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Zed

Fast AI code editor built for speed

4.5 Coding
4.5 Excellent 4.5

Bottom line: Zed is a top-tier coding tool, best known for native, fast editor with AI edit prediction. It has a free plan.

Open source and noticeably faster than many editors Smaller extension ecosystem than long-established editors
Reviewed by Challenging Voice Editorial · Updated Jun 2026 How we rate
PricingFrom $10/mo
Free planYes
PlatformsMac, Windows
Best forCoding
Visits1
UpdatedJun 2026
Ask AI about Zed ChatGPT Claude Perplexity

Overview

Zed is a high-performance, open-source code editor with built-in AI agents, edit prediction, and an assistant panel. It feels lighter than Electron editors and supports bringing your own models through providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Ollama. The editor is free, with paid plans adding hosted AI credits and team controls.

Key features

Pricing

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Open source and noticeably faster than many editors
  • Free plan includes a real AI allowance and BYOK

Cons

  • Smaller extension ecosystem than long-established editors
  • Hosted AI credits run out quickly on the free plan

How it compares

ToolRatingFreeFromBest known for
Zed (this tool)4.5Yes$10/moNative, fast editor with AI edit prediction
Cursor4.7Yes$20/moCodebase-aware chat
GitHub Copilot4.6Yes$10/moInline code suggestions
Aider4.6YesFreeTerminal-based editing with automatic git commits per change

Our verdict

4.5 / 5 4.5

Zed is an excellent coding tool, best known for native, fast editor with AI edit prediction. It offers a free plan, with paid upgrades from $10/mo.

What makes it different: Zed stands out for native, fast editor with AI edit prediction.

How we score it
Overall 4.5
Value for money 4.7
Feature depth 4.7
Popularity 3.7
Best for DevelopersEngineering teamsStudentsIndie hackers

Frequently asked questions

What is Zed?
Zed is a coding tool listed in the Challenging Voice directory. Fast AI code editor built for speed.
Is Zed free?
Yes, Zed offers a free plan. Paid plans unlock more features and higher usage limits, starting at $10/month.
How much does Zed cost?
Zed starts at $10 per month. See the pricing plans above for full details.
What are the best Zed alternatives?
Popular alternatives to Zed include Create.xyz, Cline, and Augment Code. Browse them all in the Coding category.
Is Zed any good?
Zed scores 4.5 out of 5 based on our editorial review.

Reviews

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