Review: Programming with AI: Devin vs ChatGPT o3 mini vs ChatGPT o1 (Pro)
In the world of AI-assisted development tools, there are plenty of choices nowadays. Below, I share my personal experiences with three different services: Devin, ChatGPT o3 mini (high), and ChatGPT o1 (Pro). Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and I hope my insights will help you choose the right tool for your workflow.
Devin
Integration with github
Devin integrates seamlessly with GitHub, which is one of the tool’s biggest advantages. It can pull code directly from the repository and search through it, making feedback and collaboration much smoother. In an ideal scenario, Devin would generate code as well as ChatGPT o1 (Pro), which would more than justify its higher price, thanks to its “self-regulating” concept and GitHub integration.
Pros and cons
- Strong frontend support: Especially handy for consolidating CSS or maintaining a consistent look and feel in the front end.
- Limited in more complex backend tasks: In my C# projects, I noticed that Devin does not check whether the code still compiles after changes. This can result in incomplete or error-prone code.
- Tricky setup & QWERTY limit: Configuration is not immediately plug-and-play, and the fixed QWERTY keyboard setting is an obstacle for European users accustomed to other layouts.
- Onboarding at American times: You get one free onboarding call, but it is only offered at night (due to the West Coast time zone).
- High cost: Devin charges $500 for 250 “units” (1 unit = 15 minutes of use). That comes down to about $8 per hour. Note that the tool only shuts down after 30 minutes of inactivity. If you switch to something else for a while, you’ll quickly rack up extra charges.
Conclusion Devin
Devin stands out due to its GitHub integration and its ability to independently review your code. This is especially useful for frontend or smaller tasks. For more advanced backend challenges, Devin falls short. If its code quality improves in the future, the premium price tag and self-regulating approach could become highly appealing.
ChatGPT o3 mini (high)
Fast, lightweight and to the point
ChatGPT o3 mini (high) is a lighter and faster variant within the ChatGPT family. Its responsiveness is high, allowing you to quickly get started with new ideas or code snippets.
Limited memory for context
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Repeating previously solved problems:
If you first solve problem A in one session and then move on to problem B, o3 mini may sometimes want to re-solve problem A, as if it no longer “knows” that a working solution has already been found. -
Failure to include full history:
For very extensive prompts or projects that involve a lot of code and instructions, o3 mini (high) may have trouble remembering all the context. As a result, it sometimes misses parts shared earlier in the session, leading to incomplete or less optimal code proposals.
Conclusion o3 mini (high)
Are you looking for a quick and easy AI assistant to support you in small tasks? Then o3 mini (high) is a great option. For complex or multi-layered projects, where you frequently refer back to previously generated code, this mini version sometimes struggles to hold the full context and may repeat previously resolved issues.
ChatGPT o1 (Pro)
Extensive possibilities
The transition from ChatGPT o1 to o1 (Pro) especially offers more freedom. It allows you to ask unlimited questions and use several “chats” or prompts at once, which is very nice for those who work intensively and in parallel.
Longer prompts and error messages
- Extensive prompts: For large amounts of code and context, the generated output is usually detailed and well-aligned.
- Error messages on extremely large prompts: With very extensive or complex tasks, o1 (Pro) may sometimes indicate that it cannot process the prompt or may display an error message. You have to retry the prompt, which can take up to about 5 minutes each time.
Conclusion o1 (Pro)
For those who often need AI support, ChatGPT o1 (Pro) is a solid investment. The possibility of unlimited use and running prompts in parallel is a big advantage. Just keep in mind that for very long or complex prompts, the tool may require multiple attempts, which can slow down your workflow.
Overall Final Verdict
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Devin:
- Plus: Excellent GitHub integration, self-regulating concept (where it can “look” through the code).
- Min: Higher price tag, less suitable for backend or more complex tasks, and tricky setup.
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ChatGPT o3 mini (high):
- Plus: Very fast and therefore useful for small and short prompts.
- Min: Sometimes loses the thread with a lot of context or repeats previously solved problems.
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ChatGPT o1 (Pro):
- Plus: Provides unlimited prompts, parallel sessions and in-depth answers when given sufficient context.
- Min: For very long prompts, error messages can occur, sometimes requiring you to repeat multiple times, which can cost precious time.
Summary: The choice depends mostly on your type of projects and budget. If you work in a large team with a lot of backend complexity, then ChatGPT o1 (Pro) is usually the best choice. If you go for speed in smaller tasks, then choose o3 mini (high). Devin may be interesting thanks to its self-service GitHub integration, provided code quality continues to improve and you are willing to invest in the pricing model.
Tip: With each platform, try to keep an eye on how much context your prompt contains, test the code yourself and evaluate whether your tool of choice meets your needs in the long run.
