Looking for the best no-cost coding helpers? This free AI coding chatbots comparison 2025 shows three clear winners: Microsoft Copilot (free), ChatGPT (free), and DeepSeek. They solved most coding tasks on the first try. Five others stumbled. See what each tool does best and how to choose for your stack. AI coding help changed fast in 2025. Paid “coding agents” got stronger and more expensive, while free chatbots stayed easy to access. But are the free options good enough for real work? Based on hands-on tests reported by ZDNET’s David Gewirtz, only three free chatbots delivered strong, repeatable results. They handled plugin UIs, regex fixes, debugging, and small automation scripts with minimal hand-holding. Others missed key steps, broke input validation, or ignored tools mentioned in the prompt. Below, I break down the tests, the winners, and how to pick the right free helper for your workflow. This guide is built for devs who need speed, stable output, and a smart way to reduce costs without derailing quality.

free AI coding chatbots comparison 2025: Winners, takeaways, and quick picks

The three you can rely on

Microsoft Copilot (free, Quick Response): 4/4 tests passed

ChatGPT (free tier): 3/4 tests passed

DeepSeek (free, V3.2 access): 3/4 tests passed

These three handled everyday coding needs better than the rest. Copilot stood out with clean outputs and full task coverage. ChatGPT and DeepSeek were close behind, each missing once on a tricky AppleScript automation task.

Five you should skip for coding help (for now)

Claude (free): 2/4 passed, struggled with validation and automation

Meta AI (free): 2/4 passed, validation errors and missed tool usage

Grok (free): Auto mode unreliable; Expert mode worked but rate-limited

Perplexity (free): 2/4 passed; crashes on null/whitespace; quota friction

Gemini 2.5 Flash (free): 1/4 passed; worst validation performance in tests

These tools may be fine for search, writing, or brainstorming. But for code you will run, they failed too often on first try.

How the tests worked (simple overview)

To keep the review fair and useful, the same four tasks were used for each chatbot:

Build a simple WordPress plugin UI: Two fields, a “Randomize Lines” button, and correct output behavior.

Rewrite a string function for dollars-and-cents validation: Allow values like 0, .5, 1.20, and reject bad input; do not crash on null or whitespace.

Find a hidden bug that needs framework knowledge: Diagnose the mistake and fix it.

Create a small automation: Use AppleScript with Chrome and Keyboard Maestro; avoid fake lowercase functions and respect AppleScript’s case-insensitivity.

These tasks check real-world skills: UI structure, regex and normalization, framework literacy, and tool-aware scripting. They also test whether a model follows instructions without drifting.

What the top 3 did right

Microsoft Copilot (free, Quick Response)

Copilot delivered four clean wins:

Plugin UI: Generated one input field at first, then revealed the output area after clicking Randomize—exactly as needed.

Validation rewrite: Accepted correct formats, rejected invalid strings, and avoided edge-case traps.

Debugging: Identified the framework issue fast and explained the fix.

Automation: Included Keyboard Maestro, scripted Chrome, and respected AppleScript’s built-in case-insensitivity (no fake lowercase function).

Why it matters: Copilot followed instructions, handled subtle rules, and returned code you can run without surgery. If you want a free helper that “just works,” start here. Best for:

Front-end and plugin scaffolding

Quick regex and data cleaning fixes

Bug hunts that need framework context

Mac automation snippets that involve AppleScript

ChatGPT (free tier)

ChatGPT passed three tests and missed one:

Plugin UI: Clean, functional, and clear.

Validation rewrite: Improved the regex and logic; handled expected formats.

Debugging: Found and fixed the framework bug.

Automation: Failed by using a nonexistent lowercase function without importing the needed framework.

Use it when:

You need a fast explainer or a second opinion.

You want a baseline solution you can refine.

You are not using AppleScript or Keyboard Maestro in the task.

Tip: If it stumbles, ask it to “self-check against the spec and test these inputs,” then paste your test cases.

DeepSeek (free, V3.2 access)

DeepSeek also scored three out of four:

Plugin UI: Smart UX touches, like a live line count and a copy-to-clipboard button.

Validation rewrite: Gave two versions; one had mistakes, the other was correct.

Debugging: Found the framework bug.

Automation: Gave two wrong approaches, ignored Keyboard Maestro, and overcomplicated case handling.

What to expect: Thoughtful UI output, occasional over-explaining, and sometimes two “options” where only one works. Test and select the better one. Best for:

Front-end helpers and small tools that benefit from better UX

Second-pass review of another model’s code

Regex and data checks, with your own test inputs

The near-misses: where other bots fell down

Claude (free)

Pros:

Nice dual-field plugin UI; accurate line count; passed the debugging test.

Cons:

Broke dollars-and-cents validation (rejected valid inputs like 0, .50, 1.20).

Overcomplicated AppleScript handling; tried shell forks to lowercase text that was already case-insensitive.

Bottom line: Great model family for paid terminal use (Claude Code), but the free chatbot missed too often on first try.

Meta AI (free)

Pros:

Plugin UI worked; debugging test passed.

