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Open Source JetBrains Alternatives

A curated collection of the 5 best open source alternatives to JetBrains.

The best open source alternative to JetBrains is Zed. If that doesn't suit you, we've compiled a ranked list of other open source JetBrains alternatives to help you find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to JetBrains are: Continue, Roo Code, CodeEdit, and Forgecode.

JetBrains alternatives are mainly AI-Powered Editors but may also be AI Coding Assistants or General Purpose Editors. Browse these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of JetBrains.

Piotr Kulpinski's profile

Written by Piotr Kulpinski

High-performance code editor built in Rust with native AI integration, real-time collaboration, and lightning-fast performance across multiple platforms.

Screenshot of Zed website

Revolutionary code editor designed for the future of software development, combining blazing-fast performance with intelligent AI collaboration. Built from scratch in Rust to leverage multiple CPU cores and GPU acceleration for unmatched speed.

Key features that set it apart:

  • Native AI integration with upcoming LLMs for code generation, transformation, and analysis
  • Real-time collaboration including chat, shared notes, and screen sharing
  • Agentic editing for seamless human-AI workflow integration
  • Built-in debugger with multi-language support
  • Native Git integration for staging, committing, and diff viewing
  • Remote development capabilities for server-side coding
  • Multibuffer editing to work across multiple files simultaneously

Advanced capabilities include edit prediction powered by Zeta language model, interactive programming with Jupyter runtimes, comprehensive Language Server Protocol support, and Vim-friendly modal editing. The growing extensions ecosystem offers hundreds of themes and language support options.

Trusted by world-class developers from React core team, Elixir creator, and leading tech companies. Available for macOS and Linux, with Windows support coming soon. Experience coding at the speed of thought with this next-generation editor.

Looking for open source alternatives to other popular services? Check out other posts in the alternatives series and openalternative.co, a directory of open source software with filters for tags and alternatives for easy browsing and discovery.

Open-source AI code assistant that connects models and context to build custom autocomplete and chat experiences inside your IDE.

Screenshot of Continue website

Continue is an open-source AI code assistant that empowers developers to build custom autocomplete and chat experiences directly within their IDE.

Key features:

  • Flexible model integration: Connect any AI models and context sources
  • Customizable autocomplete: Get intelligent code suggestions as you type
  • In-IDE chat: Ask questions and get code-aware responses without leaving your editor
  • Context-aware: Leverages your codebase, documentation, and other sources for more relevant assistance
  • Open and extensible: Build on top of Continue to create tailored AI coding experiences

Continue aims to keep developers in flow while coding by removing productivity barriers. Its plug-and-play system makes it easy to get started and integrate with your entire development stack. As an open platform, Continue allows teams to evolve their AI assistant capabilities as new innovations emerge.

Whether you're looking to accelerate development, reduce context switching, or become a leader in AI-assisted coding, Continue provides a powerful foundation for amplifying your development workflow with artificial intelligence.

Open-source AI coding assistant with multi-file editing, agentic workflows, and model flexibility. Transform your VS Code into an intelligent development environment.

Screenshot of Roo Code website

Transform your VS Code into an intelligent development environment with AI assistants that understand your entire codebase. Unlike traditional autocomplete tools, Roo Code provides agentic AI capabilities that can plan, write, and fix code across multiple files simultaneously.

Key advantages over closed alternatives:

  • Open-source and model-agnostic - Use any AI model including OpenAI, Anthropic, or local LLMs
  • Deep project-wide context - Reads your entire codebase for intelligent multi-file refactoring
  • Specialized modes - Switch between coding, debugging, and architecture modes on demand
  • Task orchestration - Breaks down complex tasks and delegates to specialized AI modes
  • Guarded execution - Approve or deny commands while maintaining full control

Advanced capabilities include:

  • Multi-file editing with diff-based preservation
  • Automated browser testing and verification
  • Command execution with permission controls
  • Fully customizable modes and behavior rules
  • Enterprise-ready with self-hosted model support

Privacy-focused design ensures your code stays local unless you choose external APIs. Use .rooignore files to exclude sensitive content and run completely offline with local models for maximum security.

Perfect for both enterprise development and casual coding, Roo Code adapts to your workflow while providing the intelligence of an entire development team right in your editor.

A lightweight, natively built editor. Open source and free forever. Develop any project using any language at speeds like never before.

Screenshot of CodeEdit website

CodeEdit is an exciting new code editor written entirely and unapologetically for macOS. Develop any project using any language at speeds like never before with increased efficiency and reliability in an editor that feels right at home on your Mac.

It is not meant to replace Xcode but rather supplement it for projects not intended for Apple platforms. We believe every type of developer deserves a great experience and excellent performance.

Key features:

  • macOS Native: Harness the full power of your Mac, something only possible with our completely native architecture developed in Swift.
  • Lightweight Yet Powerful: Designed to be lean with limitless potential.
  • Completely Open Source: CodeEdit is developed for you by developers like you. Don't like something? Want a new feature? Just create an issue or submit a PR.
  • Extensible & customizable: Make CodeEdit your own, tailored to your needs.
  • Familiar & Intuitive User Interface: Our user interface is designed to be familiar for ease-of-use and productivity.
  • Better tools to get the job done: Feel connected to the code you are writing with tools to keep you on track.

Non-intrusive, lightweight AI coding assistant that integrates seamlessly with your terminal workflow. Get intelligent code suggestions without leaving your command line.

Screenshot of Forgecode website

Transform your terminal into a powerful development environment with AI-powered coding assistance that works exactly where you need it. This lightweight tool integrates seamlessly into your existing workflow without disrupting your development process.

Key advantages:

  • Non-intrusive design - Works quietly in the background without interfering with your coding flow
  • Terminal-native experience - No need to switch between different applications or interfaces
  • Instant setup - Get started in seconds with a simple global installation
  • Lightweight architecture - Minimal resource usage while delivering powerful AI capabilities

Perfect for developers who prefer working in the terminal and want intelligent code suggestions without the overhead of heavy IDEs. The tool provides contextual assistance while maintaining the speed and simplicity that terminal users love.

Whether you're writing scripts, debugging code, or exploring new frameworks, you get AI pair programming capabilities directly in your command line environment. Join thousands of developers who have already enhanced their terminal-based development workflow with this efficient coding assistant.

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