Comparison · 2026-05-30 · 7 min read
Choosing Continue.dev vs AZMX AI
A technical breakdown of when to stick with an IDE extension and when to move to a sovereign, native agentic desktop platform.
The debate between Continue.dev and AZMX AI isn't about which one is 'better' in a vacuum, but about where you want your intelligence to live. Continue.dev is the industry standard for developers who want AI embedded directly into VS Code or JetBrains. AZMX AI is for developers who need a standalone, sovereign environment that combines a real PTY terminal, a dedicated editor, and a strict security model for autonomous agentic tasks.
The TL;DR
Choose Continue.dev if you want to augment your existing IDE experience with chat and autocomplete without changing your editor. Choose AZMX AI if you need an autonomous agent that can safely execute terminal commands, manage complex sub-agents via MCP, and run entirely offline without an account or telemetry.
Technical Comparison
| Feature | Continue.dev | AZMX AI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / Open Source | Free / Pro ($20) / Teams ($40) |
| Privacy | Local/Cloud via config | No account, no telemetry, strict deny-list |
| BYOK Support | Extensive (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) | Universal (Every major provider + local) |
| Offline Mode | Requires manual setup (Ollama/LM Studio) | Native, first-class support |
| MCP Support | Limited/Experimental | Native via stdio and HTTP |
| Approval Gates | Manual/Context-based | Mandatory for shell and file edits |
| Sub-agents | Minimal | Built-in agentic orchestration |
| Platform | IDE Extension (VS Code/JetBrains) | Native Desktop App (macOS/Win/Linux) |
| Binary Size | N/A (Extension weight) | ~7 MB Rust-based binary |
Where Continue is actually better
- IDE Integration: If your entire workflow relies on specific VS Code extensions or JetBrains keybindings, Continue is already there. You don't have to switch context to a new window.
- Ecosystem: Because it lives inside the IDE, it has immediate access to your editor's internal state and UI elements.
- Low Friction: For simple autocomplete and 'explain this code' tasks, an extension is often less overhead than launching a separate application.
Where AZMX wins
- Security and Control: AZMX AI implements a hard deny-list. It refuses to touch
.env,.ssh, or credential files by default. Every shell command and file edit requires a manual approval gate. - True Agentic Capabilities: Unlike extensions that struggle with complex system-level tasks, AZMX uses a real PTY terminal (via
portable-pty). It can run tests, debug errors in the terminal, and iterate using sub-agents via the Model Context Protocol (MCP). - Sovereignty and Privacy: There is no account to create. There is zero telemetry. It is a ~7 MB native binary that communicates only with the providers you authorize.
- Project Memory: AZMX uses
AZMX.mdto maintain persistent project context, ensuring that sub-agents understand your architecture without re-indexing the entire codebase every time. - Performance: Being a native Rust-based application rather than an Electron wrapper or a web-extension, the overhead is significantly lower, especially when handling large diffs in CodeMirror 6.
How to switch from Continue
Migrating from Continue to AZMX AI is straightforward because both platforms support the Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) philosophy. Follow this playbook:
- Audit your keys: Gather your OpenAI, Anthropic, or Groq API keys. If you use local models, ensure
ollamaorLM Studiois running. - Download AZMX: Visit azmx.ai/download and grab the binary for your OS.
- Map your context: While Continue relies on IDE indexing, AZMX uses
AZMX.md. You can start by prompting the AZMX agent to "Scan this directory and initialize AZMX.md" to build your project memory. - Configure Providers: Instead of editing a
config.jsonin a hidden IDE folder, you simply input your keys into the AZMX settings UI. No account required.
Pricing Breakdown
The cost difference is often misunderstood. Continue is free, but you pay for the tokens you use. AZMX follows a similar model but adds value through tiered professional features.
- Continue.dev: $0 (Software) + Your API usage (e.g., $20/mo for Claude 3.5 Sonnet usage).
- AZMX Free: $0 (Software) + Your API usage. Perfect for individuals.
- AZMX Pro: $20/month. Includes advanced agentic features and higher-order orchestration.
- AZMX Teams: $40/seat/month. Includes centralized project memory management and team-wide security policies.
For a team of 10 developers using high-end models, the cost is roughly identical, but AZMX provides the governance and terminal-level execution that an IDE extension cannot match.
Conclusion
If you want a smarter autocomplete, stay with Continue. If you want a sovereign AI partner that can actually run your code, manage your terminal, and respect your security boundaries, move to AZMX AI. It is free to download, fully BYOK, and requires no account. Get started at azmx.ai/download.