Top 12 Generative AI Tools Every Developer Needs

Generative AI tools empower developers to transform their coding, product design, and problem-solving capabilities. If you’re a developer, you know how important it is to stay productive, and exploring these advanced tools unlocks new levels of productivity and innovation when generating content and converting codes into different programming languages.

At Aloa, we harness cutting-edge tools to elevate the software development process. We leverage the latest technological advancements, including generative AI, to make sure your projects exceed industry standards. Our dedicated product owner and network of top-tier development teams are dedicated to helping clients harness the power of generative AI tools to enhance efficiency and innovation in every software project.

With our expertise in using advanced AI tools and technologies, we’ll break down each tool’s capabilities in programming code, translating languages, producing images or videos, and more. After reading, you’ll find the right tools to streamline your development process and level up your creativity. 

What Are Generative AI Tools?

Generative AI tools are software applications or platforms that use artificial intelligence to create new, unique content based on advanced algorithms and existing data. It leverages statistical models to generate creative outputs, such as texts, images, and audio, in response to natural language prompts that simplify the content creation processes.

How Generative AI Differs From Other AI Technologies

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) generates new and original content, like stories and images, using advanced machine learning models that mimic human creativity. Here is a list of what sets it apart from other AI technologies:

• Content Creation vs. Analysis and Automation: Generative AI uses models like GANs and Transformers to create videos, texts and images. In contrast, other AI technologies analyze new data, make predictions, or automate tasks through predictive analytics or robotic process automation.
• Model Complexity vs. Training: Generative AI uses complex models and extensive training data to create generated content, mimicking human intelligence with high computational demands. Other AI technologies, like classification or regression, focus on task-specific optimization without generating new content.
• Applications and Use Cases: Generative AI aids creative fields by generating content, designs, and media, with tools like Jasper for creative writing and Runway for video. Other AI technologies empower industries by optimizing tasks, improving efficiency, and enabling accurate decision-making, such as fraud detection and supply chain management.
• User Interaction and Customization: With generative AI, users can customize outputs through prompts and parameters, offering creative control and tailored content. Other AI technologies involve less user interaction and focus on processing inputs to produce predefined outputs or insights.

Different Generative AI Applications 

Here’s how generative AI is applied in various sectors and software development: 

• Healthcare: In drug discovery, synthetic data can be generated to train new AI models.
• Manufacturing: Speeds up design by creating and testing different options based on project needs.
• Code Translation: Converts code from one programming language to another. Developers can integrate systems and work on different platforms without learning every language. 
• Code Generation: Automatically creates code snippets, improves existing code, and finishes code based on partial inputs. Developers can speed up development and focus on more complex tasks.

12 Top Generative AI Tools for Developers

In the next sections, we’ll explore some of the top generative AI tools for developers, highlight their unique features, and show how they can enhance software development.

1. OpenAI Codex - Transforms Natural Language Into Seamless Code

OpenAI Codex is a powerful AI tool that helps developers write code by converting natural language into code. It’s built on advanced language models like GPT-3 and GPT-4 and trained on billions of code lines from public sources. Codex excels in Python but supports over a dozen other languages, including JavaScript, Go, and Swift.

OpenAI Codex enhances productivity by automating routine coding tasks like writing boilerplate code to save time and reduce errors. It helps refactor and optimize code, offering suggestions for cleaner, more efficient implementations. This tool also translates code between languages that help developers excel in multi-language projects or when migrating codebases.

Notable Features of OpenAI Codex

• Natural Language to Code: Interprets commands into executable code, making it easier for developers to build applications using a natural language interface.
• Multi-language Proficiency: Works well with multiple programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, Go, PHP, and Swift.
• Integration with GitHub Copilot: OpenAI Codex powers GitHub Copilot, which provides code suggestions and auto-completions directly in a developer’s coding environment. 

OpenAl Codex Pricing Plans

The pricing plans for OpenAl Codex are based on every million tokens of text you send (input) and receive (output) from the model.

• GPT-4o: The cost is $5.00 per million input tokens and $15.00 per million output tokens. The Batch API reduces the cost to $2.50 per million input tokens and $7.50 per million output tokens.
• GPT-4o-2024-08-06: The price for input tokens is $2.50 per million, and for output tokens, it is $10.00 per million. With the Batch API, the cost is $1.88 per million input tokens and $7.50 per million output tokens.
• GPT-4o-2024-05-13: Input tokens are priced at $5.00 per million, while output tokens cost $15.00 per million. Batch API usage costs $2.50 per million input tokens and $7.50 per million output tokens.

