Why developers are choosing Kilo Code for JetBrains IDEs
Open source. 400+ AI models. Pay-as-you-go. Advanced agent modes. All in your favorite JetBrains IDE.
Quick Comparison
| Kilo Code | JetBrains AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $0/month + Pay for AI Usage at Cost | $100-720/year + Limited bundled usage |
| AI Models | 400+ | ~5 |
| Agent Modes | Orchestrator, Architect, Code, Debug, Ask | Code / Ask only |
| Open Source |
One tool. Five specialized agents.
Kilo Code allows you to orchestrate agents that work together to build complete features from architecture to deployment.
Agentic Engineering
Glide through your workflow with a mode for every step
Ask mode
A knowledgeable technical assistant focused on answering questions without changing your codebase
Open Pricing
Free forever. Pay-as-you-go for AI at cost. Zero markup.
JetBrains AI charges $8.90-14.90/month whether you use it or not
Open Source
View the code. Extend it. Audit it. See exactly how it works.
JetBrains AI Assistant is proprietary closed-source software
Open Model Choice
Claude, GPT-5.2, Gemini, Llama, and 400+ more. Switch anytime.
JetBrains AI limits you to ~5 models
Why developers choose Kilo Code over JetBrains AI
More models. More modes. More control. Better pricing.
Multi-Agent Orchestration
Orchestrator mode breaks down complex projects into subtasks managed by specialized agents. Junie only has one speed.
Cross-Platform
Use Kilo in JetBrains IDEs, VS Code, and CLI. JetBrains AI only works in JetBrains products.
Open Model Choice
Choose from 400+ AI models for any task. JetBrains AI locks you to ~5 models.
Autonomous Workflows
Agents execute multi-step tasks independently with automatic error recovery. No constant hand-holding required.
Open Source
View the code. Extend the agents. Audit everything. JetBrains AI is a proprietary black box.
CLI Support
Run Kilo directly in your terminal. Perfect for servers, CI/CD, and headless environments.
Kilo Code for Your JetBrains IDE
Learn more about Kilo Code for your specific IDE
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Complete Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See exactly what you gain by switching to Kilo Code
Core Capabilities
| Feature | JetBrains AI | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
Basic code completion | ||
Multi-line suggestions | ||
Chat interface | ||
Model selection | Limited | Open |
Orchestrator mode | ||
Architect mode | ||
Debug mode | ||
Automatic context search | Limited | |
Code review | Basic | Advanced |
AI Models
| Feature | JetBrains AI | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
Number of models | ~5 | 400+ |
Model selection | Limited | Open |
Bring your own keys | Limited | Open |
Local models (Ollama, LM Studio) | Limited |
IDE Support
| Feature | JetBrains AI | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
IntelliJ IDEA | ||
PhpStorm | ||
WebStorm | ||
Rider | ||
PyCharm | ||
VS Code support | ||
CLI support |
Teams and Enterprise Features
| Feature | JetBrains AI | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
Centralized billing | ||
Usage analytics | Basic | Expansive |
Role-based permissions | Limited | |
Data collection controls | Limited | |
Shared custom modes | ||
Model limiting |
Pricing
| Feature | JetBrains AI | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
IDE plugin | Bundled | Free & Open |
Monthly subscription (individual) | $8.90-14.90 | $0 |
Monthly subscription (business/teams) | Varies | $15 |
AI usage fee | Bundled (limited) | Open (at cost) |
Markup on AI costs | Unknown | 0% |
Advanced Features
| Feature | JetBrains AI | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
MCP support | ||
Codebase indexing | ||
Memory bank | ||
Parallel agents in CLI | ||
Custom modes | ||
Automatic error recovery | ||
Deployment |
Privacy & Security
| Feature | JetBrains AI | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
SSO/SAML | Enterprise | Enterprise |
Code used for training | Optional | Never |
Data sharing with providers | Yes | Open choice |
Local model support | Limited | |
Open source |
Switch in under 5 minutes
No complicated setup. No vendor lock-in. No risk.
Install Kilo Code Plugin
Install from the JetBrains Marketplace in one click. Works with all JetBrains IDEs.
Choose Your Models
Pick from 400+ models or use your existing API keys. Start with our recommendations.
Start Building
Everything works instantly. Try the agent modes to see what you've been missing.
Ready to upgrade your JetBrains AI experience?
Join 1M+ developers who've already started with Kilo