The absolute best AI coding extensions for VS Code in 2025
AI tools inside VS Code have gone way way beyond simple autocompletion.
Today you can chat with an assistant, get multi-file edits, generate tests, and even run commands straight from natural language prompts.
These are the very best AI coding extensions that will transform how you develop software forever.
1. Gemini Code Assist
Google’s Gemini Code Assist brings the Gemini model into VS Code. It stands out for its documentation awareness and Google ecosystem ties.


Why it’s great:
- Answers come with citations so you can see which docs were referenced.
- It can do code reviews, generate unit tests, and help debug.
- Works across app code and infrastructure (think Terraform, gcloud CLI, etc.).
Great for: Anyone working heavily in Google Cloud, Firebase, or Android, or who values transparent, sourced answers.
2. GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is the “classic” AI coding assistant — but it’s evolved far beyond just inline suggestions. With the main Copilot extension and Copilot Chat, you get a fully integrated agent inside VS Code.
Just see how easy it is:

Why it’s great:
- Agent and Edit modes let Copilot actually implement tasks across your files and iterate until the code works.
- Next Edit Suggestions predict your next likely change and can propose it automatically.
- Workspace-aware chat lets you ask questions about your codebase, apply edits inline, or run slash commands for refactoring.
Great for: Developers who want deep VS Code integration and a polished, “just works” AI experience.
3. Tabnine
Tabnine is all about privacy, control, and customization. It offers a fast AI coding experience without sending your proprietary code to third parties.
Look how we use it rapidly create tests for our code:

Effortless code replacement:

Why it’s great:
- Privacy first: can run self-hosted or in your VPC, and it doesn’t train on your code.
- Custom models: enterprises can train Tabnine on their own codebases.
- Versatile assistant: generates, explains, and refactors code and tests across many languages.
Great for: Teams with strict data policies or anyone who wants an AI coding assistant they can fully control.
4. Amazon Q for VS Code

Amazon Q is AWS’s take on an “agentic” coding assistant — it can read files, generate diffs, and run commands all from natural language prompts.
Why it’s great:
- Multi-step agent mode writes code, docs, and tests while updating you on its progress.
- MCP support means you can plug in extra tools and context to extend what it can do.
- Inline chat and suggestions feel native to VS Code.
Great for: AWS developers who want more than autocomplete — a true assistant that can execute tasks in your environment.
5. Windsurf Plugin (Codeium)
Some of you don’t know that Windsurf was actually Codeium before — originally just a nice VS Code extension — before becoming a full-fledged beast of an IDE.

After Windsurf came out they renamed it to this — Windsurf Plugin.
The Windsurf Plugin delivers lightning-fast completions and chat inside VS Code, plus a generous free tier.
Why it’s great:
- Unlimited free single- and multi-line completions right out of the box.
- Integrated chat for refactoring, explaining, or translating code.
- Links with the standalone Windsurf Editor for even more features.
Great for: Anyone who wants a fast, no-hassle AI coding experience.
6. Blackbox AI

Blackbox AI is one of the most popular AI coding agents in the Marketplace, designed to keep you in flow while it helps with code, docs, and debugging.
Why it’s great:
- Agent-style workflow: run commands, select files, switch models, and even connect to MCP servers for extra tools.
- Real-time code assistance: completions, documentation lookups, and debugging suggestions that feel native to VS Code.
- Understands your project: conversations and edits can reference the broader codebase, not just a single file.
- Quick start: install and start using it without a complicated setup.
Great for: Developers who want a free, quick-to-try AI agent inside VS Code that can go beyond autocomplete and interact with their workspace.
How to choose?
Best by area:
- Deep integration & agents: GitHub Copilot, Amazon Q, or Blackbox AI.
- Doc-aware answers with citations: Gemini Code Assist.
- Strict privacy and custom models: Tabnine.
- Fast and free: Windsurf Plugin.
Also consider your stack and your priorities.
- On AWS? Amazon Q makes sense.
- All-in on Google Cloud? Gemini is your friend.
- Need privacy? Tabnine is your best bet.
- Want the smoothest VS Code integration? Copilot.
- Want to try AI coding with no cost barrier? Windsurf Plugin.
If you’re not sure where to start, pick one, try it for a real project, and see how it fits your workflow. The best AI coding tool is the one that actually helps you ship code faster — without getting in your way.
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