JetBrains vs Zed
Zed scores 7.2 to JetBrains's 7.1 among the AI coding assistants we rate, and is the better pick for 1 of the 4 kinds of buyer below.
Zed wins, 7.2 to 7.1
Zed understands your whole codebase; JetBrains works mostly from the current file or selection instead. Both charge $10 a month for their cheapest paid plan. Zed is open source, while JetBrains is closed source. Both commit to not training on your code and both let you run models on your own machine.
Pick JetBrains if you already work inside a jetbrains ide.
Pick Zed if you want an open source editor that understands your whole codebase.
Best for
Who each one suits, decided on the criteria that matter to that buyer and the checked facts where the two differ.
- Agents that work in the cloud and open pull requests: JetBrains yes, Zed no
- But Zed leads on understands your whole codebase: Zed yes, JetBrains no
- AI model families you can choose: Claude, gpt, gemini, grok against Claude, gpt, gemini
- Option to keep no copy of your code: Zed yes, JetBrains no
- Open source: Zed yes, JetBrains no
How they score
Both are scored the same way, against the other AI coding assistants we rate, from facts on each vendor's own pages. They split the criteria 2 each, with the rest level.
Where they differ
Every point where the two vendors' published facts disagree, with a link to where each fact was read. "Not published" means the vendor does not say either way.
Published by only one of them
Where they match (9)
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
JetBrains
Zed
For everything else about each tool, read the full JetBrains review and Zed review.
JetBrains vs Zed: common questions
Which is better, JetBrains or Zed?
Zed scores 7.2 and JetBrains 7.1 out of 10 among the AI coding assistants we rate. Zed is ahead on privacy and security and where it works. JetBrains is ahead on agents and your codebase and model freedom.
Is JetBrains or Zed cheaper?
JetBrains's cheapest paid plan is $10/mo (AI Pro) and Zed's is $0/mo. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
Do JetBrains and Zed have a free plan?
Yes, both do.
What can JetBrains do that Zed cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: agents that work in the cloud and open pull requests.
What can Zed do that JetBrains cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: understands your whole codebase, option to keep no copy of your code and open source.
