Continue vs Text Embeddings Inference
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted local llm runners options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Continue
Open-source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains
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Text Embeddings Inference
Fast inference server for text embedding models
| Feature | Continue | Text Embeddings Inference |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 35,374 | ★ 4,985 |
| First released | 2023 | 2023 |
| Replaces | GitHub Copilot, Cursor | OpenAI Embeddings API |
Why pick each one
Choose Continue if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Mature project with 35.4k GitHub stars
- Written in TypeScript
Choose Text Embeddings Inference if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (5k GitHub stars)
- Written in Rust
Frequently asked questions
Is Continue or Text Embeddings Inference better?
Continue is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Text Embeddings Inference if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Continue and Text Embeddings Inference free and open-source?
Yes. Continue is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Text Embeddings Inference under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Continue and Text Embeddings Inference with Docker?
Continue: check the project docs for container support. Text Embeddings Inference: yes.