2. GitHub Copilot - The Most Widely Adopted Generative AI Tool

Copilot has been game-changing for us. I would estimate at minimum it has sped things up at least 50% when it comes to building our own internal products. — Chris Raroque

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant integrated with popular IDEs. Developed by OpenAI and GitHub, it provides intelligent code suggestions, explanations, and context-aware assistance that streamlines the coding process and supports various programming languages. 

Notable Features of Github Copilot

• Intelligent Code Suggestions: Offers real time, context-aware code completions based on your input.
• Rapid Prototyping: Allows quick experimentation and code prototyping.
• Learning from Open Source Code: Uses patterns from open source repositories to provide relevant coding suggestions.

GitHub Copilot Pricing Plans

• Individual ( $10/month): Provides monthly access to GitHub Copilot.
• Business ($19/user/month): Designed for teams, this plan provides Copilot access to each user, is billed monthly, and includes team-based features.
• Enterprise ($39/user/month): Suitable for larger organizations, it includes additional enterprise-level features and is billed monthly per user.

3. Google Cloud AI - Best for Building Intelligent, Scalable Applications

Google Cloud AI easily integrates advanced AI into your apps with pre-trained models for image recognition, speech-to-text, and more. If you need something more tailored, this AI platform builds and trains custom models with popular tools. It simplifies the whole process so developers can create powerful and new models with minimal coding. 

Notable Features of Google Cloud AI

• Complete AI Development Platform: Supports the entire AI lifecycle from data prep to model deployment with tools like TensorFlow and PyTorch, integrated with GCP storage and BigQuery.
• Sophisticated Machine Learning Features: Facilitates complex ML applications, including generative AI and large language model (LLM), with features like AutoML for hyperparameter tuning and easy API integration.
• Flexible Customization and Automation: Offers extensive customization and automation for tailoring AI models, managing workflows, and automating tasks in Python and serverless environments.

Google Cloud AI Pricing Plans

Google Cloud AI’s pricing is part of the Vertex AI pricing, which covers services like the AI Platform. Users pay only for the service used with a pay-as-you-go model. For a tailored cost estimate, request a custom quote from Google Cloud’s sales team.

4. AlphaCode (DeepMind) - Premier Choice for Superior Code Solutions

AlphaCode is a transformer-based language model that revolutionizes coding with advanced assistance across multiple programming languages, including Python and C++. This generative AI tool excels in generating code, resolving bugs, and optimizing solutions for developers. It enhances coding workflows and proficiency with smart filtering and real-time suggestions. 

Notable Features of AlphaCode

• Code Completion and Suggestions: Predicts and recommends code completions based on context, reducing manual typing and minimizing errors.
• Real-Time Error Detection and Correction: Identifies and explains code errors as they occur, offering suggestions for fixes to ensure cleaner code.
• Performance Optimization: Analyzes and suggests improvements to code for enhanced performance and efficiency.

AlphaCode Pricing Plans

AlphaCode is free to use. 

5. Hugging Face Transformers - Empowers Developers With Pre-Trained AI Models

Hugging Face Transformers is an open-source framework for deep learning with a wide range of APIs and tools to access and fine-tune pre-trained AI models. It supports diverse tasks across natural language generation, computer vision, audio content, and multimodal applications. The generative AI tool’s pre-trained models can reduce computing costs and save time compared to training from scratch.

Notable Features of Hugging Face Transformers

• Tokenizers: Convert text into machine-readable tokens, essential for processing and generating human language. They handle text segmentation, vector representation, and sequence length adjustments.
• Transformers Library: Provides a suite of pre-trained models for diverse NLP tasks, including text generation, classification, and translation.
• Datasets: Access a repository of NLP datasets to train, test, and benchmark models. Users can easily explore and integrate datasets with its user-friendly interface.

Hugging Face Transformers Pricing Plans

Hugging Face Transformers offers two pricing plans for AI collaboration and computing:

• Free: Offers lifetime access to features like unlimited models and datasets. Users can create unlimited organizations and private repos and receive community support.
• PRO ($9/month): Allows developers to unlock advanced features, including ZeroGPU and Dev Mode for Spaces, higher rate limits, early access to new features, and more.
• Enterprise Hub (Starting at $20/user/month): Enhance your AI operations with SSO and SAML support, data location options, audit logs, granular access control, and priority support.

6. DALL-E - Best for AI Text to Image Generation

DALL-E is OpenAI’s latest advancement in generative AI. It transforms text into photorealistic images with precision. This generative AI tool enhances artistic exploration by converting textual descriptions into detailed visuals. DALL-E has improved safeguards against inappropriate content to ensure a responsible approach and innovation to digital art.

