VDS vs Shared vs Dedicated vs Cloud. What is The Best Option for You?

NoSQL (which stands for "Not Only SQL") represents a new class of data management systems that deviate from the traditional relational approach to information storage. Unlike conventional DBMSs, such as MySQL or PostgreSQL, which store data in tables with fixed structures and strict relationships, NoSQL offers more flexible methods for organizing and storing information. This technology doesn't reject SQL; rather, it expands the ways to handle data. The origin of the term NoSQL has an interesting backstory that began not with technology but with the name of a tech conference. In 2009, organizers of a database event in San Francisco adopted the term, and it unexpectedly caught on in the industry. Interestingly, a decade earlier, in 1998, developer Carlo Strozzi had already used the term "NoSQL" for his own project, which had no connection to modern non-relational systems. Modern NoSQL databases fall into several key categories of data storage systems. These include: Document-oriented databases (led by MongoDB) Key-value stores (e.g., Redis) Graph databases (Neo4j is a prominent example) Column-family stores (such as ClickHouse) The unifying feature among these systems is their rejection of the classic SQL language in favor of proprietary data processing methods. Unlike relational DBMSs, where SQL serves as a standardized language for querying and joining data through operations like JOIN and UNION, NoSQL databases have developed their own query languages. Each NoSQL database offers a unique syntax for manipulating data. Here are some examples: // MongoDB (uses a JavaScript-like syntax): db.users.find({ age: { $gt: 21 } }) // Redis (uses command-based syntax): HGET user:1000 email SET session:token "abc123" NoSQL databases are particularly efficient in handling large volumes of unstructured data. A prime example is the architecture of modern social media platforms, where MongoDB enables storage of a user's profile, posts, responses, and activity in a single document, thereby optimizing data retrieval performance. NoSQL vs SQL: Relational and Non-Relational Databases The evolution of NoSQL databases has paralleled the growing complexity of technological and business needs. The modern digital world, which generates terabytes of data every second, necessitated new data processing approaches. As a result, two fundamentally different data management philosophies have emerged: Relational approach, focused on data integrity and reliability NoSQL approach, prioritizing adaptability and scalability Each concept is grounded in its own core principles, which define its practical applications. Relational systems adhere to ACID principles: Atomicity ensures that transactions are all-or-nothing. Consistency guarantees that data remains valid throughout. Isolation keeps concurrent transactions from interfering. Durability ensures that once a transaction is committed, it remains so. NoSQL systems follow the BASE principles: Basically Available – the system prioritizes continuous availability. Soft state – the system state may change over time. Eventually consistent – consistency is achieved eventually, not instantly. Key Differences: Aspect Relational Databases NoSQL Databases Data Organization Structured in predefined tables and schemas Flexible format, supports semi-structured/unstructured data Scalability Vertical (via stronger servers) Horizontal (adding more nodes to the cluster) Data Integrity Maintained at the DBMS core level Managed at the application level Performance Efficient for complex transactions High performance in basic I/O operations Data Storage Distributed across multiple interrelated tables Groups related data into unified blocks/documents These fundamental differences define their optimal use cases: Relational systems are irreplaceable where data precision is critical (e.g., financial systems). NoSQL solutions excel in processing high-volume data flows (e.g., social media, analytics platforms). Key Features and Advantages of NoSQL Most NoSQL systems are open source, allowing developers to explore and modify the core system without relying on expensive proprietary software. Schema Flexibility One of the main advantages of NoSQL is its schema-free approach. Unlike relational databases, where altering the schema often requires modifying existing records, NoSQL allows the dynamic addition of attributes without reorganizing the entire database. // MongoDB: Flexible schema supports different structures in the same collection db.users.insertMany([   { name: "Emily", email: "emily@email.com" },   { name: "Maria", email: "maria@email.com", phone: "+35798765432" },   { name: "Peter", social: { twitter: "@peter", facebook: "peter.fb" } } ]) Horizontal Scalability NoSQL databases employ a fundamentally different strategy for boosting performance. While traditional relational databases rely on upgrading a single server, NoSQL architectures use distributed clusters. Performance is improved by adding nodes, with workload automatically balanced across the system. Sharding and Replication NoSQL databases support sharding—a method of distributing data across multiple servers. Conceptually similar to RAID 0 (striping), sharding enables: Enhanced system performance Improved fault tolerance Efficient load distribution High Performance NoSQL systems offer exceptional performance due to optimized storage mechanisms and avoidance of resource-heavy operations like joins. They perform best in scenarios such as: Basic read/write operations Large-scale data management Concurrent user request handling Unstructured data processing Handling Unstructured Data NoSQL excels in working with: Large volumes of unstructured data Heterogeneous data types Rapidly evolving data structures Support for Modern Technologies NoSQL databases integrate well with: Cloud platforms Microservice architectures Big Data processing systems Modern development frameworks Cost Efficiency NoSQL solutions can be cost-effective due to: Open-source licensing Efficient use of commodity hardware Scalability using standard servers Reduced administrative overhead Main Types of NoSQL Databases In modern distributed system development, several core types of NoSQL solutions are distinguished, each with a mature ecosystem and strong community support. Document-Oriented Databases Document-based systems are the most mature and widely adopted type of NoSQL databases. MongoDB, the leading technology in this segment, is the benchmark example of document-oriented data storage architecture. Data Storage Principle In document-oriented