Where to Download and Test the Best AI Software Development Agents

Introduction – Finding the Best AI Coding Assistant for Your Needs

AI coding assistants are everywhere… but how do you know which one is right for you?

Some promise full-function generation, others focus on fast auto-completion, and a few specialize in security and debugging. But let’s be honest—until you actually test them yourself, it’s hard to tell which AI development agent will fit into your workflow.

I’ve been there… reading about different AI tools, wondering if I should go with GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, Codeium, or something entirely new. Each of them has its own strengths and quirks, but the best way to know if an AI assistant is right for you? Try it out firsthand.

But where do you even download these AI coding assistants? Which ones have free trials? Which ones require a subscription? And most importantly… how do you safely install them without running into compatibility issues?

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly where to find and test the best AI software development agents, step by step. Whether you want an AI that writes entire applications (Flatlogic AI), a privacy-focused option (Tabnine), or a cloud-based powerhouse (Amazon CodeWhisperer)—I’ve got you covered.

So… ready to find your AI-powered coding partner? Let’s get started.

GitHub Copilot – How to Install and Test It

If you’ve been following AI-powered coding tools, you’ve definitely heard of GitHub Copilot. It’s one of the most powerful and widely used AI development agents, built on OpenAI Codex and deeply integrated with GitHub and VS Code. But how do you actually download and test it before committing to a paid subscription?

Let’s walk through where to get it, how to set it up, and how to make the most of your free trial.


Where to Download GitHub Copilot

Copilot is an official GitHub product, so the safest and easiest way to get it is through the GitHub website or VS Code marketplace.

🔗 Official Download Links:

If you’re using Neovim, Copilot is available but requires manual installation using the Copilot plugin.


How to Set Up Copilot in VS Code

1️⃣ Install the GitHub Copilot extension from the VS Code marketplace.
2️⃣ Sign in with your GitHub account (you’ll need GitHub Pro, Teams, or Enterprise to access Copilot).
3️⃣ Activate your free trial if you’re a new user (first-time users get 30 days free).
4️⃣ Restart VS Code and start typing—Copilot will begin suggesting code as you go.

💡 Tip: Try writing a comment like // Function to reverse a string in Python, and watch Copilot generate a full function for you in seconds.


Testing GitHub Copilot – What Can You Expect?

Once you’ve installed it, you’ll want to see if Copilot actually improves your workflow. Here are some quick ways to test it:

Try writing code from scratch – Start a new file and see how well Copilot predicts what you’re about to type.
Use comments as prompts – Copilot works surprisingly well when you describe what you want in plain English.
Check its accuracy – It generates great suggestions, but always review its code to ensure it’s correct.
See how it handles different languages – Copilot supports Python, JavaScript, Go, Rust, TypeScript, and many more.


GitHub Copilot Free Trial vs. Paid Plans

While Copilot isn’t free forever, new users can get a 30-day trial before deciding whether to subscribe.

💰 Pricing:

  • $10/month for individuals
  • $19/month per user for businesses

If you’re a student or an open-source maintainer, you may qualify for free access through GitHub’s education benefits.


Final Thoughts – Is Copilot Worth Testing?

If you’re using VS Code or JetBrains IDEs and want the most powerful AI code assistant, Copilot is definitely worth trying.

Best for: Developers who need full-function generation and work with GitHub repositories.
Not great for: Developers who need offline AI models or more control over AI-generated code (Tabnine might be better in those cases).

So… will GitHub Copilot become your new AI coding assistant? Or do you need something more private, more customizable, or completely free?

Up next, let’s look at Tabnine—an AI assistant that puts privacy and customization first.

Tabnine – How to Get Started with This Privacy-Focused AI Assistant

If GitHub Copilot is the powerful, cloud-based AI assistant, then Tabnine is the privacy-first alternative. Unlike Copilot, which processes code in the cloud, Tabnine gives you the option to run AI models locally, meaning your code never leaves your machine. If you’re working on proprietary projects, enterprise software, or just care about security, Tabnine might be the better choice.

So… how do you get started with Tabnine? Let’s go step by step.


Where to Download Tabnine

Tabnine is available for multiple IDEs and can be downloaded directly from the official website or plugin marketplaces.

🔗 Official Download Links:

One of Tabnine’s biggest advantages? It supports more IDEs than Copilot, including Eclipse, Atom, and even Vim.


How to Install and Set Up Tabnine

1️⃣ Install the Tabnine extension/plugin for your preferred IDE.
2️⃣ Sign up for a free Tabnine account (optional, but required for cloud-based AI).
3️⃣ Choose your AI model – Do you want cloud-based suggestions or an offline, local AI model?
4️⃣ Start coding – Tabnine will begin suggesting code as you type.