Notable Features of DALL-E

• Image Expansion: Adds more to your images, creating larger and more detailed visuals.
• Enhanced Context Understanding: Turns texts into accurate and detailed images.
• Higher Resolution: Produces clearer and more detailed images at 512×512 pixels.

DALL-E Pricing Plans

DALL·E 3 is accessible to all ChatGPT Plus users for $20 monthly. It's also available to Enterprise users and will be accessible through API and Labs later.

7. Runway - Best Platform for Creative Video and Freeform Exploration

Runway is a startup that builds generative AI tools for content creators. It provides over 30 AI tools to craft videos, images, and animations, including innovations like Gen-3 Alpha. This latest model boosts video generation speed and quality and offers precise control over video content. 

Notable Features of Runway

• Text to Video Generation: Creates videos from simple text prompts, turning descriptions into stunning visuals, animations, or presentations.
• Text to Image Generation: Generates unique images from written descriptions, offering endless artistic expression.
• Video Editing: Offers advanced editing tools with effects, transitions, animations, custom titles, and 3D objects.

Runway Pricing Plans

Runway offers four pricing plans and custom solutions for various needs and creative projects. 

• Basic ($0/month): Ideal for individuals exploring Runway’s AI tools with limited credits and features, including basic video and image generation with watermarks.
• Standard ($15/month per user): For individuals and small teams needing more tools and export options, with monthly credits, watermark removal, and advanced features like high-resolution exports.
• Pro ($35/month per user): Designed for teams needing comprehensive features, including custom voices, extensive asset storage, and advanced export options with a higher credit limit.
• Unlimited ($95/month per user): Provides unrestricted video generations and all Pro features, with no rate restrictions on credits and access to relaxed Explore Mode for high-volume needs.
• Enterprise (Custom pricing): Tailored for large organizations requiring scalable solutions, including custom credits, storage, advanced security, and dedicated support with integrations and analytics.

8. Midjourney - Turns Text Into Art With AI Precision

Midjourney exemplifies the power of generative AI by transforming text prompts into strikingly realistic images. It delivers visually impressive results by utilizing advanced machine learning techniques like large language and diffusion models. Currently, Midjourney operates exclusively through a Discord bot.

Notable Features of Midjourney 

• Style Tuner: Customize image appearance with options for color schemes, textures, and specific character details to achieve a consistent and personalized look.
• Creative Control: Users can customize image size, resolution, aspect ratio, and more for precise results.
• More Realistic Images: Midjourney V5 produces highly realistic images with greater detail and responsiveness to prompts.

Midjourney Pricing Plans

Midjourney offers four subscription tiers:

• Basic Plan ($10/month): Provides 3.3 hours of fast GPU time per month and general commercial usage rights.
• Standard Plan ($30/month): Offers 15 hours of fast GPU time and unlimited relaxed GPU time, with general commercial usage rights.
• Pro Plan ($60/month): Includes 30 hours of fast GPU time, unlimited relaxed GPU time, stealth mode, and general commercial usage rights.
• Mega Plan ($120/month): Features 60 hours of fast GPU time, unlimited relaxed GPU time, stealth mode, and general commercial usage rights.

9. Stable Diffusion - Effortlessly Generate Stunning Artwork and Media

Stable Diffusion is an advanced generative AI model that creates realistic images from text and visual prompts. It generates videos and animations, which makes it a versatile tool for various creative projects. As a latent text-to-image diffusion model, it excels in producing high-quality visuals with speed. 

Notable Features of Stable Diffusion

• Blurring and Sharpening Tools: Blurs the input first, then sharpens it to produce more accurate and creative images.
• Text-to-Image Conversion: Converts descriptive prompts into high-quality, creative, and unique images.
• Image-to-Image Transformation: Generates new images based on input images, enabling transformations like surrealism, hyperrealism, or cartoon styles.

Stable Diffusion Pricing Plans

Stable Diffusion offers three pricing plans:

• Basic ($27/month): Ideal for hobbyists, it offers up to 13,000 image generations, shared GPU access, 3,250 API calls, image editing, video generation, and LLM APIs.
• Standard ($47/month): Suited for individuals and teams, it provides up to 40,000 image generations, 10,000 API calls, access to all APIs, and shared GPUs, with a 10 request per second limit and no image editing, video generation, or LLM APIs.
• Premium ($147/month): Designed for beta launch users, it offers extensive API access and enhanced features, including higher generation limits and priority support.

10. Synthesia - Revolutionizes Video Creation With AI Avatars and Global Reach

Synthesia is an AI-driven video generator that replaces actors and voice overs with AI avatars. Tailored for enterprise and tech businesses, it streamlines the creation of videos for onboarding, training, and product demos. The platform rapidly produces high-quality videos with minimal effort, supporting over 120 languages and various accents, including multiple English dialects.