Cons:

Validation rewrite failed on many real inputs; odd output duplication and unclear guidance.

Ignored Keyboard Maestro in the automation task.

Bottom line: Usable for simple scaffolds, but not dependable for validation and tool-aware scripts.

Grok (free)

Pros:

Validation rewrite in Auto mode was decent once it ran; debugging test passed in Expert mode.

Cons:

Plugin UI did not work on the first attempt in Auto mode.

Expert mode imposed strict limits (two questions every two hours in testing).

Bottom line: Inconsistent in Auto; Expert can work but the rate limit kills the flow for real coding sessions.

Perplexity (free)

Pros:

Plugin UI passed; debugging test passed.

Cons:

Validation rewrite crashed on null/undefined/whitespace; broke normalization.

Quota friction (counted prompts as “searches”) mid-testing; failed the automation task.

Bottom line: Great for research, not yet reliable for code that must run safely on the first pass.

Gemini 2.5 Flash (free)

Pros:

Passed the debugging test.

Cons:

Plugin UI button did nothing.

Worst dollars-and-cents validation in years of testing; allowed dollar sign and dot-only strings.

Overbuilt a lowercasing function for AppleScript, which did not need it.

Bottom line: The paid Gemini Pro coding model is strong, but the free Flash model underperformed here.

How to choose among the top three

If you only pick one:

Pick Copilot (free) for the most consistent “works-on-first-try” experience.

If you can use two:

Use Copilot to draft code, then ask ChatGPT or DeepSeek to review and suggest tests.

Match the tool to your stack:

WordPress and front-end helpers: Copilot or DeepSeek

Regex and validation fixes: Copilot or ChatGPT

Bug hunts with framework context: Copilot or ChatGPT

Mac automation with AppleScript: Copilot first; ChatGPT only with clear framework imports; avoid others for now

Performance pattern from this free AI coding chatbots comparison 2025:

Copilot followed instructions best.

ChatGPT explained fixes clearly and stayed stable.

DeepSeek added helpful UI touches but sometimes gave two competing answers; test both when that happens.

Prompts that improved code quality

Use this simple structure to cut errors and save time:

Context: “You are generating code I will run. Do not invent tools. Use only AppleScript, Chrome, and Keyboard Maestro.”

Exact deliverable: “Return a single function and a short usage example. No extra commentary.”

Constraints: “Respect AppleScript’s case-insensitivity. Do not call lowercaseString. Do not fork a shell.”

Test inputs: “Prove it with these values: 0, .5, 1.20, 000.50, 5., $, ., empty string.”

Self-check: “Before final output, verify your code passes all test inputs and correct any failures.”

Environment: “Assume the code runs in standard WordPress/AppleScript without extra frameworks.”

Format: “Output only code blocks in order. No numbered lists, no explanations.”

If the model returns two versions, reply:

“Run both versions against the test inputs. Keep only the one that passes all tests. Return that version alone.”

Verification steps you should never skip

Before you ship or even merge, do this:

Run the code in a clean environment; confirm the UI elements work as described.

Execute unit tests on all edge cases, including null, empty, and malformed inputs.

Scan for security issues: injection, unsafe eval, unescaped output, and path or shell calls.

Check licenses and attributions if the model imports or rewrites third-party snippets.

Add logging for error paths; make failures safe and non-crashing.

Document assumptions (frameworks, versions, browser setup, macOS tooling).

Budget and workflow tips

You can get a lot done for free if you combine models smartly:

Draft with Copilot. Review with ChatGPT. Ask DeepSeek to improve UX or add small quality-of-life features like copy buttons or hints.

Use one model per job: scaffolding, validation, debugging, and docs. Rotate as needed.

Ask for tests with your prompt. Good models will include them if you insist.

Keep a snippets repo of “known good” patterns for regex, validation, and common UI elements.

When to pay:

You need all-day, high-throughput agent runs.

You depend on terminal integrations and repo-wide context.

Your automation chain spans multiple tools and must be rock-solid.

For many solo devs and small teams, you can still move fast on free plans—if you pair the right chatbots and verify outputs.

Key takeaways you can act on today

Start with Copilot (free) for the build. It nailed all four tests.

Use ChatGPT (free) for clear explanations and extra test ideas.

Bring in DeepSeek (free) when you want a second take or small UI upgrades.

Avoid free Claude, Meta, Grok Auto, Perplexity, and Gemini Flash for code you will run, unless you have time to debug their output.

Save your test inputs and paste them into every prompt. Force self-checks.

In short, this free AI coding chatbots comparison 2025 points to three practical choices that can boost output without extra spend. Mix them, test their code, and keep a tight review loop. You will get reliable results and protect your time. The bottom line: Use this free AI coding chatbots comparison 2025 as your quick filter. Pick Copilot if you want the safest single choice. Combine it with ChatGPT and DeepSeek for reviews and small improvements. Always verify, always test, and you will get strong outcomes without paying more.

(Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-best-free-ai-for-coding-in-2025-now-only-three-make-the-cut-while-five-fall-flat/)

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