What is Aider?
Aider is an open-source tool that lets you pair program with large language models from the terminal, working on your local git repository. The docs also cover use in a browser, Docker, GitHub Codespaces and Replit, and it can be used from an IDE by adding comments to code.
Who it's for
Aider suits developers who are comfortable in the command line and want an LLM to edit an existing codebase or start a new project. It does not include a model, so users bring their own API key or a local model.
Pros & cons
Strengths
- Aider lists support for most LLMs, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, GROQ, xAI, Azure, Cohere, DeepSeek, OpenRouter, GitHub Copilot, Vertex AI and Amazon Bedrock, plus OpenAI-compatible APIs.
- Local models are supported: the docs list Ollama and LM Studio as connections.
- Aider says it builds a map of the whole repository to give the model context, and automatically commits changes to git with descriptive messages.
- Aider says it can run linters and tests after each change and try to fix the problems they detect.
- The docs list chat modes (code, architect, ask, help), voice-to-code, adding images and web pages to the chat, prompt caching, and scripting from the command line or Python.
- The code is open source under an Apache 2.0 license, as stated in the FAQ.
Limitations
- Aider has no plans or built-in model: the model API usage is billed by whichever provider you connect, and the FAQ warns that adding unneeded files increases token costs.
- The docs only describe a command-line workflow plus a pip-based install (aider-install); the pages read do not list supported operating systems or a hosted web app with accounts.
- The vendor's pages disagree on analytics: the analytics page says data is collected only if you opt in (though a random subset of users is asked), while the privacy policy says analytics is collected by default and can be turned off.
- The privacy policy (updated April 12, 2025) does not say whether code or prompts are sent to Aider's servers or used for training, and says services are hosted in the United States. The analytics page says Aider never collects code, chat messages, keys or personal info.
- Your code and prompts go to the LLM provider you choose, and Aider's pages do not describe that provider's data or training terms; check the provider's own terms.
Plans and pricing
- Aider software: $0. Open-source tool under an Apache 2.0 license. No paid tiers, seats or usage caps are listed on the pages read.
- Cloud LLM API: Varies by provider. You supply your own API key (for example OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, OpenRouter) and pay the provider for tokens. Aider does not set these prices.
- Local models: $0 in Aider fees. Connects to local runtimes such as Ollama and LM Studio; hardware and model licenses are your own responsibility.
Aider's site and docs list no pricing page, plans or subscription; the FAQ states it is open source under Apache 2.0. Costs come from the LLM provider you choose and depend on token use. Confirm provider prices on their own pricing pages.
Details checked October 2026 against the vendor's own pages. Prices and limits change, so confirm before you buy. Official pricing page ↗
Sources
This profile was compiled from these public pages. We have not run hands-on tests.
Aider — at a glance
Aider is an open-source tool that lets you pair program with large language models from the terminal, working on your local git repository. The docs also cover use in a browser, Docker, GitHub Codespaces and Replit, and it can be used from an IDE by adding comments to code.
Try Aider →