databases, information is stored as documents grouped into collections. Unlike relational databases, where data is distributed across multiple tables, here, all related information about an object is contained within a single document. Example of a user document with orders: { "_id": ObjectId("507f1f77bcf86cd799439011"), "user": { "username": "stephanie", "email": "steph@example.com", "registered": "2024-02-01" }, "orders": [ { "orderId": "ORD-001", "date": "2024-02-02", "items": [ { "name": "Phone", "price": 799.99, "quantity": 1 } ], "status": "delivered" } ], "preferences": { "notifications": true, "language": "en" } } Basic Operations with MongoDB // Insert a document db.users.insertOne({ username: "stephanie", email: "steph@example.com" }) // Find documents db.users.find({ "preferences.language": "en" }) // Update data db.users.updateOne( { username: "stephanie" }, { $set: { "preferences.notifications": false }} ) // Delete a document db.users.deleteOne({ username: "stephanie" }) Advantages of the Document-Oriented Approach Flexible Data Schema Each document can have its own structure Easy to add new fields No need to modify the overall database schema Natural Data Representation Documents resemble programming objects Intuitive structure Developer-friendly Performance Fast retrieval of complete object data Efficient handling of nested structures Horizontal scalability Working with Hierarchical Data Naturally stores tree-like structures Convenient nested object representation Effective processing of complex structures Use Cases The architecture is particularly effective in: Developing systems with dynamically evolving data structures Processing large volumes of unstandardized data Building high-load distributed platforms Typical Use Scenarios Digital content management platforms Distributed social media platforms Enterprise content organization systems Event aggregation and analytics services Complex analytical platforms Key-Value Stores Among key-value stores, Redis (short for Remote Dictionary Server) holds a leading position in the NoSQL market. A core architectural feature of this technology is that the entire data set is stored in memory, ensuring exceptional performance. Working Principle The architecture of key-value stores is based on three fundamental components for each data record: Unique key (record identifier) Associated data (value) Optional TTL (Time To Live) parameter Data Types in Redis # Strings SET user:name "Stephanie" GET user:name # Lists LPUSH notifications "New message" RPUSH notifications "Payment received" # Sets SADD user:roles "admin" "editor" SMEMBERS user:roles # Hashes HSET user:1000 name "Steph" email "steph@example.com" HGET user:1000 email # Sorted Sets ZADD leaderboard 100 "player1" 85 "player2" ZRANGE leaderboard 0 -1 Key Advantages High Performance In-memory operations Simple data structure Minimal overhead Storage Flexibility Support for multiple data types Ability to set data expiration Atomic operations Reliability Data persistence options Master-slave replication Clustering support Typical Use Scenarios Caching # Cache query results SET "query:users:active" "{json_result}" EXPIRE "query:users:active" 3600 # Expires in one hour Counters and Rankings # Increase view counter INCR "views:article:1234" # Update ranking ZADD "top_articles" 156 "article:1234" Message Queues # Add task to queue LPUSH "task_queue" "process_order:1234" # Get task from queue RPOP "task_queue" Redis achieves peak efficiency when deployed in systems with intensive operational throughput, where rapid data access and instant processing are critical. A common architectural solution is to integrate Redis as a high-performance caching layer alongside the primary data store, significantly boosting the overall application performance. Graph Databases Graph DBMS (Graph Databases) stand out among NoSQL solutions due to their specialization in managing relationships between data entities. In this segment, Neo4j has established a leading position thanks to its efficiency in handling complex network data structures where relationships between objects are of fundamental importance. Core Components Nodes Represent entities Contain properties Have labels Relationships Connect nodes Are directional Can contain properties Define the type of connection Example of a Graph Model in Neo4j // Create nodes CREATE (anna:Person { name: 'Anna', age: 30 }) CREATE (mary:Person { name: 'Mary', age: 28 }) CREATE (post:Post { title: 'Graph Databases', date: '2024-02-04' }) // Create relationships CREATE (anna)-[:FRIENDS_WITH]->(mary) CREATE (anna)-[:AUTHORED]->(post) CREATE (mary)-[:LIKED]->(post) Typical Queries // Find friends of friends MATCH (person:Person {name: 'Anna'})-[:FRIENDS_WITH]->(friend)-[:FRIENDS_WITH]->(friendOfFriend) RETURN friendOfFriend.name // Find most popular posts MATCH (post:Post)<-[:LIKED]-(person:Person) RETURN post.title, count(person) as likes ORDER BY likes DESC LIMIT 5 Key Advantages Natural Representation of Relationships Intuitive data model Efficient relationship storage Easy to understand and work with Graph Traversal Performance Fast retrieval of connected data Efficient handling of complex queries Optimized for recursive queries Practical Applications Social Networks // Friend recommendations MATCH (user:Person)-[:FRIENDS_WITH]->(friend)-[:FRIENDS_WITH]->(potentialFriend) WHERE user.name = 'Anna' AND NOT (user)-[:FRIENDS_WITH]->(potentialFriend) RETURN potentialFriend.name Recommendation Systems // Recommendations based on interests MATCH (user:Person)-[:LIKES]->(product:Product)<-[:LIKES]-(otherUser)-[:LIKES]->(recommendation:Product) WHERE user.name = 'Anna' AND NOT (user)-[:LIKES]->(recommendation) RETURN recommendation.name, count(otherUser) as frequency Routing // Find shortest path MATCH path = shortestPath(   (start:Location {name: 'A'})-[:CONNECTS_TO*]->(end:Location {name: 'B'}) ) RETURN path Usage Highlights Essential when working with complex, interrelated data structures Maximum performance in processing cyclic and nested queries Enables flexible design and management of multi-level relationships Neo4j and similar platforms for graph database management show exceptional efficiency in systems where relationship processing and deep link analysis are critical. These tools offer advanced capabilities for managing complex network architectures and detecting patterns in structured sets of connected data. Columnar Databases The architecture of these systems is based on column-oriented storage of data, as opposed to the traditional row-based approach. This enables significant performance gains for specialized queries. Leading