Claude Code
GoodAnthropic's coding agent for the terminal, editor and web.
Which AI coding agent should a beginner use?
The leading AI coding agents, Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, Cursor's agent, GitHub Copilot and Gemini CLI, can all read a project, edit files and run commands for you. They trade places on quality every few months, so pick by price and where you like to work, terminal or editor. Gemini CLI and GitHub Copilot have the most generous free tiers. Use Git so you can undo anything an agent does.
Sites last checked 16 Oct 2026. How we test
No single pick here. Each option below has its own report card.
Options
OpenAI Codex
GoodOpenAI's coding agent, included with ChatGPT plans.
Cursor
GoodVS Code with AI woven through it.
GitHub Copilot
GoodAI in VS Code and GitHub, with a free tier.
Gemini CLI
GoodGoogle's terminal agent with a generous free tier.
Good to know
- We make no pick here because IsLegit is built with help from one of these tools, and we would rather not judge ourselves.
- Before an agent runs, commit your work in Git. After it runs, read the diff before you keep it.
- Usage-billed plans can run up costs fast. Set a monthly limit on day one.