figures reported consistently by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 4 Nov 2026 against Aider (aider.chat) · NeuronFeed.
Pricing model
Free open-source software; the user pays the model provider for API usage or runs local models.
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
Not documented Not applicable.
Aider plans and prices (USD)
Open source
Free
n/a
Install and run without a licence fee; model costs are billed by the provider you choose, or avoided with local models.
No paid Aider plan was found in the sources reviewed. Costs depend on the model and the amount of context sent.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesAider integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Any LLM provider with an API key
- Local models
- Git repositories
- IDE watch mode
- Docker and GitHub Codespaces
Supported platforms
- Command line (macOS, Linux, Windows)
- Docker
- GitHub Codespaces
API
Aider connects to model providers using their APIs and OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
Data import and export
Not reviewed for this profile.
Python 3.8 to 3.13 are listed for installers; pip installs use Python 3.9 to 3.12 according to the installation guide.
How Aider works as an AI product.
Attributes are listed only where documented. We do not infer autonomy levels, certifications or model capabilities.
Classification: Agentic tool. A human-directed tool that can plan, edit and run actions, with the user reviewing or approving changes. Developer: Aider project (Paul Gauthier).
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Supported models | Aider can connect to almost any LLM, including local models. Its documentation recommends specific models for best results, but that list can lag newer releases. [1] |
| Tools and integrations | Git, linting and testing commands, voice input, images and web pages, and an IDE watch mode. [1] |
| Ability to execute actions | Aider edits files in a local git repository and, per third-party descriptions, commits the changes; it can run shell commands via in-chat commands. [1] [4] |
| Execution environment | Runs locally in the terminal; Docker and Codespaces guides are available. [2] |
| Human-in-the-loop controls | Third-party descriptions say each change becomes a git commit that can be reviewed, diffed or undone with in-chat commands such as /undo and /diff. [4] |
| Permissions and access | Not documented in the sources reviewed. |
| Memory and context | Aider sends a map of the repository and only edits files added to the chat; documented conventions files can set coding preferences. [1] |
| Deployment options | Installed by the user via Python tooling or Docker; no hosted service was identified in the sources reviewed. [2] |
| Data handling and privacy | Not documented in the sources reviewed. |
| Security and compliance | Not documented in the sources reviewed. |
| Pricing and usage limits | There is no Aider subscription limit; limits come from the chosen model provider. [1] |
| Languages and platforms | Not documented in the sources reviewed. |
| Limitations and known constraints | Needs a git repository and a configured model, and the developer must choose which files to add. Current maintenance activity was not verified in the sources reviewed. [1] [2] |
Primary tasks
- Editing code across files from chat
- Committing changes to git
- Fixing lint and test failures
- Documentation and config edits
Best-fit workflows
- Terminal-first developers who want every AI change as a git commit
- Teams that want model flexibility including local models
- Developers who prefer a lightweight open-source tool over a full editor
Aider pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
Limitations
- Terminal-based, so it has a steeper learning curve for developers who prefer a graphical editor. [4]
- The developer must select the files to add to the chat for best results. [1]
- The documentation's model recommendations can lag newer model releases. [1]
- No hosted team administration features were found in the sources reviewed. [2]
Best for
- Developers who live in the terminal and use git heavily
- Anyone who wants to pick and swap models freely
- Teams that prefer open-source tooling
May be less suited to
- Developers who want an integrated graphical editor
- Organisations that need central administration and SSO
Top Aider alternatives and competitors.
