Kilo Code: Open Source Windsurf Alternatives

Kilo Code is an open-source AI coding agent for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. It integrates features from projects like Roo Code and Cline while building its own vision. The tool offers 400+ hosted models, free models, and local model support with full open-source transparency. Solo developers benefit from its multi-mode approach with planning and building capabilities.

Strengths

No commission fees - pay only provider rates for AI models
Access to 400+ hosted models including Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude 4 Sonnet & Opus, GPT-5
$20 in free credits for new users without requiring credit cards
Fully open source with no vendor lock-in
Available for both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs with 420,000+ downloads
System notifications alert users when tasks complete for smooth workflows

Weaknesses

Token-based pricing model requires monitoring usage costs
Initial free tokens require joining Discord community
Newer project compared to established alternatives
Limited documentation compared to commercial solutions

Best for

Solo developers seeking cost-effective AI coding with model flexibility and open-source transparency.

Pricing plans

Free Tier — $0/month — $20 in free credits for Claude 4 Sonnet and other models
Pay-as-you-go — Variable — Transparent pricing matching provider rates exactly

Tech details

Type: AI coding assistant extension
IDEs: VS Code, Cursor, and JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.)
Key features: Multi-mode planning with Architect, code generation, task automation, intelligent suggestions
Privacy / hosting: Open source, supports local models and BYOK (Bring Your Own Key)
Models / context window: Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude 4 Sonnet & Opus, GPT-5 - specific context windows Unknown

When to choose this over Windsurf

Need transparent pricing without commission fees
Want flexibility to use local models or bring your own API keys
Prefer fully open-source solutions with no vendor lock-in

When Windsurf may be a better fit

Need enterprise-grade support and documentation
Prefer fixed subscription pricing over token-based billing
Want established ecosystem with extensive third-party integrations

Conclusion

Kilo Code combines the best aspects of Cline and Roo Code into a single cost-effective workflow. Its open-source nature and transparent pricing model appeal to developers seeking flexibility without vendor lock-in. The generous free tier and multi-IDE support make it accessible for solo developers exploring Windsurf alternatives.