Continue vs Jan: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Continue and Jan comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Continue
Open-source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You need ai coding features specifically
- • Continue is an open-source AI code assistant that runs in VS Code and JetBrains
- • It provides autocomplete and chat with any LLM, including local models for privacy
Jan
Run LLMs locally with beautiful interface
Best for you if:
- • You need ai assistants features specifically
- • Jan is an open-source ChatGPT alternative that runs AI models locally and offline
- • It provides a desktop app for running LLMs privately on your own computer
| At a Glance |  Continue |  Jan |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | AI Coding | AI Assistants |
Rating | 84/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | Continue | Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AI CodingIDE & Code Editors | AI AssistantsChatbots |
Understanding the Differences
Both Continue and Jan solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Continue positions itself as "open-source ai code assistant for vs code and jetbrains" while Janfocuses on "run llms locally with beautiful interface". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Continue
Continue makes sense if you're looking for a completely free solution. With a score of 84/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Jan
Jan is worth considering if you need a free tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Continue lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Continue
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Continue handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Continue
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Continue
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Nothing at all? Continue is completely free.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Continue higher (84/100). But the community has upvoted Jan more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Continue Does Better
- Higher overall score (84/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Jan If
- You need a completely free solution
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Continue (84/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Continue scores higher in our analysis, but Jan might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Continue or Jan better?
Based on our analysis, Continue scores higher with 84/100. Continue isfree while Jan is free. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Continue to Jan easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Continue and Jan offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Continue is completely free.Jan is completely free. Visit their websites for current trial offers.