Continue.dev
GitLab Duo
Continue.dev vs GitLab Duo: Which Should You Pick?
Compare Continue.dev and GitLab Duo side by side: pricing, features, pros and cons. Interactive cost calculator included.
Pricing Comparison
| Aspect | Continue.dev | GitLab Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Tiers | Free (Open Source): $0 (BYOK) | Duo Pro (add-on): $19/user/mo |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Category | Code Completion | Code Completion |
| Our Rating | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
Cost Calculator
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Continue.dev: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Deep IDE integration in VS Code and JetBrains
- Complete model flexibility — cloud or local LLMs
- Strong context awareness across files and project structure
- Customizable prompts and workflow recipes
Weaknesses
- Initial setup complexity for local models
- Performance depends heavily on chosen LLM backend
- Learning curve for advanced customization and templates
- Occasional minor UI glitches as an evolving project
GitLab Duo: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Deep integration with GitLab's DevSecOps platform
- Strong security vulnerability explanation and remediation
- Contextual code suggestions leveraging project metadata
- Efficient MR and issue summaries save review time
Weaknesses
- Expensive — add-on to already premium GitLab tiers
- Limited IDE support beyond VS Code and Web IDE
- Performance varies for less common languages and frameworks
- Context window limitations on very large codebases
The Verdict
Our Take
Continue.dev: Best open-source AI coding assistant with unmatched model flexibility — ideal for privacy-conscious developers who want full control over their AI backend.
GitLab Duo: Comprehensive AI assistant for the full DevOps lifecycle — best for enterprise teams already deeply invested in GitLab Premium or Ultimate.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Continue.dev or GitLab Duo?
Continue.dev is cheaper. Continue.dev starts at free. GitLab Duo starts at $19/mo. Use the cost calculator above to estimate based on your usage.
Can I use Continue.dev and GitLab Duo together?
They serve similar purposes, so most developers pick one. Continue.dev is a code completion while GitLab Duo is a code completion.
Which has a free tier?
Only Continue.dev has a free tier.