solutions in this area include ClickHouse and HBase, both recognized as reliable enterprise-grade technologies. How It Works Traditional (row-based) storage: Row1: [id1, name1, email1, age1]   Row2: [id2, name2, email2, age2] Column-based storage: Column1: [id1, id2]   Column2: [name1, name2]   Column3: [email1, email2]   Column4: [age1, age2] Key Characteristics Storage Structure Data is grouped by columns Efficient compression of homogeneous data Fast reading of specific fields Scalability Horizontal scalability Distributed storage High availability Example Usage with ClickHouse -- Create table CREATE TABLE users ( user_id UUID, name String, email String, registration_date DateTime ) ENGINE = MergeTree() ORDER BY (registration_date, user_id); -- Insert data INSERT INTO users (user_id, name, email, registration_date) VALUES (generateUUIDv4(), 'Anna Smith', 'anna@example.com', now()); -- Analytical query SELECT toDate(registration_date) as date, count(*) as users_count FROM users GROUP BY date ORDER BY date; Key Advantages Analytical Efficiency Fast reading of selected columns Optimized aggregation queries Effective with large datasets Data Compression Superior compression of uniform data Reduced disk space usage I/O optimization Typical Use Cases Big Data -- Log analysis with efficient aggregation SELECT event_type, count() as events_count, uniqExact(user_id) as unique_users FROM system_logs WHERE toDate(timestamp) >= '2024-01-01' GROUP BY event_type ORDER BY events_count DESC; Time Series -- Aggregating metrics by time intervals SELECT toStartOfInterval(timestamp, INTERVAL 5 MINUTE) as time_bucket, avg(cpu_usage) as avg_cpu, max(cpu_usage) as max_cpu, quantile(0.95)(cpu_usage) as cpu_95th FROM server_metrics WHERE server_id = 'srv-001' AND timestamp >= now() - INTERVAL 1 DAY GROUP BY time_bucket ORDER BY time_bucket; Analytics Systems -- Advanced user statistics SELECT country, count() as users_count, round(avg(age), 1) as avg_age, uniqExact(city) as unique_cities, sumIf(purchase_amount, purchase_amount > 0) as total_revenue, round(avg(purchase_amount), 2) as avg_purchase FROM user_statistics GROUP BY country HAVING users_count >= 100 ORDER BY total_revenue DESC LIMIT 10; Usage Highlights Maximum performance in systems with read-heavy workloads Proven scalability for large-scale data processing Excellent integration in distributed computing environments Columnar database management systems show exceptional efficiency in projects requiring deep analytical processing of large datasets. This is particularly evident in areas such as enterprise analytics, real-time performance monitoring systems, and platforms for processing timestamped streaming data. Full-Text Databases (OpenSearch) The OpenSearch platform, built on the architectural principles of Elasticsearch, is a comprehensive ecosystem for high-performance full-text search and multidimensional data analysis. This solution, designed according to distributed systems principles, stands out for its capabilities in data processing, intelligent search, and the creation of interactive visualizations for large-scale datasets. Key Features Full-Text Search // Search with multilingual support GET /products/_search { "query": { "multi_match": { "query": "wireless headphones", "fields": ["title", "description"], "type": "most_fields" } } } Data Analytics // Aggregation by categories GET /products/_search { "size": 0, "aggs": { "popular_categories": { "terms": { "field": "category", "size": 10 } } } } Key Advantages Efficient Search Fuzzy search support Result ranking Match highlighting Autocomplete functionality Analytical Capabilities Complex aggregations Statistical analysis Data visualization Real-time monitoring Common Use Cases E-commerce Search Product search Faceted navigation Product recommendations User behavior analysis Monitoring and Logging Metrics collection Performance analysis Anomaly detection Error tracking Analytical Dashboards Data visualization Business metrics Reporting Real-time analytics OpenSearch is particularly effective in projects that require advanced search and data analytics. At Hostman, OpenSearch is available as a managed service, simplifying integration and maintenance. When to Choose NoSQL? The architecture of various database management systems has been developed with specific use cases in mind, so choosing the right tech stack should be based on a detailed analysis of your application's requirements.In modern software development, a hybrid approach is becoming increasingly common, where multiple types of data storage are integrated into a single project to achieve maximum efficiency and extended functionality. NoSQL systems do not provide a one-size-fits-all solution. When designing your data storage architecture, consider the specific nature of the project and its long-term development strategy. Choose NoSQL databases when the following matter: Large-scale Data Streams Efficient handling of petabyte-scale storage High-throughput read and write operations Need for horizontal scalability Dynamic Data Structures Evolving data requirements Flexibility under uncertainty Performance Prioritization High-load systems Real-time applications Services requiring high availability Unconventional Data Formats Networked relationship structures Time-stamped sequences Spatial positioning Stick with Relational Databases when you need: Guaranteed Integrity Banking transactions Electronic health records Mission-critical systems Complex Relationships Multi-level data joins Complex transactional operations Strict ACID compliance Immutable Structure Fixed requirement specifications Standardized business processes Formalized reporting systems Practical Recommendations Hybrid Approach // Using Redis for caching // alongside PostgreSQL for primary data const cached = await redis.get(`user:${id}`); if (!cached) { const user = await pg.query('SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $1', [id]); await redis.set(`user:${id}`, JSON.stringify(user)); return user; } return JSON.parse(cached); Gradual Transition Start with a pilot project Test performance Evaluate support costs Decision-Making Factors Technical Aspects Data volume Query types Scalability requirements Consistency model Business Requirements Project budget Development timeline Reliability expectations Growth plans Development Team Technology expertise Availability of specialists Maintenance complexity

