Agentic AI Comparison:
Continue vs Roo Code
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Introduction
This report provides a detailed comparison of Roo Code and Continue—two leading AI-powered coding assistants in 2025. The analysis covers autonomy, ease of use, flexibility, cost, and popularity, drawing on performance reviews, user feedback, and product documentation to provide a comprehensive evaluation.
Overview
Continue
Continue is an open-source, AI code assistant focused on seamless integration with popular IDEs, especially VS Code and JetBrains. It offers real-time assistance, high customizability, and support for various LLMs, all while aiming for minimal disruption to existing workflows.
Roo Code
Roo Code is an open-source extension for code editors, designed to automate repetitive coding tasks, provide tailored suggestions, and enhance productivity. It emphasizes advanced customization and supports multiple AI models, positioning itself as a powerful assistant for developers seeking workflow efficiency and flexibility.
Metrics Comparison
autonomy
Continue: 8
Continue delivers robust autonomy through seamless IDE integration and customizable AI behavior, but relies more on user input for complex tasks and can be less effective with debugging compared to Roo Code's comprehensive features.
Roo Code: 9
Roo Code demonstrates strong autonomous coding capabilities, excelling at code generation, context understanding, and handling larger codebases with improved performance. Its advanced modes (Code, Architect, Ask) further boost its autonomous features.
Roo Code edges out Continue in autonomy due to its enhanced context awareness and wider range of autonomous capabilities, especially for complex or multi-file scenarios.
ease of use
Continue: 8
Continue is praised for its smooth, native-like integration with popular IDEs and more approachable user experience. However, initial setup (especially for advanced features) and resource demands can still pose challenges.
Roo Code: 7
While Roo Code provides powerful automation and customization features, this can introduce a steeper learning curve and more involved initial setup, particularly for less experienced users.
Continue is generally easier to adopt for most users, owing to its native IDE integration and streamlined workflow, while Roo Code’s advanced features may require more upfront learning.
flexibility
Continue: 8
Continue is also highly flexible, offering customizable AI behavior and support for multiple LLMs. However, Roo Code’s deeper configuration capabilities provide it a slight advantage among power users.
Roo Code: 9
Roo Code stands out for its broad customization options, support for multiple AI models, and the ability to tailor its modes for different developer workflows. It adapts well to diverse project requirements and use cases.
Both agents are highly flexible, but Roo Code offers more advanced customization suitable for power users or those needing specific workflow adjustments, while Continue balances flexibility with ease of use.
cost
Continue: 10
Continue is also open-source, incurs no licensing fees, and enables users to self-host or bring their own model/API keys. Both options offer cost-effective solutions for individuals and teams.
Roo Code: 10
As an open-source project allowing users to bring their own API keys, Roo Code can be used for free, with costs only associated with selected LLM APIs. No proprietary licensing fees apply.
Both Roo Code and Continue are cost-effective, open-source solutions with no direct usage fees, placing them on equal footing for this metric.
popularity
Continue: 8
Continue has achieved broader adoption, particularly due to its seamless integrations with major IDEs and active community. Its reputation for reliability and accessibility contributes to higher popularity.
Roo Code: 7
Roo Code is gaining traction among developers who value powerful customization and open-source flexibility, but its user base remains somewhat smaller compared to more established tools.
Continue currently holds a stronger position in terms of user base and community engagement, reflecting its broader appeal and integration with mainstream development environments.
Conclusions
Roo Code excels in autonomy and flexibility, making it a top choice for developers who want advanced customization and in-depth control over their coding assistant. Continue, meanwhile, stands out for its superior ease of use and greater popularity, particularly among those prioritizing seamless IDE integration and straightforward setup. Both are cost-effective, open-source solutions, but the best choice depends on individual priorities: power users may prefer Roo Code, while those seeking quick adoption and community support may favor Continue.