AnvilChat and other AI coding tools
AI tools for building software come in three shapes. Knowing which one you need saves time and money; here is how AnvilChat fits among them, and where it does not.
Three kinds of tool
- AI code editors and in-editor assistants: they live inside the place where developers write code and help line by line. Best if you already work in an editor all day.
- Prompt-to-app builders: you describe an app in a browser and get a hosted result. Best for quick prototypes.
- Project workspaces like AnvilChat: you describe the result, the AI plans and writes the whole project, you watch a live preview and can undo any change. Best when you want the result, not the editing.
Where AnvilChat is different
- One subscription gives access to many models from different makers, and Auto picks one per request.
- Every change is a checkpoint you can return to.
- Larger goals can be planned in steps, each with a check that a program runs, with results only marked verified when a check really passed.
- A Windows desktop app keeps projects on your computer.
Comparisons
Pick the tool you are comparing with:
Frequently asked questions
Are these comparisons up to date?
They describe what each kind of tool is for, not the details of other companies' plans and prices, which change often. Check the other tool's website for those.
Can I use AnvilChat together with an AI code editor?
Yes. A project is made of ordinary files that you can download and open in any editor.