Best AI Tools for Developers to Accelerate Coding

AI is reshaping how developers write and understand code. Stack Overflow 2024 reports 62% of developers actively using AI tools (up from 44% in 2023). Postman's State of API found AI-driven API traffic up 73% in 2024. GitHub Copilot has over 1 million free users among maintainers and students. These tools help you ship faster without sacrificing quality—when used thoughtfully. This guide covers the best options and how to get the most from them.

In-IDE assistants: Copilot, Cursor, and alternatives

GitHub Copilot and Cursor suggest code as you type. Copilot focuses on completion and integrates with GitHub. Cursor adds deep AI: chat, inline edits, multi-file reasoning, and model choice. Both reduce boilerplate and speed up exploration.

Cline (Claude in your IDE) and Aider offer terminal-based workflows. Cody by Sourcegraph brings AI to any IDE. Our AI tools collection lists Cursor, Copilot Workspaces, and Devin for autonomous coding. See the future of AI in development for the bigger picture.

Code generation, explanation, and refactoring

Ask AI to generate functions, tests, or docs from natural language. Use it to explain unfamiliar codebases or refactor legacy logic. Always review output; AI can hallucinate or miss edge cases. Provide context: file paths, error messages, and existing patterns improve results.

For security-sensitive code, avoid pasting secrets. Use AI to draft, then validate manually. Pair with workflow automation to run tests and linters automatically after generation.

Pair AI with strong fundamentals

The best results come when you guide AI with clear prompts and domain knowledge. Use AI to accelerate, not to replace understanding. How to integrate AI APIs covers adding AI to your apps. Explore productivity tools and AI tools.