Aider Overview
Aider is a standalone software tool designed to operate seamlessly across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developed by Aider, the tool supports a wide range of large language models such as GPT-4o, GPT-5, Claude 4.5, and DeepSeek. Aider provides an extensive context window of 200k tokens, which is beneficial for handling large datasets and complex queries. It offers agentic editing capabilities with multi-file support and full terminal access, making it a versatile tool for developers and technical professionals. Although it lacks predictive edits and local inference, it adheres to a standard privacy policy, ensuring user data is protected. Aider is SOC2 Type II certified, adding an extra layer of trust for enterprise users. The tool is available for free, making it accessible for both personal and professional use. Users can configure settings via the .aiderrc file, and the tool supports seamless migration, enhancing its usability.
Pros
- ✓ Supports multiple OS platforms
- ✓ Wide range of supported LLMs
- ✓ Extensive context window of 200k tokens
- ✓ Free to use with seamless migration
Cons
- ✕ Does not support local inference
- ✕ Lacks predictive edits
RooCode Overview
RooCode is a plugin-based tool developed by Roo that is also compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports a diverse array of large language models, including GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Bedrock-Titan, and Ollama-local. Unique to RooCode is the inclusion of a custom model known as ‘The Coder’, which enhances its functionality for specific coding tasks. The tool boasts a robust context window of 200k tokens and offers local inference capabilities, which can be a significant advantage for performance and speed. Like Aider, it supports agentic editing with multi-file capabilities and provides full terminal access. RooCode maintains a standard privacy policy and is SOC2 Type II certified, ensuring data security for users. The tool is available in both free and pro versions, allowing scalability depending on user needs. Configuration is managed via the .roorc file, and it supports seamless migration, making it a flexible option for developers.
Pros
- ✓ Supports local inference
- ✓ Includes custom model 'The Coder'
- ✓ Available in free and pro versions
Cons
- ✕ Plugin-based architecture may limit standalone functionality
- ✕ May require additional setup for plugin integration
Comparison Table
| Feature | Aider | RooCode |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | plugin |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Aider | Roo |
| Supported Llms | GPT-4o, GPT-5, Claude 4.5, DeepSeek | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Bedrock-Titan, Ollama-local |
| Custom Model | – | The Coder |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free | Free/Pro |
| Config File | .aiderrc | .roorc |
| Migration | Seamless | Seamless |
Conclusion
Both Aider and RooCode offer robust solutions for handling language models and coding tasks. Aider provides a standalone solution with a focus on simplicity and accessibility, while RooCode offers additional features like local inference and a custom model, catering to more specialized needs. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on specific user requirements and preferences.