Is AI Coding Worth It? Honest Developer Guide

Developers often ask whether AI coding tools justify their cost. This guide gives an honest assessment of when they pay off and when they do not.

Quick Answer

Worth it for most developers who regularly write code—boilerplate, tests, refactors, and exploration. Marginal if you code rarely or work in highly regulated environments. Free options (Continue, Ollama, Copilot Free) let you try with no financial risk.

Where AI Coding Helps Most

Cost vs Benefit

If a tool saves even 1–2 hours per month, it usually pays for itself at typical developer rates.

When It Is Not Worth It

• You rarely code — Occasional use may not justify $10–20/month.
• Strict compliance — Regulated industries may require self-hosted or no-AI setups.
• Tight budget — Free tiers exist; avoid paid plans until you see clear value.
• Prefer full control — Some developers dislike AI suggestions; that is valid.

How to Evaluate for Yourself

1. Try a free tier — Copilot Free, Windsurf Free, or Continue + Ollama.
2. Track time — Note how long similar tasks take with and without AI.
3. Review quality — Are you fixing more bugs or introducing them?
4. Upgrade only if needed — Pro tiers add features; only pay if you use them.

Tradeoffs to Consider

Final Takeaway

For most active developers, AI coding is worth trying. Start free, measure your own productivity, and upgrade only when the value is clear. Tools like Continue and Cursor offer different tradeoffs—pick what fits your workflow. See our pricing comparison for plan details.