SideCar
SideCar: A free VS Code assistant with agentic edits, inline help, and security scanning. Ranked #23 of 43 in AI Coding Assistant Extensions for VS Code by our editors (7.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for developers wanting free agentic edits and security checks.
At a glance
- Editor score7.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forDevelopers wanting free agentic edits and security checks
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Codebase contextYes
- Facts checked3 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Agent loop can edit files, run tests, and iterate on failures
- Offers inline completions, chat, multi-file edits, and Git operations
- Includes security scanning and MCP client/server support
Where it doesn't
- AST-based code context extraction is specified for a limited language set
- Hosted model providers may charge separately
- Focused on Visual Studio Code rather than other editors
Our verdict on SideCar
SideCar is an open-source AI coding assistant extension for Visual Studio Code, aimed at developers who want agent-driven code changes alongside inline help. Its agent loop can read and edit project files, run commands and tests, then iterate on failures. It also includes chat, inline completions, multi-file edit planning, Git operations, and security scanning. The product is free and supports Windows, macOS, and Linux through VS Code environments.
Its main distinction is the combination of an agent loop and code-context extraction. SideCar uses AST-based extraction for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Rust, Go, and Java/Kotlin. That defined language coverage is useful for teams working in those ecosystems, but offers less evidence of equivalent context depth for other languages. Model Arena lets developers compare multiple models, while the extension can connect to Ollama, Anthropic API, OpenAI-compatible servers, and MCP servers. MCP client/server support adds a route to tool-connected workflows without changing the editor focus.
SideCar itself is free, though hosted model providers may charge separately; local Ollama use is an option for workflows intended to run locally. This makes it worth considering for developers who want to choose between local and hosted models, and who value testing iterations, security checks, and natural-language Git operations in the editor. It is a less direct fit for people seeking an assistant for editors beyond VS Code or broader stated language-context coverage. The published feature set covers useful coding workflows, but it remains centered on the extension rather than an editor-independent development environment.
Your product? Our editors can test SideCar in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
SideCar pricing
SideCar fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Codebase context | Yes |
| Inline completions | Yes |
| Model choice | Multiple |
| Editor chat | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Visual Studio Code |
| Free AI requests | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Ollama, Anthropic API, OpenAI-compatible servers, MCP servers |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | nedonatelli.github.io |
| Facts checked | 3 Oct 2026 |
SideCar integrations
SideCar lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Ollama
- Anthropic API
- OpenAI-compatible servers
- MCP servers
Alternatives to SideCar
- Baidu ComateA broad IDE assistant spanning completions, agents, testing and multi-file edits.9.3
- Tongyi LingmaA broad coding toolkit for developers who want project-aware assistance and agent tasks.9.2
- Tencent CodeBuddyA cross-IDE coding assistant combining project-aware completion, chat, and coding agents.9.1
See all SideCar alternatives →
Used SideCar? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used SideCar for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
SideCar is listed in our AI Coding Assistant Extensions for VS Code directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/sidecar-ai-coding-assistant-extension/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/sidecar-ai-coding-assistant-extension.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update