Open Source AI Coding Tools: 5 Best Free ChatGPT Rivals
Open Source AI Coding Tools are rapidly replacing ChatGPT for developers. ChatGPT is great, but for serious coding, it has problems: it’s expensive ($20/month), sends your private code to servers, and even with the release of GPT-5.1, it still feels… lazy.
In late 2025, the gap between “Closed” models (like GPT-4o) and “Open” models has vanished. Today, you can run AI on your own laptop that is faster, more private, and often smarter at Python than OpenAI’s flagship.
If you are tired of monthly subscriptions, here are the 5 Best Open Source AI Coding Tools you need to try right now.
1. DeepSeek V3.2 (The New King)
If you haven’t tried DeepSeek V3.2 yet, you are missing out. Released just a few weeks ago, this model utilizes a new “Sparse Attention” architecture that crushes GPT-5 on major coding benchmarks while being completely free to use via their API.
- Why it wins: It has a massive context window (it can read your whole codebase) and costs a fraction of GPT-4o to run.
- Best for: Complex debugging and refactoring large Python/JS files.
- Cost: Open Weights (Free).
2. Qwen 3 (The Python Specialist)
Forget Qwen 2.5. Alibaba’s newly released Qwen 3 is a monster. On the HumanEval+ benchmark, it scores higher than almost any other open model, rivaling Claude 3.5 Opus.
I recently used Qwen 3 to build a Python AI Agent, and it followed complex multi-step instructions perfectly without the “laziness” I often see in ChatGPT.
3. Ollama v1.0 (The Engine)
You can’t have a serious conversation about open source AI coding tools without mentioning Ollama. With the recent v1.0 update, it’s now easier than ever to run Llama 3, DeepSeek, or Mistral on your MacBook or Linux machine.
The Killer Feature: Privacy. When you use Ollama, your code never leaves your computer. For enterprise developers working on sensitive IP, this is mandatory.
ollama run deepseek-v3.24. Continue.dev (The Open Source “Cursor”)
If you read my review of Cursor vs Windsurf, you know I love AI editors. But they cost money.
Continue is the open-source alternative. It is a VS Code extension that lets you connect any model (Ollama, DeepSeek, GPT-5) to your editor. It gives you “Tab” autocomplete and a chat sidebar for free.
- Pros: You own the stack. No subscription fees.
- Cons: Setup takes 5 minutes (vs 0 minutes for Cursor).
5. Mistral Codestral (The Speed Demon)
From the French labs of Mistral AI comes Codestral, widely considered one of the fastest open source AI coding tools for code completion (FIM). It is optimized for low-latency suggestions.
If you want an experience that feels like GitHub Copilot but runs locally on your GPU, Codestral is the current gold standard.
Watch: How to set up a fully local AI coding environment with Ollama and Continue.
Verdict: Choosing the Best Open Source AI Coding Tools
| User Type | Recommended Stack |
|---|---|
| The Privacy Freak | Ollama + Llama 3.2 (Local) |
| The Power User | Continue.dev + DeepSeek V3.2 |
| The Beginner | Stick to Windsurf (Paid) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are open source AI coding tools better than ChatGPT 5?
For pure coding tasks, many developers prefer them because models like DeepSeek V3.2 are less “lazy,” offer more privacy, and allow you to own your infrastructure without the high monthly fees of GPT-5.
What computer do I need to run Qwen 3 locally?
To run models like Qwen 3 (7B or 14B versions) locally with Ollama, you generally need a Mac with an M1/M2/M3 chip or a PC with an NVIDIA GPU (RTX 3060 or better) and at least 16GB of RAM.
Is Continue.dev free?
Yes, the extension is 100% free and open-source. You only pay if you choose to connect it to a paid API like GPT-5, but it is free if you connect it to a local Ollama model.