In the early days of computing, programmers wrote code entirely on their own, from scratch and solo. Hardcore mode! The only help they had was paper reference books describing the syntax of specific languages. Today, things are very different. In addition to countless electronic manuals, guides, articles, videos, and forums, we now have neural networks, arguably one of the most groundbreaking technologies of the early 21st century. Trained on massive datasets, these AI models have become the primary source of coding assistance. The advantages are obvious. AI coding tools speed up the development process by taking on much of the routine work involved in writing code. This allows developers to focus on architecture and logic instead of syntax errors and inefficient constructs. Some tools generate code from scratch, and others analyze and complete already-written code. However, in recent years, so many AI-powered projects have emerged that it can be difficult for the average person to figure out which AI is actually the best for programming. There are both specialized and general-purpose models. Some only generate specific types of data (like code), while others handle all kinds (text, code, images). Some are free, others paid. To determine which AI is the best for programming (and why), we first need to create a list of the top coding AIs, and then analyze the pros and cons of each one. 1. GitHub Copilot Copilot is arguably the best AI coding assistant, developed by GitHub in collaboration with OpenAI. It’s positioned as an AI co-programmer trained on millions of open-source GitHub repositories. Features Developed by the largest cloud-based code hosting platform, Copilot leads the list of neural networks for programming, offering a wide range of capabilities: Code Generation: Produces ready-to-use code snippets in all major languages based on text descriptions: scripts, functions, classes, even entire files. While the AI sometimes generates imperfect results, this can be resolved by making the user’s request more specific. Code Translation: Converts code written in one programming language into logically equivalent code in another. This feature alone puts Copilot ahead of many other coding AIs, as not all models can do this effectively. Code Autocompletion: Suggests autocompletion based on the overall context of the codebase. Refactoring: Enhances code structure, optimizes algorithms, and fixes errors. It can also suggest alternative, more efficient solutions that a developer might not have initially considered. Editor Integration: Integrates via plugins into popular text editors and IDEs like Visual Studio Code, Neovim, JetBrains IDEs, and others. These features help automate routine coding tasks. A lesser-known use case of Copilot is learning programming languages. The AI can generate simple code snippets that demonstrate the syntax and mechanics of a specific language. Interestingly, this teaching method aligns with Stephen Krashen’s Comprehensible Input Hypothesis, which states that language acquisition is driven by understandable input, i.e., the material that the learner can interpret with explanation. Similarly, Copilot can be used as an interactive reference, potentially replacing resources like Stack Overflow. Languages Supported Copilot supports all major programming languages: C, C++, C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, Scala, Swift, and TypeScript. It can also generate code using popular frameworks and libraries like React, Angular, Vue.js, Node.js, Django, Flask, and Ruby on Rails. Pricing Plans Naturally, GitHub offers only a limited set of Copilot features for free. The free version also has monthly limits on code generations. The full version is available through subscriptions for individuals, teams, and enterprises. Pricing starts at $4/month, with a 30-day free trial. In return, users get a powerful tool for faster coding. Despite requiring a subscription, many developers consider Copilot the best AI coding assistant, especially when compared to general-purpose models like ChatGPT, which aren't primarily designed for code generation. 2. Tabnine Tabnine is an AI that generates code snippets not based on explicit prompts but on the development context formed by the programmer’s current work. Features Unlike Copilot, Tabnine primarily focuses on code autocompletion. However, it also offers several distinctive features: Offline Mode: The Enterprise version of Tabnine can run entirely offline, generating code without internet access. This improves data privacy, as code is processed locally and not sent to the cloud; however, it does require more system resources. Personalized Generation: Tabnine learns from a specific developer’s codebase, mimicking their unique style and preferences. This results in personalized suggestions that feel as if the code were written by the developers themselves, in contrast to Copilot, which was trained on public GitHub repositories. IDE Integration: Since Tabnine is not a standalone application but a smart autocompletion engine, it integrates with virtually all major IDEs through plugins, including VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio, Eclipse, Android Studio, AppCode, CLion, GoLand, Neovim, PhpStorm, PyCharm, Rider, RubyMine, WebStorm. Interactive AI Chat: Tabnine also offers a built-in chat interface for personalized communication with the AI. Users can ask questions related to the code in their current editor tab. All in all, Tabnine is geared more toward typing speed and efficiency rather than generating large chunks of code from scratch. Think of it as classic autocompletion but supercharged with AI. Languages Supported Like Copilot, Tabnine supports autocompletion for all major programming languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C/C++, C#, Go, Ruby, Swift, PHP, Rust, Kotlin, Perl, Dart, Scala. Pricing Plans Tabnine is available under two subscription plans: Dev – from $9/month for individual developers. Enterprise – from $39/month for teams and companies. The Enterprise plan offers advanced customization options, enhanced security, and on-premise deployment for maximum privacy. 