Java, with its vast ecosystem and versatility, is a go-to language for building complex applications—but it comes with its own challenges. From navigating the intricacies of libraries and frameworks to maintaining clean and efficient code, the demands can be overwhelming.
That’s where AI-powered coding tools come in. These tools act like a supercharged assistant, streamlining tedious tasks, suggesting improvements, and helping you focus on what matters: writing great code. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned Java developer, the right AI tool can save you time, improve code quality, and even boost your learning curve.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the 13 best Java AI coding tools, including both free and paid options. These tools are carefully selected to suit different needs, from debugging and refactoring to full-fledged code reviews. Let’s dive in and find the one that fits your workflow.
1. Bito
Bito is an AI-powered coding assistant designed to streamline the development process for Java developers. It excels in understanding the context of your entire codebase, offering context-aware suggestions, and automating code reviews directly within your IDE. Whether you’re refactoring code or debugging an issue, Bito provides practical and actionable insights that save you time and effort.
Key features
- Context-aware code suggestions: Understands the entire codebase for precise recommendations.
- AI-driven code completion: Offers smart predictions based on your coding style.
- Automated code reviews: Can identify bugs, code smells, vulnerabilities, and other critical issues in code diff and provide fixes.
- IDE integration: Works seamlessly with VS Code and JetBrains IDEs.
- Real-time debugging help: Offers solutions for common errors and code improvements.
- Multi-language support: Besides Java it supports Python, JavaScript, and more.
Pricing details
Bito offers a 14-day free trial of its premium plan, priced at $15 per user per month thereafter.
2. GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot, powered by OpenAI, offers context-aware code suggestions for Java, making it a favorite among developers for quick prototyping and efficient coding.
Key features
- Code completions: Generates entire code snippets.
- Documentation generation: Creates comments and descriptions.
- IDE support: Works with IntelliJ IDEA and VS Code.
- Error reduction: Highlights and suggests fixes for issues.
Pricing details
Starting at $10 per month.
3. Tabnine
Tabnine is a popular AI-powered code completion tool for Java developers. It predicts your next lines of code as you type, significantly reducing keystrokes and boosting productivity.
Key features
- AI-driven code completion: Offers smart predictions based on your coding style.
- Customizable models: Tailored to your project and coding practices.
- Multi-language support: Supports Java and over 20 other languages.
- IDE compatibility: Works with IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and other popular IDEs.
- Cloud or local setup: Choose between cloud-based or local processing for privacy.
Pricing details
Starting at $12 per user per month.
4. CodeT5
CodeT5 and CodeT5+ are open source LLM models for code generation and understanding, helping Java developers write and refactor code efficiently.
Key features
- Code completion: Generates accurate code snippets.
- Refactoring suggestions: Recommends better ways to structure code.
- Natural language support: Converts comments into code and vice versa.
- Error handling: Suggests fixes for bugs in your code.
- Custom model training: Adaptable to your specific projects.
Pricing details
Open-source and free to use.
5. JetBrains AI
JetBrains AI is an AI-powered coding assistant integrated into JetBrains IDEs. It provides intelligent suggestions and context-aware assistance to streamline development processes, making it particularly useful for Java developers who rely on JetBrains’ popular tools like IntelliJ IDEA.
Key features
- Smart code completion: Provides AI-enhanced suggestions tailored to your code context.
- Error detection and fixes: Highlights errors and offers quick fixes to save debugging time.
- Code refactoring: Suggests improvements for cleaner and more maintainable code.
- Documentation assistance: Generates documentation snippets to save effort.
- Seamless integration: Works natively within JetBrains IDEs for a smooth user experience.
Pricing details
Included with JetBrains subscription plans; no extra cost for the AI assistant.
6. Amazon CodeWhisperer
Amazon CodeWhisperer is a machine learning-based coding companion designed to assist in writing Java and other programming languages. It is particularly beneficial for developers working with AWS services.
Key features
- Contextual code suggestions: Delivers accurate recommendations based on your coding patterns.
- Security insights: Highlights potential vulnerabilities in your code.
- AWS integration: Provides suggestions tailored for AWS APIs and SDKs.
- Multi-language support: Works across multiple programming languages, including Java.
- Cloud integration: Easily integrates with cloud-based development workflows.
Pricing details
Free for individual use; paid plans available for teams starting at $19/month per user.
