Open Source AI Models for Coding in 2026: Qwen2.5-Coder, DeepSeek-Coder and Llama - Best Local Code LLMs
The best open-source coding models of 2026 - Qwen2.5-Coder, DeepSeek-Coder, Llama 3.1 - run locally via Ollama (177,825 stars) with zero cost and full privacy for autocomplete, refactoring and code review.
💡 What You Will Learn
The best open-source coding models of 2026 - Qwen2.5-Coder, DeepSeek-Coder, Llama 3.1 - run locally via Ollama (177,825 stars) with zero cost and full privacy for autocomplete, refactoring and code re
📜 Table of Contents
The short answer
Coding models are the highest-value open-source LLM category: they replace paid Copilot-style subscriptions and keep your code private. The three families to know: Qwen2.5-Coder (best overall per-size), DeepSeek-Coder (strong for complex tasks), and Llama 3.1 (generalist that codes well).
Which model to pull
# 1.5B - autocomplete on weak machines (4GB RAM)
ollama pull qwen2.5-coder:1.5b
# 7B - the sweet spot (8GB RAM)
ollama pull qwen2.5-coder:7b
# 14B/32B - serious refactoring (16GB+ RAM)
ollama pull qwen2.5-coder:14b
Speed vs capability tiers
| Model | RAM | Best for | Speed (CPU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| qwen2.5-coder:1.5b | 4GB | Autocomplete | 20-40 tok/s |
| qwen2.5-coder:7b | 8GB | Chat + edit | 8-15 tok/s |
| qwen2.5-coder:14b | 16GB | Refactor + review | 4-8 tok/s |
| deepseek-coder:6.7b | 8GB | Complex algorithms | 8-15 tok/s |
Connect to your editor
- Continue (35,326 stars) - VS Code copilot replacement, point it at Ollama.
- Cline (65,673 stars) - agent mode for bigger tasks.
- Any OpenAI-compatible client:
http://localhost:11434/v1.
Real numbers
- Qwen2.5-Coder matches or beats older GPT-4-class models on HumanEval-style benchmarks at a fraction of the size.
- 7B models on a 16GB Mac deliver ~20-40 tokens/sec - fast enough for real coding sessions.
- Local coding models keep your source code 100% private - no code ever leaves the machine.
FAQ
Q: Can it replace GitHub Copilot? A: For most daily work - yes. The gap narrows every release; use it with Continue/Cline for a Copilot-like experience.
Q: Which size should I pick? A: Start with 7B. If autocomplete feels slow, drop to 1.5B; if answers are too shallow, go 14B.
Q: Are these really free? A: Yes - Apache-2.0 or permissive licenses (check each), no API fees, no code sharing.
❓ FAQ
Can it replace GitHub Copilot?
For most daily work - yes. The gap narrows every release; use it with Continue/Cline for a Copilot-like experience.
Which size should I pick?
Start with 7B. If autocomplete feels slow, drop to 1.5B; if answers are too shallow, go 14B.
Are these really free?
Yes - Apache-2.0 or permissive licenses (check each), no API fees, no code sharing.
Written by our editorial team; tools listed here are tested or verified against public sources. Links point to official sites or GitHub repos for reference only โ no paid placements.
