Aider review
Capable in the terminal, but the workflow asks too much of the user to make the shortlist.
Tested score
6.9/10
- Task completion·25%6.9
- Code quality·20%7.1
- Speed·15%7.0
- Value for money·15%7.5
- Learning curve·15%6.3
- Team & security·10%6.2
Weights are fixed for the whole category and published in How we test.
The verdict
Cut this cycle: Aider is genuinely capable for terminal-native developers, but the workflow demands enough manual driving that it lands below the shortlist bar for a general buyer.
Who this is wrong for
- You want an in-editor or agentic experience rather than a terminal loop.
Aider Open source — $0
Commission-earning link. Score was locked on 16 Jul 2026, before terms were checked.
The test log
Same 12 tasks run against every agent in this category
| # | Task | Result | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fix an N+1 query in the orders report | Passed | 18m | Works, but the terminal-first loop is slower to drive. |
Showing 1 of 12
Pricing at time of testing
checked 16 Jul 2026Open source
$0
You pay your model provider directly
What we testedTested by aitools.reviews
Tested · 6.9/10
AI coding agents · Jul 2026
Vendors scoring 7.5+ may embed this badge. It carries the score and the date — and it updates when we re-test.