AI coding & IDEs · B-tier

Zed

Fast native code editor with built-in AI edits. The editor is free; model access is separate.

Best for

People who want a fast editor and light AI, not a full agent subscription.

What it is

Zed is a fast native code editor with built-in AI edits and chat. The editor itself is free. Model access can be your own API key or a hosted plan. It is a lighter AI surface than the full agent IDEs.

editornativechatAI coding & IDEs

Score breakdown

Capability 40%66
Ease 25%82
Value 20%92
Momentum 15%68

Pricing

Freemium

Starting price: check site

The editor is free to download. Hosted AI plans and your own model keys are separate. Check the site.

Dates

Released 2023 (year precision).

Added to StackPick 14 Oct 2026.

Alternatives

B-tier · 79

Continue

Editors who want open-source chat and autocomplete with their own keys.

S-tier · 92

Cursor

Builders who want a VS Code-like editor with a repo-wide agent.

B-tier · 70

JetBrains AI Assistant

IntelliJ, PyCharm, and WebStorm users who want AI without leaving the IDE.

Questions

What is Zed best for?

People who want a fast editor and light AI, not a full agent subscription.

How much does Zed cost?

Freemium. Starting price: check site. The editor is free to download. Hosted AI plans and your own model keys are separate. Check the site.

What are alternatives to Zed?

Continue, Cursor, JetBrains AI Assistant are the alternatives we file next to it. Open a comparison when one exists.