Notable Features of Synesthesia

• Custom Pronunciation: Use the Diction feature to adjust pronunciations, though some words may still be difficult to pronounce.
• Text-to-Speech: Offers 120+ languages and accents, including various English dialects, with previews for each voice.
• Voice Customization: Change the AI avatar's voice and language anytime, though language changes require script modifications.

Synesthesia Pricing Plans

Synesthesia offers a free version and three pricing plans.

• Free ($0/month): Includes 1 editor, 9 AI avatars, 2 stock personal avatars, and 36 minutes of video per year, with access to 140+ languages and 60+ templates.
• Starter ($29/month): Offers 1 editor, 3 guests, 125+ AI avatars, 3 personal avatars, and 120 minutes of video per year, plus an avatar builder and AI video assistant.
• Creator ($89/month): Provides 1 editor, 5 guests, 180+ AI avatars, 5 personal avatars, and 360 minutes of video per year, with additional features like custom fonts and a branded video page.
• Enterprise (Custom): Includes a customizable number of editors and guests, 230+ AI avatars, unlimited personal avatars and video minutes, advanced team collaboration tools, and priority support.

11. ChatGPT - Most Popular Tool for Enhancing Humanlike Creativity

We actually use ChatGPT a lot when building roadmaps and user stories for clients. For example, it helps us identify possible edge cases that we might have missed. — Chris Raroque

ChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI. Its groundbreaking ability to generate humanlike text captivates the public and highlights the potential and challenges of generative AI. It’s designed for many applications, from content creation to interactive conversations, and can produce coherent and contextually relevant responses.

Notable Features of ChatGPT

• Test Case Generation: ChatGPT can write test cases by identifying logic and structure in provided code, covering different paths and edge cases, and handling large data sets.
• 3D Design Enhancement: ChatGPT-4 enhances 3D modeling by converting text prompts into 3D images, increasing productivity and speeding up the design process, especially when integrated with Unity Editor.
• Data Analysis: ChatGPT-4 efficiently analyzes various types of data—text, tables, or graphs—helping developers quickly process large datasets and perform comprehensive data analysis.

ChatGPT Pricing Plans

ChatGPT offers three pricing plans.

• Free ($0/month): Offers assistance with writing and problem-solving and access to GPT-4o mini with limited features.
• Plus ($20/month): For individuals looking to amplify productivity with early access to new features, enhanced access to GPT-4, GPT-4o, and GPT-4o mini, as well as additional tools like DALL·E and web browsing.
• Team ($25/month): Provides everything in Plus with unlimited access to GPT-4o mini, higher message limits, and administrative tools for workspace management.
• Enterprise: Offers all Team features plus unlimited, high-speed access to GPT-4 and other tools, expanded context windows, enhanced support, and custom data management options.

12. Replicate - Simplifies ML Deployment with Seamless Model Integration and Customization

Replicate is a cloud-based generative AI platform that fine-tunes and deploys machine learning models. It offers API access to a variety of generative models, making it easy to integrate machine learning into your projects. With its open-source tool, users can deploy their custom models seamlessly.

Notable Features of Replicate

• Run Custom Models: Supports execution of personal machine learning models, accommodating both public and private use for diverse projects.
• Extensive AI Model Library: Provides access to a wide range of pre-trained generative AI models for tasks like image generation and natural language processing.
• Python Library Integration: Easily integrates with the Replicate Python library, simplifying the process of running models within your projects.

Replicate Pricing Plans

Replicate's pricing is usage-based, meaning you only pay for the time you actually use. When your models are not running, the cost scales down to zero, so you don’t pay anything. The pricing varies based on the hardware you select, ranging from $0.36 per hour for CPU usage to $40.32 per hour for high-end GPU setups like the 8x Nvidia A100. 

Key Takeaway

Generative AI tools are revolutionizing how developers approach software development, offering innovative solutions that enhance productivity, creativity, and efficiency. These tools are indispensable for modern developers looking to stay competitive and push the boundaries of what's possible in technology.

Despite their potential, they present challenges like intellectual property concerns, a steep learning curve, and overreliance, which may stifle creativity. Integrating these tools into existing workflows can also be complex, and keeping up with best practices concerning artificial intelligence may be challenging.

Looking to seamlessly integrate generative AI tools while managing data privacy and workflow complexity? Aloa provides robust outsourcing strategies with expertly vetted development teams and a strong management network. For more insights and to stay ahead in the competitive tech landscape, contact us via dawei@aloa.co today.