ChatGPT vs Continue: Side-by-Side Comparison 2026
ChatGPT vs Continue comparison 2026. Side-by-side features, pricing & capabilities.
ChatGPT is an AI assistant from OpenAI — ai assistant with powerful coding capabilities. Continue is an editor extension from Continue — open-source ai coding extension.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT — Conversational AI from OpenAI. General + Coding.
- ✓ AI chat
- ✓ Test generation
- ✓ Debugging
- ✓ Code review
Free / $8/mo · 6 plans
Continue
Continue — AI Code Assistant from Continue. Open Source IDE Extension.
- ✓ Code completions
- ✓ AI chat
- ✓ Agentic mode
- ✓ Multi-file editing
- ✓ Terminal commands
$20/mo · 3 plans
| Feature | ChatGPT | Continue |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Assistant | Extension |
| Starting Price | Free | $20/mo |
| Model Family | GPT / o-series | Multi-model (any) |
| Agentic Mode | — | ✓ |
| Multi-File Editing | — | ✓ |
| Terminal Commands | — | ✓ |
| Voice Input | ✓ | — |
| Git Integration | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | No | Yes (Apache 2.0) |
Pricing verified Feb 25, 2026. ChatGPT pricing | Continue pricing
Key Differences
- Category: ChatGPT is an AI assistant; Continue is an editor extension.
- Free tier: ChatGPT has a free tier; Continue does not.
- Starting price: ChatGPT starts at $8/mo; Continue starts at $20/mo.
- Model family: ChatGPT uses GPT / o-series; Continue uses Multi-model (any).
- Agentic mode: Continue supports agentic mode; ChatGPT does not.
- Open source: ChatGPT: No. Continue: Yes (Apache 2.0).
- Bring your own key: Continue supports BYOK; ChatGPT does not.
- Platforms: ChatGPT runs on Android, Web, Windows, iOS, macOS; Continue runs on Linux, Windows, macOS.
- Provider: ChatGPT is built by OpenAI; Continue is built by Continue.
- Capabilities: Continue has multi-file editing; Continue has terminal commands; ChatGPT has voice input.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose ChatGPT if you want AI-powered coding assistance. Choose Continue if you want open-source AI coding with full control over model and context. Read our full reviews to see which fits your workflow.