3. ChatGPT ChatGPT is a generative AI developed by OpenAI, based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture. Unlike Copilot and Tabnine, ChatGPT can generate not just code but also various forms of text content. That makes it a general-purpose neural network—a versatile tool for generating any data based on a user's prompt. Some might argue that ChatGPT is more text-oriented than code-focused. However, it remains one of the best free AI for coding, as its basic version is available to everyone without a paid subscription. Features ChatGPT operates through a chat interface, where prompts are entered as natural language messages. That’s why its name consists of Chat and GPT: Chat: its ability to hold conversations, answer questions, and maintain real-time dialogue. GPT: short for Generative Pre-trained Transformer: Generative: creates original text rather than copying answers, Pre-trained: trained on vast data corpora, Transformer: refers to the model’s architecture, which uses attention mechanisms to understand and generate contextually accurate responses. In short, ChatGPT is a conversational AI capable of tackling almost any language-based task — including code generation. Here’s what it can do: Conversational Interaction: The AI responds as if you were chatting with another person. You can ask it to use a certain tone, generate text, tables, code, and even simple images. This makes ChatGPT a virtual assistant, coworker, or advisor. Free Code Generation: The base model is completely free to use. More advanced versions offer improved performance but require a subscription. Multi-Format Output: It can create more than just code. You can generate any language-based content based on a clear prompt and adapt it to the ongoing context of the conversation. For example, you could write this fun prompt: “Give me an example of Python code with a helicopter and a car class. Each should have a fuel variable initialized to 100. Then create objects of each class and have the helicopter hook the car with a cable.” ChatGPT would generate something like this: class Helicopter: def __init__(self): self.fuel = 100 self.hooked_car = None def hook_car(self, car): self.hooked_car = car print("The helicopter has hooked the car with a cable.") class Car: def __init__(self): self.fuel = 100 helicopter = Helicopter() car = Car() helicopter.hook_car(car) You can check this code in any online Python interpreter and get the expected output: The helicopter has hooked the car with a cable. So, if you're working late at night and wondering which neural network is best for hands-off code generation, ChatGPT is worth considering. After all, OpenAI is a global leader in machine learning. At the very least, ChatGPT is the best conversational AI for code creation, capable of generating not only code but also full documents, tables, and even basic images. Languages Supported Since it was trained on a vast linguistic dataset, ChatGPT can generate code in nearly any language and not just general-purpose ones. It supports all major programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C, C++, C#, Go, PHP, Swift, Kotlin, Ruby, Rust, Haskell, Lisp, Elixir, Erlang, and F#. It also understands domain-specific languages: HTML, CSS, SASS/SCSS, SQL, GraphQL, Shell, PowerShell, Lua, Perl, YAML, and JSON. Listing them all would be pointless, as ChatGPT can understand and generate code or text in virtually any format. That's its defining strength. Pricing Plans OpenAI offers four subscription tiers for ChatGPT, each expanding the capabilities of the last: Free – All basic features. No cost. Plus – Enhanced performance and access to newer models with better contextual understanding and faster responses. Starts at $20/month. Pro – Full access with no usage limits. Starts at $200/month. Team – Adds collaborative tools, custom roles, and enhanced security for data sharing and storage. Team data is excluded from AI training — ensuring full confidentiality. Starts at $25/month. Paid plans provide higher accuracy, better performance, and more stability. Still, the free version offers nearly identical functionality — the difference lies in the fine details. 4. Claude Claude is another natural language processing AI developed by Anthropic. According to its creators, Claude is a safer, more ethical, and more predictable alternative to ChatGPT. Features Overall, Claude's capabilities are similar to ChatGPT’s, with a few notable distinctions: Image and Document Analysis: Claude can interpret the contents of images and documents in detail, recognizing real-world objects, diagrams, graphs, numbers, and text. ChatGPT is also capable of this, but only in its paid version. Claude offers it natively. Massive Context Window: Claude supports up to 200,000 tokens, which allows it to analyze large volumes of data. By comparison, ChatGPT maxes out at around 128,000 tokens. One token is roughly 5 characters of English text. High Ethical Standards: Thanks to built-in ethical constraints, Claude is less likely to generate inappropriate content, making its responses more conservative. While this may not matter to some users, from a broader perspective, output filtering is a key trait that separates the best AI coding tools from the rest, especially as AI tools become mainstream. In short, Claude offers high factual accuracy, which is crucial for generating reliable code based on user instructions. Languages Supported According to Anthropic, Claude performs best when generating Python code. However, it also supports other popular languages: JavaScript, Java, C++, Go, PHP, Ruby, C#, Swift, TypeScript, Kotlin, and Rust. Of course, the full list of supported languages isn’t publicly available, as the model was trained on diverse datasets. Practical testing is the best way to determine support. Pricing Plans Claude offers several pricing tiers: Free – Standard chat access via browser or mobile app (iOS/Android). No cost. Pro – Enables structured chats, document analysis, and access to additional Claude models and features. Starts at $18/month. Team – Adds collaboration features for group work. Starts at $25/month. Enterprise – Provides deeper control over generation processes, user role management, and enhanced data privacy. Custom pricing. Despite Claude being one of the top free AI for coding, it can’t be considered a full competitor to ChatGPT. Here’s why: Smaller Knowledge Base: ChatGPT was trained on more data, producing more accurate and diverse responses. Limited Availability: Claude is not as widely accessible as ChatGPT and is available in fewer countries. Few Integrations: ChatGPT is integrated into many products (e.g., Office, Azure), while Claude is not. Slower Development: ChatGPT evolves rapidly, releasing updates and features faster than Claude. Still, Claude is worth trying for anyone who regularly uses AI in programming or text generation tasks. 