💡 Tip: Unlike Copilot, Tabnine lets you fine-tune how frequently AI suggestions appear and how much code it predicts.


Testing Tabnine – How Does It Perform?

Tabnine is designed for fast, lightweight auto-completion, but how well does it work in real-world coding? Here’s how to test it:

Try auto-completing a function – Start typing a function name and see if Tabnine predicts the rest.
Experiment with different IDEs – Tabnine supports more IDEs than Copilot, so test it in VS Code, JetBrains, Sublime, or even Vim.
Run it offline vs. cloud-based – Try enabling local AI processing to see if it works well without an internet connection.
Customize its behavior – Unlike Copilot, Tabnine lets you adjust AI suggestion frequency and fine-tune how it assists you.


Tabnine Free vs. Pro Plans – What’s the Difference?

Tabnine offers both a free version and a paid Pro plan.

💰 Pricing:

  • Free Plan – Basic auto-completion, limited AI model.
  • Pro Plan ($12/month) – Faster, more advanced AI predictions, plus the ability to train Tabnine on your own private codebase.

💡 Best feature of Pro? You can train Tabnine on your own repositories, making it more personalized to your coding style.


Final Thoughts – Is Tabnine Worth Testing?

Tabnine is perfect if you:
Want an AI assistant that doesn’t send your code to the cloud.
Need AI-powered auto-completion but don’t need full-function generation.
Prefer customization and local AI models over cloud-based AI like Copilot.

However, if you want an AI that can generate entire functions and full applications, GitHub Copilot might be the better choice.

So… does Tabnine sound like the right AI assistant for you? Or do you want something free, lightweight, and cloud-based instead?

Next up, let’s look at Codeium—the best free AI coding assistant available today.

Codeium – The Best Free AI Coding Assistant

If you’re looking for a powerful AI coding assistant that doesn’t cost a dime, Codeium might be exactly what you need. Unlike GitHub Copilot and Tabnine, which require paid subscriptions for full features, Codeium is completely free for individual developers—with no hidden fees or trial limitations.

But… how good is it really? Can a free AI assistant compete with paid alternatives? Let’s find out by walking through how to download, install, and test Codeium.


Where to Download Codeium

Codeium supports multiple IDEs and can be downloaded directly from their official website or IDE marketplaces.

🔗 Official Download Links:

💡 One of Codeium’s biggest strengths? It supports Jupyter Notebook, which makes it a great AI coding assistant for data scientists and machine learning engineers.


How to Install and Set Up Codeium

1️⃣ Download and install the Codeium extension/plugin for your IDE.
2️⃣ Sign up for a free account (optional—Codeium can work anonymously, but some features require an account).
3️⃣ Start typing in your IDE—Codeium will automatically suggest code completions.

💡 Tip: Codeium works instantly after installation, making it one of the easiest AI coding assistants to set up.


Testing Codeium – How Does It Compare?

Since Codeium is free, you might expect it to be limited or low-quality. But surprisingly, it performs really well for auto-completion. Here’s how to test it:

Try it on multiple languages – Codeium supports over 70 languages, more than Copilot or Tabnine.
Check speed and responsiveness – Type a few lines of code and see how quickly it predicts the next lines.
Test complex code suggestions – Unlike Copilot, Codeium doesn’t generate entire functions as often, but it does excel at inline completions.
Compare it against Copilot and Tabnine – Run a side-by-side test to see if Codeium’s predictions match your expectations.


Is Codeium Really 100% Free?

Yes! Unlike Copilot and Tabnine, Codeium is completely free for individual developers.

💰 Pricing:

  • Free for individuals – Full access with no restrictions.
  • Enterprise Plan – Paid option for companies that need custom AI models and on-premise solutions.

💡 The best part? There’s no trial period or forced upgrade—Codeium stays free as long as you’re using it personally.


Final Thoughts – Should You Try Codeium?

If you’re a developer who:
Wants an AI coding assistant but doesn’t want to pay for Copilot or Tabnine
Works in multiple languages and wants broad language support
Needs AI-assisted coding for Jupyter Notebook or data science

Then Codeium is definitely worth trying. However, if you’re looking for full-function generation like Copilot or a privacy-first local AI like Tabnine, Codeium might not be the best fit.

So… is a free AI coding assistant good enough for your workflow? Or do you need something more advanced?

Next up, let’s explore Amazon CodeWhisperer—an AI built specifically for AWS developers.

