Kite vs. Tabnine: The Ultimate Autocomplete Battle

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Background: Kite and Tab 9
3. Differences Between Kite and Tab 9
4. Functionality and Features
   • Documentation Support
   • Autocomplete Options
   • Memory Usage
5. Pricing Comparison
   • Kite Pricing
   • Tab 9 Pricing
   • Discounts for Students
6. Objective Data: testing Autocomplete Efficiency
   • Baseline Test
   • Comparison to Built-in Autocomplete
   • Free Version of Kite
   • Kite Pro
   • Free Version of Tab 9
   • Tab 9 Pro
7. Personal Experience and Final Thoughts
   • Applicability to Different Use Cases
   • Efficiency of Completions
   • Working with Familiar Libraries
   • The Importance of Machine Learning-Based Autocomplete
8. Conclusion
9. Resources

🖥️ Introduction

In today's fast-paced coding environment, having a reliable code auto-completion tool can greatly boost productivity and efficiency. Two popular machine learning-based auto-completion tools, Kite and Tab 9, have emerged as strong contenders in this space. In this article, we will compare these two tools to determine which one is better suited for various programming needs.

📚 Background: Kite and Tab 9

Kite and Tab 9 are both code auto-completion tools that utilize machine learning algorithms to provide intelligent suggestions while coding. Although Kite offers additional functionality beyond auto-completion, Tab 9 focuses primarily on providing accurate and efficient suggestions. While Kite may undergo rebranding due to recent acquisitions, its core software remains intact.

🔍 Differences Between Kite and Tab 9

The main point of distinction between Kite and Tab 9 lies in their scope of functionality. Whereas Kite offers comprehensive features, including built-in documentation, Tab 9 is primarily an auto-completion plugin. Additionally, there are differences in terms of memory usage and pricing models, which we'll explore later in this article.

🧰 Functionality and Features

Documentation Support

Kite sets itself apart by providing built-in functionality for documentation. It offers an optional window that displays Relevant documentation for the code being worked on. This feature enhances productivity by providing quick access to necessary information. On the other HAND, Tab 9 focuses solely on providing highly accurate autocomplete suggestions without offering extensive documentation support.

Autocomplete Options

Both Kite and Tab 9 offer autocomplete options to streamline coding processes. Kite's autocomplete pop-up includes information such as function arguments, helping developers fill out code more efficiently. Tab 9, however, emphasizes longer suggestions that are remarkably accurate. This distinction allows Tab 9 to save more keystrokes and improve overall coding speed.

Memory Usage

In terms of memory usage, both Kite and Tab 9 Consume approximately 800 megabytes of RAM. Previous reports of varying memory consumption may be outdated or configuration-specific. While it's important to consider memory usage, it does not significantly impact the performance of either tool.

💰 Pricing Comparison

When exploring auto-completion tools, pricing is an essential factor to consider. Kite, prior to its acquisition, offered a subscription plan of $16.58 per month when billed annually. Although Kite's software is still accessible, they are no longer accepting new users. However, a cheaper personal use plan was available for approximately $10 per month. On the other hand, Tab 9 is slightly more expensive, with a price point of $12 per month. Notably, Tab 9 recently introduced a free version for students with an edu domain email.

📊 Objective Data: Testing Autocomplete Efficiency

To gauge the autocomplete efficiency of Kite and Tab 9, an objective comparison was conducted. Several tests were performed, including a baseline test without autocomplete, a comparison with built-in autocomplete, and tests with the free and pro versions of both tools.

The baseline test, consisting of 450 key presses without autocomplete, served as the point of reference. Comparison with the built-in autocomplete functionality of popular code editors revealed the advantages of machine learning-based suggestions. Notably, autocomplete reduced key presses from the baseline, highlighting the efficiency of Kite and Tab 9.

In the free version tests, the number of key presses was noticeably reduced. Tab 9's free version provided more completions than Kite, resulting in further keystroke savings for users. Moving on to the pro versions, both Kite Pro and Tab 9 Pro exhibited improved performance, and their keystroke counts were comparable.

👨‍💻 Personal Experience and Final Thoughts

Based on personal experience, the choice between Kite and Tab 9 heavily depends on individual programming needs. Kite proves beneficial for learning new libraries and working with unfamiliar code, thanks to its extensive documentation functionality. However, Tab 9 surpasses Kite when it comes to accuracy and efficiency of completions. With longer suggestions that require fewer keystrokes, Tab 9 demonstrates its effectiveness, particularly for users working with familiar libraries.

Machine learning-based autocomplete tools, such as Kite and Tab 9, significantly enhance coding speed and productivity. The difference in experience without these tools becomes evident when one switches back and forth between their usage. While Kite and Tab 9 provide similar functionality, the efficiency and suitability to specific coding scenarios become essential factors for consideration.

🎉 Conclusion

In conclusion, Kite and Tab 9 are both valuable code auto-completion tools that harness the power of machine learning. While Kite offers additional features and extensive documentation support, Tab 9 shines through its accurate and efficient completions, especially for users proficient in their coding environment. Considering personal programming needs, typing speed, and familiarity with libraries will help determine the better fit between these two tools.

📚 Resources

• Kite: kite.com
• Tab 9: tabnine.com