5. Snyk Code Snyk Code is an AI-powered static analysis tool for detecting vulnerabilities and errors, part of the broader Snyk ecosystem. Features Trained on a database of known vulnerabilities (updated regularly), Snyk Code focuses on secure development: Vulnerability Detection: Performs real-time code analysis during development and commits to catch threats before they reach production. Development Tool Integration: Works with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure Repos, and is compatible with popular IDEs: VS Code, IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, Eclipse. Contextual Fix Recommendations: For every issue found, it provides an explanation and sample fixes, helping developers patch their code quickly and securely. In essence, Snyk Code is best used after you have written the code as an added security layer before deployment. Languages Supported Snyk Code supports major programming languages only: Apex, C, C++, Go, Groovy, Java, Kotlin, JavaScript, .NET, PHP, Python, Ruby, Scala, Swift, Objective-C, TypeScript, VB.NET. Pricing Plans Snyk Code is free for individual use, but teams and companies can choose from the following: Free – Basic analysis with a limit of up to 200 scans per month. Team – Adds support for private repos, CI/CD integration, and advanced security features. Starts at $25/month. Enterprise – Includes local deployment, advanced analytics, and enterprise-level controls. Custom pricing. While Snyk Code doesn’t generate code, its powerful analysis tools and free tier perfectly justify its inclusion in any list of the best free AI tools for coding. 6. Documatic Documatic is an AI that automatically generates documentation and enables codebase exploration. It analyzes the project, extracts key information, and structures it for easy reference. Features Documatic is designed for codebase analysis; all other functionality stems from this core: Automatic Documentation Generation: Produces detailed code explanations, reducing the need for manual comments. Code Search and Navigation: Responds to developer queries with relevant code snippets and context. Project Structure Visualization: Displays project components (dependencies, microservices, repos) as interactive graph nodes, useful for understanding complex architectures. Code Explanation: Clarifies algorithms and logic, making unfamiliar projects easier to understand. Documatic is passive: it doesn’t generate code, only analyzes and documents it. Languages Supported It supports modern interpreted and compiled languages: Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, C#, PHP. Pricing Plans Documatic keeps things simple with just two tiers: Free – Full basic functionality for solo developers, including auto-documentation. No cost. Team / Enterprise – A combined tier for corporate use, offering unlimited analysis, integrations, reporting, and collaboration tools. Custom pricing. While it’s easy to chase the best AI coding tools, it’s crucial to remember: the developer matters more than the AI. Skills, logic, creativity, and experience outweigh any neural network’s output. You should only upgrade to premium tools when free features no longer meet your needs. 7. Mintlify Mintlify is a comprehensive online platform for automating code documentation with AI. Unlike Documatic, Mintlify offers cloud hosting with visually styled, user-accessible documentation sites. For instance, a developer or team building a JavaScript library can generate full documentation from a GitHub repo, resulting in a live, multi-page site with API references. These pages are editable using a WYSIWYG editor. Fun fact: Anthropic uses Mintlify to power the documentation for Claude. Features Mintlify connects the project’s codebase to a public-facing documentation site, offering: Automated Documentation Generation: Generates detailed documentation (including API references) directly from your codebase. Version Control Integration: Syncs with GitHub and GitLab, ensuring documentation updates automatically when the code changes, which makes it perfect for CI/CD pipelines. Documentation Site Hosting: Creates a stylish, SEO-optimized site with editable sections. Analytics & Feedback: Provides user analytics and supports direct feedback collection to improve documentation quality. While powerful, Mintlify has a learning curve as its feature-rich interface takes time to master. Languages Supported Supports 12 modern languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, C, C++, PHP, Java, C#, Ruby, Rust, Dart, Go. Pricing Plans Mintlify offers four plans: Hobby – Free plan for individuals with full standard functionality. Pro – Advanced configuration and analytics. Starts at $150/month. Growth – Allows full customization, branding removal, and other perks. Starts at $550/month. Enterprise – Full configuration control and dedicated support. Custom pricing. Where other AI coding tools show their intelligence directly, Mintlify’s AI works silently in the background. At first glance, it may seem like a manual documentation editor; however, over time, it reveals itself as an automation powerhouse, seamlessly connecting code to documentation. 8. Codeium Codeium is an AI-powered coding assistant that consists of several products built on artificial intelligence: Windsurf Editor – an integrated development environment (IDE) with built-in AI. Forge – an AI assistant for code analysis and review. In addition to these, there’s a browser-based chat called Live, as well as numerous IDE extensions – Codeium Extensions. The Codeium Windsurf Editor integrated development environment, with the code editor on the left and the AI chat on the right. Source: codioailab.com Features Codeium offers a wide range of features that assist during coding and code editing: Code Autocompletion: Provides intelligent suggestions as you type. Chat Assistant: A built-in AI chat can explain code snippets in detail, offer refactoring suggestions (passively while you write), and answer programming questions directly within the development environment. It can also advise on build commands and configuration. Intelligent Search: Ensures quick access to classes, methods, functions, and code fragments, streamlining navigation in large codebases. Essentially, Codeium aims to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for virtually all coding scenarios – all powered by AI. Languages Supported Supports all popular programming languages, including: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Java, C#, PHP, Ruby, Kotlin, Swift. Pricing Plans Codeium offers several pricing plans for both individual developers and entire teams: Free – All standard features. Free of charge. Pro – Expanded context and deeper AI understanding, faster autocompletion, and other advanced features. Starting at $15/month. Pro Ultimate – Even more useful tools and priority support. Starting at $60/month. Teams – Collaboration and analytics tools for teams. Starting at $35/month. Teams Ultimate – Enhanced AI model access. Starting at $90/month. Enterprise SaaS – Custom pricing upon request. 