Amazon CodeWhisperer – The AI Assistant for AWS Developers

If you work with AWS services, cloud computing, or serverless applications, then Amazon CodeWhisperer might be the AI coding assistant you need. Unlike GitHub Copilot and Tabnine, which are general-purpose AI tools, CodeWhisperer is optimized for AWS—meaning it understands AWS APIs, integrates with cloud-based workflows, and even detects security vulnerabilities in your code.

But… is it only useful for AWS projects? Or can it compete with Copilot and Tabnine in general software development? Let’s walk through how to download, set up, and test CodeWhisperer.


Where to Download Amazon CodeWhisperer

Since CodeWhisperer is an Amazon product, you’ll need to enable it through AWS services or download it via your preferred IDE’s plugin marketplace.

🔗 Official Download Links:

💡 CodeWhisperer is included as part of the AWS Toolkit, so if you’re already using AWS services, setup is extremely smooth.


How to Install and Set Up CodeWhisperer

1️⃣ Download and install the AWS Toolkit for VS Code or JetBrains.
2️⃣ Sign in with your AWS account. (A free-tier account works!)
3️⃣ Enable CodeWhisperer inside your IDE settings.
4️⃣ Start typing, and CodeWhisperer will begin suggesting code completions.

💡 Tip: If you work with AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, or EC2, CodeWhisperer is especially good at generating API calls and structuring cloud-based workflows.


Testing CodeWhisperer – Where It Shines (And Where It Doesn’t)

Since CodeWhisperer is AWS-optimized, testing it should focus on cloud development scenarios. Here’s how to try it:

Write AWS-related code – Try generating a Lambda function or an S3 API call, and see how accurate its suggestions are.
Check for security vulnerabilities – CodeWhisperer includes built-in security scanning, so test it by writing a function with potential risks (like handling user input).
Test it with different languages – It supports Python, Java, JavaScript, and TypeScript, but it’s not as strong in other languages like Rust or C++.
Compare it to Copilot – For general-purpose coding, Copilot might still be better, but for AWS-specific workflows, CodeWhisperer wins.


Amazon CodeWhisperer Free vs. Enterprise Plans

One of the biggest perks of CodeWhisperer? It has a free tier for individual developers!

💰 Pricing:

  • Free Plan – Unlimited access for personal use.
  • Enterprise Plan – Custom pricing for teams that need security compliance and integration with internal AWS services.

💡 If you’re already using AWS, CodeWhisperer is a no-brainer—especially since it doesn’t require a subscription like Copilot.


Final Thoughts – Who Should Use CodeWhisperer?

If you:
Regularly build AWS-based applications
Work with Lambda, DynamoDB, EC2, or S3
Want a free alternative to Copilot that integrates with AWS

Then CodeWhisperer is definitely worth testing. However, if you don’t work with AWS, it might not be as useful as Copilot or Tabnine for general coding tasks.

So… is CodeWhisperer your perfect AI assistant or just an AWS-specific tool? If you need something that can generate full applications, Flatlogic AI might be more interesting—let’s check it out next!

Flatlogic AI – How to Build Full-Stack Apps with AI

Most AI coding assistants, like GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, and CodeWhisperer, are great at completing code snippets and writing functions—but what if you need an AI that can generate an entire full-stack application for you?

That’s where Flatlogic AI comes in. Unlike other AI development agents, Flatlogic doesn’t just write code—it builds full web applications, including the frontend, backend, and database. If you’re a startup, solo developer, or business looking to launch an app fast, this could be a game-changer.

So… how do you use Flatlogic AI to generate a fully functional app? Let’s dive in.


Where to Access Flatlogic AI

Flatlogic isn’t a traditional AI coding assistant that you install in your IDE. Instead, it’s a web-based AI platform that lets you generate full-stack applications directly from your browser.

🔗 Official Website:

💡 Unlike Copilot or Codeium, Flatlogic doesn’t just help you write code—it builds an entire project structure for you.


How to Generate a Full-Stack Web App with Flatlogic AI

1️⃣ Go to the Flatlogic AI App Builder and create a free account.
2️⃣ Describe the app you want – For example: “A task management app with user authentication and a dashboard.”
3️⃣ Choose your tech stack – Flatlogic supports:
Frontend: React, Angular, Vue.js
Backend: Node.js, Python, .NET
Database: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Firebase
4️⃣ Click “Generate” – Flatlogic will create a full-stack app with:
Frontend UI components
Backend logic & authentication
Database schema & API integrations
5️⃣ Download your project and start customizing!

💡 Tip: You can also integrate Flatlogic AI apps with third-party APIs, authentication systems, and cloud services to expand functionality.


Testing Flatlogic AI – What Can You Expect?

