9 Best-In-Class AI Tools Software Developers Need to Know for 2024
2024 is upon us, so I think it’s the perfect time for us to take stock of the very best AI tools for developers that we can use to get ahead in the new year and improve our development processes.
So many new artificial intelligence (AI) tools have been released this year as large language models like ChatGPT have gathered meteoric pace. So I’ve picked out the very best tools every software developer should know about and have a play with.
1. Stepsize AI: Effortless Sprint Reporting
Stepsize AI writes perfect sprint reports for us.
Your team will thank you for introducing this time-saving (and effort-saving) tool. It writes sprint reports better than humans can, and that engineering leaders, POs and Scrum Masters adore.
It’s designed for teams using platforms like Jira or Linear.
Stepsize AI automatically creates sprint reports with the perfect amount of context and detail.
With Stepsize AI, everyone’s aligned an on the same page about product development progress.
The AI processes data from your issue tracker, forms connections between projects and tasks and uses this to surface the perfect level of context and commentary.
Key features
- Security-first approach that will please your security leaders
- Context-rich sprint reports
- Fewer time-wasting meetings
- Gets people on the same page without taking people out of their flow
- Works with Jira, Linear and soon many other issue trackers
Try it free? Yes, you can get your first report for free, and you don’t need a credit card. You’ll need permission to integrate with your issue tracker.
My view — Developers love using Stepsize AI to stay informed, and maybe more importantly, never have to write a sprint report (or be bothered for updates by the PO!) It’s great for providing the pertinent details without bombarding people with unnecessary info.
Learn more about Stepsize AI here. You can get your first sprint report for free.
2. Cody AI: Advanced Code Assistant
Cody AI accelerates our process of writing code.
If you’re not using an AI coding assistant, you’re being left behind. (And if you’re still using GitHub Copilot, that’s probably still true!) They save time, and can help you out in all kinds of ways from suggesting code to automatically generating entire files through their natural language processing capabilities, and more.
This list has a few AI coding assistants and Cody is the first. By deeply analyzing your existing code, documentation, and code graph, Cody can give you speedy and insightful responses to queries about your codebase.
Key features
- Search and analyse your codebase with natural language prompts
- Precise code navigation
- Language translation for code
- Detailed code analysis and debugging assistance
Try it free? Yes, most features are available for free with a generous rate limit.
My view — For engineers dealing with expansive codebases, Cody is a great option. It enables developersunderstand what we’re looking at, write better code faster, and ultimately allows more time for actual coding.
3. Tabnine: Established Code Assistant
Tabnine is a reliable, security-conscious AI code assistant that it’s easier to get approval for.
Now built on GPT-3.5 and having evolved over five years, Tabnine is transparent, compliant, and offers a plethora of valuable features to help us devs write code faster.
Because it’s been knocking around for a while, they’ve had time to deliver strong, trustworthy security and compliance credentials that your managers will be reassured by.
It’s not the most powerful AI coding assistant on this list, but it might be worth the trade-off to be allowed to use it!
Key features
- Reliable and secure coding assistance
- Comprehensive training data transparency
- Local out-of-the-box execution
Try it free? Yes, but it’s very limited — you just get short code completions. Whole-line and function completions are available for $12/mo/user at the time of writing.
My view — Tabnine is perfect for devs working for teams that are prioritising security and dependability over the latest tech novelties. Like its competitors, it integrates with popular IDEs (integrated development environments) seamlessly.
4. Mutable AI: Powerful Code Assistant
Mutable AI accelerates software development using AI.
Aiming to eliminate the need for repetitive boilerplate code and unnecessary searches, Mutable ensures faster and better code delivery running on proprietary AI.
It’s the youngest code assistant on this list but perhaps one of the most high-tech and performant ones, with a rapid pace of development even compared to competitors.
Key features
- Codebase chat and semantic search
- Multi-file AI edits
- Repository intelligence for bug tracking and more
Try it free? Yes, at the time of writing you get a generous number of codebase chat and search queries and file edit calls for you to give it a spin. More features unlock at $25/mo/user and $50/mo/user
My view — Mutable stands out for its superior code completion capabilities, especially over multiple files.
5. Codium AI: Test-Writing Assistant
Codium ensures your code functions as intended.
By suggesting tests during coding, Codium helps us avoid pesky errors and bugs. As you code, the AI suggests intelligent test ideas, and can write them for you. Plus, it can show you how your code changes impact the wider system.
Key features
- Intelligent test suggestions — just commit
- Insight into code behaviour
- Recommendations based on code, docstrings, and comments
Try it free? Yes, you can try all the key features for free, but you have to pay $19/mo/user at the time of writing to add tests to existing test suites, get enhanced security and a few other features.
My view — Maybe you love writing test suites, but if you’re like the average dev, it probably isn’t in your top 3 activities. And introducing a big bug by accident can probably ruin your day, and maybe your evening. Codium helps us ship with more confidence, without the hassle of painstakingly writing tests.
6. Mintlify Writer: Code Documentation Writer
Mintlify Writer writes your docs for you.
This tool should be a fan favourite. It takes all the pain out of (arguably) one of the most painful and annoying parts of engineering — writing the docs. It automates the creation of context-aware documentation, allowing more focus on the fun stuff.
Key features
- One-click comprehensive documentation
- Support for various programming languages
- Context-aware description generation
Try it free? Yes
My view — Welcome to a world where the docs write themselves. You’re very welcome.
Check out Mintlify Writer here
7. Grit.io: Code Migration Simplifier
Grit.io automates technical debt management.
Grit, currently in beta, specialises in handling tasks like code migrations and dependency upgrades. With Grit, intimidating chores turn into straightforward tasks.
Key features
- Automation of technical debt tasks
- Code migrations and upgrades
Try it free? Yes, at the moment Grit.io is in beta and is free for teams of up to 20 developers.
My view — With Grit, we no longer have to have sprints dedicated to migrations. Grit is ideal for teams juggling legacy systems or frequent code migrations. It makes it much easier to get up-to-date with technology updates without derailing ongoing projects.
8. WhatTheDiff: Code Review Optimizer
WhatTheDiff offers automated code review suggestions.
By providing automated suggestions and summaries, WhatTheDiff simplifies the intricate process of code reviews, especially for extensive codebases or regular pull requests. Plus, it’ll describe your pull requests for you.
Key features
- Instant code refactoring suggestions
- Pull request simplification
- Comprehensive reporting and notifications
Try it free? Yes, you get a quota of tokens that equates to roughly 10 PRs for free with no credit card required. Or upgrade for $19/mo for roughly 40 PRs at the time of writing.
My view — If you’re working in a high-speed development team where frequent pull requests are a fact of life, WhatTheDiff makes the process of code reviews much faster and more painless
9. Bugasura: Efficient Bug Tracker
Bugasura optimises bug reporting and resolution.
By consolidating all your bugs in one place and using AI to link similar bugs, it ensures we spend less time on bug detection and duplicate reports.
Key features
- AI-driven identification of similar bug reports
- Collaboration features like tracker links
- Contextual bug reporting add-ons
Try it free? Yes, all features are free for up to 5 users. For larger teams, it’s $5/mo/user.
My view — Bugasura is a blessing for engineers dealing with a deluge of bug reports, particularly if they use diverse sources for bug management.
That’s it.
Embracing the right AI development tools already gives savvy software developers a competitive edge. I hope you’ve found these suggestions helpful.
I’d love to know if I’ve missed any AI software for developers that you recommend.
I’ve been working on Stepsize AI, a tool that effortlessly gets people aligned through effortless sprint reporting.
You can get your first report for free (you don’t need a credit card) so I’d love to hear your feedback.