9. Gemini Gemini is a versatile AI developed by Google. Despite being relatively new, it rounds out our list of the top AI coding assistants in 2025. Unsurprisingly, it’s a direct competitor to both ChatGPT and Claude.  Features It’s important to recognize that Google is a major player (arguably a monopolist) in the software market. With vast cloud infrastructure, massive data resources, and many popular services (plus its own OS, Android), Gemini offers a broad array of capabilities for working with both text and visual data: Text Generation, Analysis, and Translation. Image Generation and Analysis: Generates images from text prompts and can also analyze images and describe their contents. Code Generation and Analysis: Generates code snippets in any language and format. Also understands and analyzes code, providing suggestions for improvement. Google also offers the Gemini Code Assist extension for popular IDEs. Integration with Google Services: Integrated with many Google apps and Android tools. Fast Response Generation: Provides answers faster than ChatGPT and generally operates at a higher speed. Large Context Window: Can handle up to 1 million tokens. Notably, the advanced capabilities of Gemini’s language model are available through a special AI Studio for developers. This environment allows not only text-based interaction but also screen sharing for more detailed feedback. AI Studio is designed for app developers who want to test Gemini integration with their products. Languages Supported Gemini supports the following major programming languages: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, Go, TypeScript, C#, Ruby, PHP, Swift, Kotlin, Rust, SQL, HTML, CSS, Bash, Perl, Lua, R, Dart, Scala, Julia, Fortran. Pricing Plans Google offers a fairly straightforward pricing structure for Gemini: Free – Standard model access. Advanced – Enhanced performance, accuracy, and multimodal capabilities. Starting at $22/month. Thus, just like ChatGPT, Gemini is another great free AI for programming, particularly when it comes to working with general-purpose data. The ability to generate not only code but also supporting text is an important asset in development. Conclusion So, what is the best AI for coding? That’s for each user to decide. Some may be satisfied with intelligent autocompletion, while others may require the generation of large code fragments across multiple languages – complete with detailed explanations. Model Type Features Pricing Copilot Specialized Code generation, autocompletion Subscription Tabnine Specialized Autocompletion Subscription ChatGPT General Generation, analysis Free, subscription Claude General Generation, analysis Free, subscription Snyk Code Specialized Analysis Free, subscription Documatic Specialized Documentation Free, subscription Mintlify Specialized Documentation, hosting Free, subscription Codeium Specialized Generation, analysis Free, subscription Gemini General Generation, analysis Free, subscription Ultimately, the most important factor is not the tool itself, but the developer using it. Skills, experience, logic, critical thinking, and creativity all outweigh the capabilities of any neural network. So, switching to paid versions of AI products – whether they’re code generators or analyzers – only makes sense when the free version clearly falls short for your needs.

Artificial intelligence and neural networks are used not only for generating texts and solving mathematical problems. They are also widely applied in medicine, scientific research, finance, marketing, and advertising. There are many different neural networks — some generate only textual data, others create images and videos, and some work with vector graphics.  Today, we will take a detailed look at the 8 best AI apps to use in 2025: Grok, ChatGPT, Gemini Ultra, DeepSeek, MidJourney, Claude, Sora, and Recraft. Grok 3 Our list of the best AI applications in 2025 opens with the AI from xAI called Grok. Grok was designed with a focus on processing and analyzing complex queries. The AI can not only generate text but also, for example, explore social media user profiles, verify links, and analyze uploaded files (including images and PDF documents). The third version of the AI differs from the previous versions (Grok 1 and Grok 2) by improved performance, extended functionality, and a changed approach to training. Key features of Grok 3 include: Increased computational power. The model was trained on the Colossus supercomputer equipped with approximately 200,000 Nvidia GPUs, which significantly increased accuracy and depth of data processing. New versions of built-in models. Grok 3 introduced new models — Grok 3 Reasoning and Grok 3 mini Reasoning. These models use a “chain of thought” approach that allows them to analyze tasks step-by-step, verify their conclusions, and correct mistakes. Information retrieval from various external sources. Grok 3 has introduced a new feature called DeepSearch, which searches the internet and social media, providing the AI with more flexibility in information retrieval and response generation. Use of synthetic data. Earlier Grok versions primarily used human-created data. Grok 3 actively incorporates synthetic data in training, increasing model adaptability and reducing bias. New functionality. Grok 3 includes new modes — Think and Big Brain — which enhance the response generation process for complex queries. Image generated by Grok from the prompt 'Draw Dubai city at night' ChatGPT-4.5 No list of the best AI applications would be complete without mentioning ChatGPT. The flagship product of OpenAI, released in late November 2022, caused a sensation worldwide. ChatGPT can be used for a wide range of tasks, from creating texts of any complexity to use in medicine and scientific research. As of May 2025, the latest version is ChatGPT-4.5, which offers the following features: Multimodal support. This means the model can analyze images along with text. For example, a user can upload an image and ask the AI to describe it or answer questions about its content. Improved accuracy in responses. ChatGPT 4.5 significantly improves fact-checking and generates more accurate answers compared to versions 3.5 and 4, which sometimes provide unverified or false information. Enhanced safety mechanisms. Version 4.5 features stronger filters to reduce bias and improve safety, resulting in fewer inappropriate or offensive responses. Image generated by ChatGPT from the prompt 'Draw Dubai city at night' Gemini Ultra Search giant Google also contributed to the development