JetBrains AI is JetBrains' suite of AI tools that works directly inside the company's IDEs, such as IntelliJ IDEA, PhpStorm, PyCharm, WebStorm and Rider. It has two main parts: AI Assistant, for code completion, chat about your project and everyday tasks, and Junie, a coding agent that can change several files itself, run tests and report the result. Its main difference from competitors is that instead of a new editor, it sits on top of the environment that Java, PHP and Python developers have used for years, and it draws on the IDE's own deep code analysis.

What is JetBrains AI good for?#

  • Code autocomplete: While writing a Laravel controller in PhpStorm, it suggests the rest of the method or an Eloquent query. This part runs on JetBrains' own models and is fast.
  • Explaining legacy code: On a crowded class in a project you've been handed, you ask for an explanation to understand exactly what it does and what it depends on.
  • Writing tests and commit messages: It suggests unit tests for a shop's payment service and writes commit messages from your changes.
  • Multi-step work with Junie: You hand the agent a request like "add a status field to the order model, create the migration and fix the tests", and review the changes before accepting.
  • Fixing errors: You paste an error message and stack trace in the chat and get a fix suggestion that takes your project files into account.
  • Working with a local model: If you don't want code going to an external server, you can connect it to a model running on your own machine with Ollama or LM Studio.

Strengths and weaknesses#

Strengths:

  • Full IDE integration; it uses JetBrains' project structure, symbols and refactoring tools.
  • A choice between models from several companies and even a local model.
  • Basic code completion is available in the free tier too.

Weaknesses:

  • Outside JetBrains IDEs it is almost useless.
  • Credit runs out quickly on heavy agent jobs, which is a common user complaint.
  • Availability of purchase and sign-in depends on your region.

Free version and pricing#

There is a free tier that gives code completion and a small amount of cloud credit for chat. For serious use of chat with strong models and the Junie agent you need a subscription based on usage credit. Some full IDE bundles include part of these features. Check the official site for current prices.

Language support#

Its chat uses well-known large language models, so it understands questions in many languages and you can get explanations in them; only the interface is in English. If you only want code completion and a local model, there is less dependence on an external server, but activation still needs a JetBrains account.

JetBrains AI alternatives#

  • GitHub Copilot: an extension that works in both JetBrains IDEs and VS Code and is the most widely used option.
  • Cursor: a full editor based on VS Code with AI at its center.
  • Windsurf: another agent-focused editor, with a focus on multi-step work.
  • Claude Code: a command-line agent not tied to any particular IDE.

For an overview of this category, read AI tools for programming: from chat to in-editor agents.