The Continue alternative with a dedicated multi-agent workspace.

Continue is one of the most popular open-source AI assistants for VS Code and JetBrains, endlessly configurable, any provider. AIDEN trades that flexibility for a prebuilt orchestration layer: board, spec gate, worktrees, PRs.

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Quick answer

Continue is one of the most popular open-source AI coding assistants (Apache-2.0 licensed) for VS Code and JetBrains, and the most configurable: virtually every provider, Anthropic, OpenAI, Ollama local models, OpenRouter, plus deep customization. AIDEN shares Continue's BYOK philosophy but operates at a different scope: where Continue is an assistant you assemble inside your editor, AIDEN is a ready-made desktop orchestrator, parallel Claude Code and Codex agents, a kanban board, branch-per-story git automation, an enforced spec gate, and one-click PRs.

What AIDEN is: Desktop workspace running your Claude Code + Codex CLIs on parallel git branches
Platform: macOS 12+ (arm64 + x64), signed & notarized
Code privacy: Local, code never leaves your machine
Pricing: Free (1 project) · Solo $19/mo · Lifetime $169 · Team $10/seat

Stick with Continue when

You need local model support via Ollama, Continue's provider list is unmatched.
You want free, open-source tooling with full community extensibility.
You live in VS Code or JetBrains and don't want to leave your editor.
You enjoy configuring your assistant exactly how you want it.

Switch to AIDEN when

You want the orchestration layer prebuilt instead of assembling an assistant from config files.
You need multiple agent sessions running in parallel on isolated worktrees.
You want a kanban board showing every story's status, branch, and agent output.
You want a spec approval gate and one-click PRs as defaults, not integrations you wire up.

Continue vs AIDEN, side by side

Across 10 features · AIDEN 6 · Continue 2

Feature	Continue	AIDEN
Form factor	VS Code / JetBrains extension	Standalone desktop workspace
Bring your own API keys	Yes	Yes
Local models (Ollama)	Yes	Via Claude Code config
Multi-agent parallel runs	No	Yes
Git branch per story	No	Yes
Kanban story board	No	Yes
Spec-driven workflow	No	Yes
One-click pull requests	No	Yes
Open source	Yes, Apache-2.0	No
Pricing	Free (open source)	Free, Solo $19/mo or $169 lifetime, Team $10/seat/mo (min 3)

Switching from Continue?

Download AIDEN free and bring your existing Claude Code or Codex setup. Runs on macOS in minutes, no credit card required.

Download AIDEN free

Free to start · macOS 12+ · No credit card required

A switcher's take

Continue's superpower is configurability: any provider, any model, local Ollama, custom rules, a framework you assemble into exactly the assistant you want. AIDEN is the opposite trade: no model marketplace, just Claude Code and Codex, but the orchestration layer arrives prebuilt, board, spec gate, worktrees, PRs. Tinkerers who want control of the model stack should pick Continue; developers who want the workflow layer done for them should pick AIDEN.

Continue vs AIDEN, FAQ

Does AIDEN support local models like Continue does via Ollama?

Continue's Ollama integration is currently ahead of AIDEN for local model support. AIDEN routes through Claude Code (Anthropic) and Codex CLI (OpenAI). If running local LLMs offline is essential, Continue is the right choice for that use case.

Can I use Continue inside AIDEN?

AIDEN uses Claude Code and Codex CLIs as its agent engines, not the Continue extension. However, many developers use Continue inside VS Code for quick interactive edits while using AIDEN for structured multi-story parallel work.

Why pay $19/mo when Continue is free?

You're paying for the workspace: parallel multi-agent runs, branch-per-story automation, a kanban board, one-click PRs, and a purpose-built desktop environment. If those features aren't on your critical path, Continue is an excellent free tool. AIDEN also offers a one-time $169 lifetime if you'd rather pay once.

Is AIDEN open source like Continue?

No. Continue is Apache-2.0 open source; AIDEN is a commercial desktop application with a free tier for one project, Solo at $19/month (or $169 lifetime), and Team at $10/seat/month with a 3-seat minimum. The BYOK philosophy is shared, you pay Anthropic and OpenAI directly, not through AIDEN.

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Stop chatting. Start shipping.

Try AIDEN free. Bring your existing Claude Code or Codex setup.

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