of neural networks by releasing Gemini Ultra in December 2023. As a multimodal neural network, Gemini Ultra is integrated into Google’s ecosystem. It processes not only text data but multimedia, including images and videos. The AI’s applications range from search and data analysis to creative content generation. Gemini Ultra is considered a serious competitor to ChatGPT. Key features include: Support for multiple data formats. Unlike most other models, Gemini Ultra was built to handle various data types (text, images, audio), enabling it to analyze images or generate code from text prompts. High performance in query processing. Based on a multimodal architecture, Gemini Ultra shows impressive results in tasks requiring cross-modal reasoning. Image generated by Gemini from the prompt 'Draw Dubai city at night' DeepSeek R1 Chinese company DeepSeek, developer of the AI of the same name, caused a sensation in the AI world. On January 27, 2025, when DeepSeek R1 was released, it became the most downloaded AI app worldwide and caused market excitement, affecting stock prices of global tech firms (Nvidia, Advantest, Tokyo Electron, Renesas Electronics, SoftBank Group). This was preceded by news that DeepSeek R1’s development cost was much lower than competitors. It also used fewer chips and had an optimized architecture. Communication between chips was enhanced to reduce data volume for memory saving and implement the Mix-of-Models method. DeepSeek R1 positions itself as a competitor to ChatGPT and other language models. Its applications range from solving math problems and learning programming to composing complex texts and writing scientific articles. Main advantages of DeepSeek R1: Architecture. It uses a Mixture-of-Experts architecture, consisting of many specialized subnetworks, each handling specific data types or tasks, providing high performance with less computational cost compared to similar-sized models. Open source. Unlike most AI models, DeepSeek R1 is open source, allowing users to view, improve, and modify the AI code. Training process. Training uses Reinforcement Learning, a method where the AI learns by trial and error to optimize its decisions and become smarter. Text generated by DeepSeek from the prompt 'Tell me 5 reasons to visit Dubai' Midjourney V6.1 While many neural networks focus on text, the popular Midjourney AI changes the interaction by generating images from text prompts. Version V6.1, released in July 2024, has the following features: Improved image quality. Generated images look much better—more detailed, realistic, and with natural textures. Better handling of complex requests. It processes complex prompts more effectively, reducing the need for repeated clarifications. New upscaling modes. Two new upscaling modes were added: Upscale Subtle (doubles resolution without altering the image) and Upscale Creative (also doubles resolution but adds creative changes). Both enlarge images up to 2048x2048 pixels. Faster image generation. A Turbo mode introduced in March 2024 speeds up generation by 3.5 times. Claude 3 Claude 3 is a neural network and family of language models released in March 2024 by Anthropic. It is positioned as a versatile solution for a wide range of tasks and an alternative to other neural networks such as ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini Ultra, etc. Claude 3 is trained on a variety of internet text data and incorporates extensive user feedback to improve response accuracy. Features: Three distinct models: Claude 3 Haiku: Basic model for short texts, translation, and data structuring. Claude 3 Sonnet: Standard model balancing speed and quality, suited for large and analytical data. Claude 3 Opus: Advanced model for complex tasks like forecasting, process automation, and scientific data processing. Enhanced context understanding. Uses advanced algorithms and can handle large volumes of text and images. Text generated by Claude from the prompt 'Tell me 5 reasons to visit Dubai' Sora OpenAI, best known for ChatGPT, released a new service called Sora in February 2024. It generates short (up to one minute) Full HD videos from user text descriptions. The model was trained on a large video dataset and can create videos on various topics. Features include: Full built-in video creation functionality. Besides generating videos from text, Sora includes editing tools like Remix (element modification), Storyboard (scene assembly), Loop (looping), and Blend (video transitions). Style support is also available. Recraft Closing our list of the top AI apps is Recraft, a tool for creating and editing images and graphic content. Launched in 2023, by 2025 it became popular among creative users. Recraft can create images based on text descriptions with specific styles and edit existing images by removing/replacing objects or changing backgrounds. Main features: Creation of various image types. Can generate both raster and vector graphics. Customization. Users can select size, style, color palette, and fine-tune details like color, element placement, detail level, and add text. Image generated by Recraft from the prompt 'Draw Dubai city at night' Conclusion: Comparative Table We reviewed 8 top AI applications for 2025. The market offers various AI tools not only for text but also for photo and video creation. Each service has unique features. For clearer comparison, see the table below: Neural Network Developer Main Purpose Multimodality Pricing Policy Features Grok xAI General queries, reasoning Yes (text, images) Paid plans, free tier exists High accuracy, single interface for text and images ChatGPT OpenAI Text generation, dialogue, data analysis Yes (text, images) Free and paid plans Versatile, voice support, fast response generation Gemini Ultra Google DeepMind Text, images, code generation Yes (text, images, audio) Free and PRO plans in some countries Google ecosystem integration, high performance, task-specific models DeepSeek DeepSeek AI Text, scientific articles, code generation No (text only) Free (open source), paid API Open source, optimized for technical tasks Midjourney Midjourney Image creation No (images only) Free limited use, paid plans High image quality, supports references Claude Anthropic Text, big data analysis, automation, forecasting Yes (text, images) Free limited use, paid plans High performance in creative and technical tasks Sora OpenAI Video creation No (video only) Paid plans, free limits High-quality videos, cinematic style, text-based generation Recraft Recraft Image creation and editing No (images only) Paid plans, free limits Suitable for design and commercial use