Choosing Your First AI Coding Tool
A no-nonsense comparison to help you pick the right tool for your situation
The Short Answer
If you've never coded before and just want to get started as fast as possible:
- Want to build websites and apps with minimal setup? Start with Bolt or Lovable — they run in your browser, no installation needed.
- Want to learn coding while building? Start with Cursor — it's the most beginner-friendly code editor with AI.
- Already use VS Code? Add GitHub Copilot — it integrates seamlessly.
- Prefer working in a terminal? Try Claude Code — it's powerful and flexible.
Don't overthink this choice. You can always switch later. The best tool is the one that gets you building today.
The Three Categories
AI coding tools fall into three broad categories. Understanding these helps you choose:
1. Browser-Based Builders
What they are: You describe what you want in chat, and the tool generates a complete project in your browser. No installation required.
Best for: Complete beginners, quick prototypes, people who want results fast.
| Tool | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt | Limited free usage | Full-stack web apps from a description |
| Lovable | Limited free usage | Beautiful web apps with less effort |
| v0 | Limited free usage | UI components and designs |
| Replit Agent | Free tier available | Learning and quick prototyping |
Pros:
- Zero setup — works in your browser
- See results immediately
- Great for getting a project started
Cons:
- Less control over the code
- Free tiers are limited
- Harder to customize deeply
2. AI Code Editors
What they are: Desktop applications where you write code, with an AI assistant built in that can suggest, generate, and explain code.
Best for: People who want to learn coding while building, and anyone who plans to code regularly.
| Tool | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Cursor | Free tier, Pro $20/mo | Best overall AI coding experience |
| Windsurf | Free tier, Pro $15/mo | Strong alternative to Cursor |
Pros:
- Full control over your code
- Great for learning how code actually works
- Can handle larger, more complex projects
- AI understands your full project context
Cons:
- Requires installation and some setup
- Slightly steeper learning curve
- Subscription cost for full features
3. AI Extensions & CLI Tools
What they are: Add-ons for existing code editors, or command-line tools that bring AI capabilities to your workflow.
Best for: People who already have a preferred editor or want maximum flexibility.
| Tool | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | Free for students, $10/mo | VS Code users, GitHub integration |
| Claude Code | Usage-based pricing | Terminal-based AI coding |
| Cline | Free (open source) | VS Code extension with agent capabilities |
| Continue | Free (open source) | Customizable AI coding in any editor |
Pros:
- Works with editors you already know
- Often more affordable or free
- Highly customizable
Cons:
- Requires more setup
- May need to configure separately
- Less "magical" out-of-the-box experience
How to Decide
Ask yourself these questions:
"Do I want to build something RIGHT NOW?"
If yes: Bolt or Lovable. Open your browser, describe what you want, and have a working project in minutes. You can always move to a more powerful tool later.
"Do I want to learn to code?"
If yes: Cursor. It's the best balance of AI assistance and actually understanding what's happening. The AI helps you, but you see the code and learn from it.
"Am I already a developer?"
If yes: GitHub Copilot (if you use VS Code) or Claude Code (if you prefer the terminal). These integrate into workflows you already know.
"I'm on a tight budget"
These are genuinely free options:
- Bolt / Lovable / v0 — limited free tiers
- Cline — fully free, open source
- Continue — fully free, open source
- GitHub Copilot — free for students and open-source maintainers
Our Recommendation for This Learning Path
For this learning path, we'll use examples from Cursor because:
- It has a generous free tier
- It's the most beginner-friendly editor with AI
- It teaches you real coding skills while AI assists you
- It works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
- It's based on VS Code, so skills transfer to the most popular editor
However, you can follow along with any tool. The concepts we teach — how to talk to AI, how to think about problems, how to debug — work with every tool listed above.
One More Thing: Don't Worry About Choosing Wrong
The AI coding landscape changes fast. New tools launch every month. The tool that's best today might not be best next year.
What doesn't change is the skill of working with AI. The prompting techniques, the debugging mindset, the way you break problems into smaller pieces — these skills transfer to any tool.
So pick something, start building, and adjust as you go. That's what every successful developer does.
What's Next
In the next lesson, we'll walk through setting up your environment step by step. Whether you chose Cursor, Copilot, or something else, we've got you covered.