7. Codeium
Codeium is an AI-powered code generator and autocomplete tool that enhances productivity for Java developers. Its lightweight design ensures fast responses without compromising on quality.
Key features
- Real-time code autocomplete: Generates context-aware code snippets instantly.
- Bug detection: Identifies potential issues while you code.
- Cross-editor compatibility: Works with multiple IDEs, including VS Code and IntelliJ.
- Customizable suggestions: Adapts to your coding style over time.
- Offline mode: Provides local support without requiring constant internet connectivity.
Pricing details
Free for personal use; team pricing starts at $10/month per user.
8. Cody
Cody, developed by Sourcegraph, is a powerful AI assistant for code comprehension and navigation. It’s ideal for Java developers handling large codebases.
Key features
- Code search: Enables quick search through extensive codebases.
- Code explanations: Explains complex code logic in simple terms.
- Code review assistance: Helps streamline code review processes with insights.
- Integration: Works seamlessly with Sourcegraph for efficient collaboration.
- Custom prompts: Supports tailored AI prompts for specific coding tasks.
Pricing details
Free basic plan; advanced features available with Sourcegraph’s enterprise plan.
9. FauxPilot
FauxPilot is an open-source alternative to GitHub Copilot, offering AI-driven coding assistance for Java and other programming languages. It’s especially appealing for developers seeking customizable solutions.
Key features
- Code autocompletion: Provides real-time coding suggestions.
- Self-hosted: Allows developers to host the tool locally for maximum privacy.
- Customizable models: Enables the use of tailored AI models.
- Language support: Works with multiple programming languages, including Java.
- Community-driven: Backed by a growing open-source community.
Pricing details
Free to use as an open-source tool.
10. Tabby
Tabby is an AI coding assistant designed for simplicity and speed. It provides on-demand help to Java developers looking for efficient code generation and completion.
Key features
- Lightweight design: Offers fast suggestions with minimal system resource usage.
- Code snippet generation: Helps quickly generate boilerplate or repetitive code.
- Syntax support: Works well with Java-specific syntax and frameworks.
- Offline capability: Functions without internet connectivity.
- Cross-IDE support: Compatible with popular editors like VS Code.
Pricing details
Free to use.
11. CodeGeeX
CodeGeeX is a multilingual AI-powered coding assistant developed to simplify Java coding tasks. It excels in generating and completing code efficiently.
Key features
- Multilingual support: Handles 15+ programming languages, including Java.
- Code optimization: Suggests performance-enhancing code adjustments.
- Intelligent autocompletion: Adapts suggestions based on your coding habits.
- Code translation: Converts code between programming languages.
- Cloud compatibility: Integrates easily into cloud-based workflows.
Pricing details
Free for individual use; enterprise plans available upon request.
12. AskCodi
AskCodi is an AI-based developer tool designed to simplify coding workflows by offering contextual suggestions and debugging assistance.
Key features
- Query-based assistance: Responds to developer questions with relevant code snippets.
- Code suggestions: Provides autocomplete suggestions for Java and other languages.
- Bug resolution: Identifies and suggests fixes for common coding errors.
- IDE integration: Works within popular IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA.
- Code explanations: Offers plain-language explanations for complex code.
Pricing details
Starts at $14/month for individual users.
13. Blackbox AI
Blackbox AI is an AI-driven code completion and search tool that simplifies development for Java programmers. Its focus on productivity and team collaboration makes it a popular choice.
Key features
- Smart code autocomplete: Delivers AI-powered suggestions to speed up coding.
- Code search: Allows quick and precise searching within repositories.
- Team collaboration: Supports collaborative coding with team-based features.
- Framework support: Tailored suggestions for Java frameworks like Spring and Hibernate.
- Cloud integration: Works seamlessly with cloud-hosted environments.
Pricing details
Free plan available; premium features start at $12/month per user.
Conclusion
Choosing the right AI coding tool can transform your Java development workflow, making it more efficient and enjoyable. Each tool on this list caters to specific needs, from code completion and debugging to in-depth code reviews and performance analysis.
While all these tools offer unique advantages, Bito stands out as the overall best option for its context-aware intelligence, seamless IDE integration, and comprehensive support for Java developers.
Take your time to explore these tools and find the one that best fits your coding style and requirements. Happy coding!