AI Coding Tools on Apple Silicon
The AI coding assistant space has exploded. Here's how the top tools perform on M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs.
Cursor
The AI-first editor built on VS Code
- Status: Native ARM64 ✅
- Performance: Excellent
- Best for: Full AI integration, chat-based coding
Pros:
- Native Apple Silicon support
- Integrated AI chat
- Codebase-aware suggestions
- Fast local inference option
Cons:
- $20/month Pro plan
- Learning curve from VS Code
GitHub Copilot
The original AI pair programmer
- Status: Works via VS Code (Native)
- Performance: Excellent
- Best for: Inline completions, existing VS Code users
Pros:
- Seamless VS Code integration
- Excellent completion quality
- Works in many IDEs
- Copilot Chat feature
Cons:
- $10-19/month
- Requires internet connection
Codeium
Free AI coding assistant
- Status: Works via extensions
- Performance: Good
- Best for: Budget-conscious developers
Pros:
- Free tier available
- Multiple IDE support
- Good completion quality
Cons:
- Less advanced than paid options
- Occasional latency
Other Notable Tools
Amazon CodeWhisperer
- Free for individuals
- Good AWS integration
- Native VS Code support
Tabnine
- Local model option
- Privacy-focused
- Native ARM64 support
Sourcegraph Cody
- Excellent codebase search
- Context-aware answers
- Enterprise-focused
Performance Comparison on M3 MacBook Pro
| Tool | Memory Usage | CPU Impact | Response Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursor | 400-600MB | Low | <1s |
| Copilot | 200-400MB | Minimal | <1s |
| Codeium | 300-500MB | Low | 1-2s |
| Tabnine | 500-800MB | Medium | <1s |
Recommendations
For most developers: GitHub Copilot
- Best balance of features and integration
For AI-first workflow: Cursor
- If you want AI at the center of your editor
For budget users: Codeium
- Great free option with solid features
For privacy: Tabnine
- Local model keeps code private
