Best Coding Models as of January 2026
Best Coding Models as of January 2026
Overview of AI in Coding
- The speaker shares insights on the best coding models available in January 2026, drawing from over a year of experience building SAS applications using AI.
- Emphasizes that the content is aimed at individuals looking to bootstrap SAS companies without needing external funding or co-founders.
Top Coding Models
1. Opus 4.5 by Anthropic
- Identified as the leading model for coding tasks, with exceptional capabilities across various complexities in SAS product development.
- Noted for its efficiency but criticized for being relatively expensive due to high token consumption during usage.
2. Sonnet 4.5 by Anthropic
- Used successfully by the speaker to build their first SAS application, demonstrating good performance and efficiency.
- While it required more adjustments than Opus 4.5, it remains a strong alternative if access to Opus is limited.
3. OpenAI's Codeex
- Recognized for its security features, which are increasingly vital as reliance on AI-generated code grows.
- Often utilized to review code generated by other models to identify potential security vulnerabilities.
Emerging Competitors
Google's Gemini
- Acknowledged for its improving capabilities and cost-effectiveness; however, less experience with this model has been noted.
- The speaker expresses hope that Gemini can match or approach the performance of Anthropic's models while being more budget-friendly.
Summary of Recommendations
- Recaps that Opus 4.5 is currently the top choice, followed closely by Sonnet 4.5 and then Codeex and Gemini based on specific needs like security and cost-effectiveness.
Practical Application Tips
- Advises signing up for an account with Anthropic’s Claude Code to utilize either Opus or Sonnet effectively.
- Suggestion to manage costs carefully when using these models, including upgrading accounts for better capacity while maintaining fixed monthly pricing options.