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PearAI
Open-source AI code editor built on VS Code with no lock-in
Free plan Free trial Claimed Self-hosted
About PearAI
PearAI is an open-source VS Code fork with AI chat, inline edits, and autocomplete, offering bring-your-own-key model support and an optional $15/month hosted Pro plan.
PearAI is a Y Combinator-backed open-source code editor that brings modern AI coding features into a familiar VS Code environment. Because it is a fork of VS Code and Continue, developers keep their existing extensions and workflows while gaining AI chat, inline edits, autocomplete, and codebase-aware context. The editor is designed around transparency and no lock-in. Developers can bring their own API keys for frontier models like Claude, GPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek, or run local models through Ollama. A hosted PearAI Pro plan bundles frontier model access for those who prefer not to manage keys and billing separately. Released under the Apache 2.0 license, PearAI is developed by a small team with an active open-source contributor community. It appeals to developers who want the capabilities of commercial AI editors but value openness, extensibility, and control over which models power their workflow.
TL;DR
PearAI is an open-source, VS Code-based AI code editor with bring-your-own-key model support and an optional low-cost hosted Pro plan.
Company overview
PearAI is a Y Combinator-backed, seed-funded project founded to offer an open-source alternative to proprietary AI code editors. It is built by a small team with a thriving open-source contributor community.
The product forks VS Code and Continue to deliver AI features while preserving the familiarity and extensibility developers already rely on. Its philosophy centers on transparency, extensibility, and freedom from vendor lock-in.
Product features
PearAI provides AI chat, inline edits, autocomplete, codebase context, and agent generation inside a VS Code-based editor. Developers can bring their own keys for Claude, GPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek, or run local models through Ollama.
The free editor includes all core features under Apache 2.0, while the Pro plan bundles frontier model access for a flat monthly fee. The extension ecosystem and settings from VS Code carry over, easing adoption.
Target market
PearAI targets individual developers, open-source advocates, and privacy-conscious coders who want capable AI tooling without lock-in. It is less suited to enterprises that need managed governance, SSO, and team collaboration features.
Buyer personas
End users
Developers who code in VS Code and want AI assistance with model choice.
Buyers
Typically the individual developer, since adoption is bottom-up and free.
Key influencers
Open-source communities and developer advocates.
Ideal customer profile
Individual and small-team developers who value openness and want to control which models power their editor.
Funding & performance
Y Combinator-backed and seed-funded; verify current details with the vendor or public sources.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Fully open source under Apache 2.0
- Familiar VS Code base and extension ecosystem
- Bring-your-own-key across major model providers
- Supports local models via Ollama
- Free self-hosted editor with all core features
- Affordable $15/month hosted Pro option
Cons
- Smaller team than commercial competitors
- No dedicated team-collaboration tier
- Fewer polished enterprise features
- BYO-key setup adds friction for beginners
- Roadmap depends on a small core team
Pricing plans
Open Source
$0 / month
- Full editor
- AI chat and inline edits
- Autocomplete and codebase context
- Bring your own key
- Local models via Ollama
Pro
$15 / month
- Bundled frontier model access
- No key management
- All editor features
Key features
Self-hosted
Multi-language
Integrations
Claude, OpenAI, Gemini, DeepSeek, Ollama
Input types
text
Output types
text
Best For
AI-assisted coding, Local model workflows, VS Code users
Compare key features
View all alternatives →Feature
PearAI
LiteLLM
Hugging Face
Pricing
Freemium
Freemium
Freemium
Free plan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Free trial
Yes
No
No
API
No
Yes
Yes
Self-hosted
Yes
Yes
No
Team support
No
Yes
Yes
Frequently asked questions
Is PearAI really open source?+
Yes. PearAI is released under the Apache 2.0 license and is a fork of VS Code and Continue, with an active contributor community.
Do I need to pay to use PearAI?+
No. The full editor is free with bring-your-own-key. The optional Pro plan at $15/month bundles hosted frontier model access.
Which models does PearAI support?+
You can use Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and local models through Ollama.
Can I keep my VS Code extensions?+
Yes. Because PearAI is a VS Code fork, most extensions and settings carry over.
Is PearAI an alternative to Cursor?+
It positions itself as an open-source alternative to Cursor and Windsurf, offering similar AI features with transparency and no lock-in.
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