Test the generated codebase – Download the project and check how well it’s structured.
Run the app locally – See how quickly you can get an MVP (minimum viable product) up and running.
Compare it with manual coding – Flatlogic AI saves weeks of work, but does it match the quality of hand-coded apps?
Customize the AI-generated code – See how easy it is to modify and extend.

💡 Best Use Case: If you need a business app, admin panel, or SaaS product fast, Flatlogic can jumpstart development in minutes.


Flatlogic AI Pricing – Free vs. Paid Plans

Unlike Copilot or Codeium, which focus on code suggestions, Flatlogic is a full-stack app builder, so its pricing is structured differently.

💰 Pricing:

  • Free Plan – Limited AI-generated applications.
  • Paid Plans – Custom pricing based on project complexity and additional features.

💡 If you just need an AI to assist with coding, Copilot or Tabnine might be better—but if you want AI to build an entire web app for you, Flatlogic is a unique tool.


Final Thoughts – Who Should Use Flatlogic AI?

If you’re a:
Startup founder or solo developer who needs a working app ASAP
Business looking to create a SaaS product or internal tool without hiring a full dev team
Developer who wants AI to do more than just complete code snippets

Then Flatlogic AI is worth testing.

However, if you prefer writing all your code manually and just need an AI to help with suggestions, Copilot or Tabnine might be a better fit.

So… do you want an AI that helps you code, or one that builds the entire app for you?

Next, let’s look at other emerging AI coding tools worth testing in 2025.

Other AI Development Agents – What’s Emerging in 2025?

GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, Codeium, Amazon CodeWhisperer, and Flatlogic AI are some of the most well-known AI coding assistants today… but the AI development space is evolving fast. New AI-powered tools are launching, offering different approaches to code generation, debugging, optimization, and even full-scale software automation.

So, what other AI tools should be on your radar in 2025 and beyond? Let’s take a look.


1. DeepCode – AI for Security and Code Quality

🔹 What It Does:
DeepCode is an AI-driven static analysis tool that helps developers find security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and logical errors in their code.

🔹 Why It’s Interesting:
✅ Uses AI to analyze entire codebases for security risks.
✅ Works with JavaScript, Python, Java, and TypeScript.
✅ Integrated with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.

🔗 Where to Try It: https://www.deepcode.ai

💡 Best For: Developers and teams who need AI-powered security scanning alongside their coding workflow.


2. Replit Ghostwriter – AI for Browser-Based Coding

🔹 What It Does:
Ghostwriter is Replit’s AI-powered coding assistant, built specifically for browser-based coding. Unlike Copilot or Tabnine, which focus on local development environments, Ghostwriter is optimized for Replit’s cloud-based IDE.

🔹 Why It’s Interesting:
✅ Designed for collaborative coding and cloud-based development.
✅ Supports over 50 languages.
✅ No installation needed—just open Replit and start coding.

🔗 Where to Try It: https://replit.com

💡 Best For: Developers who want an AI-powered coding experience in the cloud without installing anything.


3. Cursor AI – AI-Powered Pair Programming

🔹 What It Does:
Cursor AI is an emerging AI tool designed to act like a real-time AI coding partner, similar to pair programming with another developer.

🔹 Why It’s Interesting:
✅ More interactive and conversational than traditional AI coding assistants.
✅ Can debug, refactor, and explain code in real time.
✅ Integrated with VS Code and JetBrains.

🔗 Where to Try It: https://cursor.sh

💡 Best For: Developers who like real-time AI collaboration and want an AI that does more than just auto-complete code.


4. PolyCoder – Open-Source AI for Developers Who Want More Control

🔹 What It Does:
PolyCoder is an open-source AI model for code generation, designed as an alternative to proprietary AI assistants like Copilot and Codeium.

🔹 Why It’s Interesting:
✅ Completely open-source, meaning you can modify and train it yourself.
✅ Runs locally, so you don’t need an internet connection.
✅ Supports multiple programming languages.

🔗 Where to Try It: https://github.com/PolyCoderAI

💡 Best For: Developers who want full control over AI models and don’t want to rely on cloud-based solutions.


5. ChatGPT (Yes, Me!) – AI for General Coding Assistance

🔹 What It Does:
Okay, I’m not just a coding assistant, but I can still help write, debug, and explain code—kind of like having a coding mentor on demand.

🔹 Why I’m Useful:
✅ I can explain complex programming concepts in simple terms.
✅ I generate code snippets, scripts, and algorithms in multiple languages.
✅ I can help debug and optimize code, just like a real programming assistant.

💡 Best For: Developers who need a mix of coding help, explanations, and AI-generated code without installing anything.