1Highest rated
CursorDevelopment & no-code
The code editor reimagined around AI.
Read the review →Best AI tools for explaining code (developer)
5 tools selected and reviewed
Taking on legacy code or an unfamiliar codebase takes time when there's no one to explain it. These tools comment, summarize and detail each function to save you hours of reading.
Our ranking, from editor-integrated assistants to the most reliable generalist AI for reasoning about code.
Our quick recommendation
2Excellent choice
GitHub CopilotDevelopment & no-code
The AI assistant that completes and writes code in your editor.
Read the review →3Worth a look
Sourcegraph CodyDevelopment & no-code
Enterprise AI assistant that understands your entire multi-repo codebase for ultra-precise answers
Read the review →All results
| Tool | Best for | Price | FR | Level | Verdict | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cursor | The code editor reimagined around AI. | Freemium | 🇫🇷 | Intermediate | Excellent | ★ 4.7 | |
| GitHub Copilot | The AI assistant that completes and writes code in your editor. | Paid | 🇫🇷 | Intermediate | Very good | ★ 4.6 | |
| Sourcegraph Cody | Enterprise AI assistant that understands your entire multi-repo codebase for ultra-precise answers | Paid | — | Advanced | Good choice | ★ 3.9 | |
 Claude | Anthropic's AI assistant, excellent at writing and document analysis. | Freemium | 🇫🇷 | Beginner | Excellent | ★ 4.8 | |
 ChatGPT | The versatile AI assistant for writing, summarizing, and brainstorming. | Freemium | 🇫🇷 | Beginner | Excellent | ★ 4.8 |
Frequently asked questions
What's the best AI for explaining code?
Cursor and GitHub Copilot explain code directly in your editor, line by line. Sourcegraph Cody excels on large codebases thanks to its contextual search. Claude and ChatGPT remain excellent choices for a quick summary by copy-paste.
Can you understand an unfamiliar codebase with AI?
Yes: Sourcegraph Cody is built for this, it indexes your entire repository and answers while citing relevant files. Cursor does the same at the scale of the project open in your editor.
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