If you’re a developer in 2025 looking for an honest qodo ai review, you’ve come to the right place. You’re probably already using an AI coding assistant. GitHub Copilot is fantastic, but let’s be honest: it can feel like a “one-size-fits-all” solution. You’re locked into Microsoft’s ecosystem, and you might worry about sending sensitive code to an external server.
But recently, a new name has been exploding on Google Trends: Qodo AI. It’s not just another Copilot clone; it’s a powerful “breakout” tool designed from the ground up for flexibility and privacy.
So, is Qodo AI just hype, or is it the powerful, privacy-focused assistant you’ve been waiting for? I’ve analyzed the tool, its features, and what real users are saying. Here is my full Qodo AI review.
Table of Contents
What is Qodo AI? (The TL;DR)
In short, Qodo AI is a next-generation AI coding assistant that integrates directly into your VS Code editor. It provides AI chat, inline editing, and code autocompletion, just like Copilot.
The key difference? Flexibility. Unlike Copilot, Qodo isn’t locked to one AI model. You can switch between top models like GPT-4o and Claude 3 Opus. Even better, it’s one of the best tools for running 100% local LLMs (like Llama 3) via Ollama, giving you insane speed and total privacy.
The Verdict: For developers who demand control, privacy, and the ability to use different AI models, Qodo AI is a serious contender and arguably better than Copilot for power users.
You can try Qodo AI directly on their website.
Qodo AI Key Features: Why Is It So Popular?
Qodo isn’t just “exploding” for no reason. Its popularity comes from solving the main problems developers have with older AI assistants.
1. Multi-Model Support (You Have Control)
This is the biggest win. You are not stuck in one ecosystem. Qodo AI lets you connect to and switch between the industry’s best models, including:
- OpenAI: GPT-4o, GPT-4 Turbo
- Anthropic: Claude 3 Opus, Sonnet, & Haiku
- Google: Gemini 1.5 Pro
This means you can use Claude 3 for a creative refactoring task and then switch to GPT-4o for complex logical problem-solving, all within the same editor.
2. Full Local LLM Support (Total Privacy & Speed)
This is the feature driving the “best local llm for coding” trend. Qodo integrates perfectly with Ollama, allowing you to run open-source models like Llama 3 or Phi-3 directly on your own machine.
Why this matters:
- Total Privacy: Your proprietary code never leaves your laptop. This is critical for corporate codebases or sensitive projects.
- Insane Speed: With no network latency, responses for code completion and chat are practically instantaneous.
- Offline Mode: You can code with a powerful AI assistant on a plane, in a cafe, or anywhere with a bad internet connection.
3. Deep VS Code Integration
Qodo doesn’t just add a chat window. It deeply integrates into the VS Code workflow:
- AI Chat: Ask questions about your entire codebase.
- Inline Editing: Highlight a block of code and give a prompt like “refactor this function” or “add error handling”.
- Code Autocompletion: It provides intelligent, context-aware code suggestions as you type.
Qodo AI vs. Copilot vs. Cursor (Comparison)
The biggest question is: “Should I switch?” Based on my research, here is how Qodo AI stacks up against its main competitors, GitHub Copilot and Cursor IDE.
| Feature | Qodo AI | GitHub Copilot | Cursor IDE |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Model | Multi-Model (GPT-4o, Claude 3, etc.) | Locked (OpenAI / Microsoft Models) | Multi-Model (GPT-4, Claude 3) |
| Local LLM Support | Yes (via Ollama) | No | Yes (but more limited) |
| Editor | VS Code Extension | VS Code Extension | Separate, Forked Editor |
| Privacy | Highest (with Local LLM) | Standard (Sends code to server) | High (with Local LLM) |
| Best For | Privacy & Model Flexibility | Simplicity & General Use | AI-First, Codebase-Aware Chat |
Qodo AI Pricing: Is the Free Plan Worth It?
Yes. Qodo AI has a fantastic freemium model that’s very clear. The pricing revolves around “credits” which are used for their premium AI Code Review features.
Based on their official pricing page, here is the breakdown for individuals and teams:
- Developer Plan ($0 / month): This is the 100% free plan perfect for individual developers. It gives you 75 credits per month to test and use their premium plugin features (like IDE code review).
- Teams Plan ($30 / user / month): This is aimed at professional teams, offering more credits (2,500 per user) and dedicated support.
The Verdict on Pricing: The free Developer Plan is more than enough to get started. The core strategy of using Local LLMs (via Ollama) and BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) to connect to models like GPT-4o is likely included in this free plan, allowing you to use your own resources without spending credits. The 75 free credits are a bonus to try their automated “Code Review” features.
Pros and Cons of Qodo AI
Pros (What I Like)
- Ultimate Flexibility: You are not locked into one AI model.
- Total Privacy: The Local LLM support is a game-changer for corporate use.
- Incredible Speed: Local models are instantaneous.
- Great Free Plan: The free tier is fully functional for Local LLM and BYOK users.
Cons (What Could Be Better)
- Newer Tool: As a “breakout” tool, it’s not as mature as Copilot and may have fewer (or different) bugs.
- Slightly More Setup: Connecting to Ollama requires a small, one-time setup (unlike Copilot which “just works”).
Qodo AI Review: Final Verdict & Conclusion
After this full Qodo AI review, my verdict is clear.
You should NOT use Qodo AI if:
- You are an absolute beginner and want the simplest, “one-button” AI tool. Just stick with GitHub Copilot.
You SHOULD definitely try Qodo AI if:
- You are a power user who wants to switch between GPT-4o and Claude 3.
- You are a developer who is serious about privacy and wants to use Local LLMs.
- You work at a company with a strict policy against sending code to third-party servers.
- You are tired of network lag and want instantaneous AI responses.
Qodo AI is the answer for developers who felt “locked in” by Copilot. It’s the logical next step in AI coding assistants, built around control and privacy.