Cline
An open-source AI coding agent for VS Code and the terminal that asks before each action and works with your…
Explore →Related productClaude Code
Anthropic's agentic coding tool for the terminal, IDEs, a desktop app and the web, built around permissions…
Explore →Related productGemini CLI
Google's open-source terminal agent for Gemini models, with a free tier for personal Google accounts and a…
Explore →Related productOpenAI Codex
OpenAI's coding agent, available as a CLI, IDE extension, desktop app and cloud agent, included with ChatGPT…
Explore →Aider compared with similar AI coding agents.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Interface | Model choice | Free tier | Pricing model | Human oversight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aider | Terminal (command line) | Almost any LLM, including local models | Yes (open source) | Free software; pay model usage | Git commits can be reviewed and undone (third-party) |
| Amp | CLI and editor extensions | Several frontier models | Yes (ad-supported daily grant) | Credits and subscriptions | Not documented in sources reviewed |
| Augment Code | VS Code, JetBrains, CLI and Slack | Frontier models; credit cost varies | No (trial reported) | Credit-based subscriptions | Not documented in sources reviewed |
| Bolt.new | Browser-based AI app builder | Not documented in sources reviewed | Yes (1M tokens a month) | Subscription with token allowances | Not documented in sources reviewed |
| Claude Code Compare | Terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, desktop app, web | Claude models (Anthropic) | Not documented in sources reviewed | Included in paid Claude plans, or usage-based API billing | Permissions, sandboxing and checkpoints documented |
| Cline Compare | VS Code extension and CLI | Many providers, bring your own key | Yes (open source) | Free software; pay model usage | Per-action approval and checkpoints (third-party) |
Aider vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Aider vs goose
Aider and goose are free open-source agents that work with many models, including local ones. Aider is a…
Explore →ComparisonClaude Code vs Aider
Claude Code and Aider both run in the terminal. Claude Code is Anthropic's product using Claude models, with…
Explore →ComparisonCline vs Aider
Cline and Aider are both free open-source coding agents that let you bring your own model. Cline works…
Explore →Aider discussions and buying questions.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
Aider questions and answers
What is Aider?
Aider is an open-source command-line tool for AI pair programming. It edits code in your local git repository using a large language model of your choice.
Is Aider free?
Yes. Aider itself is free open-source software. You pay your LLM provider for usage, or you can use local models.
Which models work with Aider?
Aider's documentation says it can connect to almost any LLM, including local models, and it names specific models that work best. Check the documentation for current recommendations.
Does Aider commit changes to git?
Third-party descriptions say Aider commits each change with a descriptive message, which makes edits easy to review and undo.
Is Aider an autonomous agent?
We classify Aider as an agentic tool. It makes multi-file edits and can run lint and tests, but the developer directs the work and reviews the commits.
How do I install Aider?
Aider's documentation describes aider-install, one-line installers for macOS, Linux and Windows, and installs with uv, pipx or pip.
How does Aider compare with Claude Code?
Both run in the terminal. Aider is open source and model-agnostic, while Claude Code is Anthropic's tool using Claude models. See the Claude Code vs Aider comparison.
What integrations does Aider support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Any LLM provider with an API key, Local models, Git repositories, IDE watch mode, Docker and GitHub Codespaces. API details: Aider connects to model providers using their APIs and OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
What are the limitations of Aider?
Terminal-based, so it has a steeper learning curve for developers who prefer a graphical editor. The developer must select the files to add to the chat for best results. The documentation's model recommendations can lag newer model releases.
Which platforms does Aider run on?
Aider is documented as available on: Command line (macOS, Linux, Windows), Docker, GitHub Codespaces.
Is Aider an AI agent or an AI assistant?
We classify Aider as: Agentic tool. A human-directed tool that can plan, edit and run actions, with the user reviewing or approving changes. The classification is based on vendor documentation and is not an endorsement.
When was the Aider profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 4 Nov 2026. 5 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
What are the main alternatives to Aider?
The main alternatives to Aider covered on Stack18 are Cline, Claude Code, Gemini CLI and OpenAI Codex. Cline may suit developers who prefer open-source tools and their own API keys. Claude Code may suit Terminal-first developers. Gemini CLI may suit developers who want to start free in the terminal. See the Aider alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
Where this information comes from.
- Aider usage documentation Aider (aider.chat) Official docs Accessed 4 Nov 2026
- Aider installation Aider (aider.chat) Official docs Accessed 4 Nov 2026
- Aider documentation Aider (aider.chat) Official docs Accessed 4 Nov 2026
- Aider Review 2026 NeuronFeed Third-party Accessed 4 Nov 2026 Used for git-commit behaviour and the Apache 2.0 licence statement.
- Aider: terminal AI pair programming with native git integration Noze Third-party Accessed 4 Nov 2026 Used for the repo map description.
Further official pages: Aider documentation (external)
Features, chat modes and installation were checked in Aider's documentation. Git-commit behaviour, the licence and the repo map description come from third-party sources, and the project's current release cadence was not verified. Agent behaviour was not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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