Poolside

Build with open-weight agentic coding models that can run on-device or scale via API for complex software development tasks.

Leverage Poolside's Laguna model family to automate and refine your coding workflows with research-backed AI agents.

Best forDevelopers wanting to build with agentic coding models.

DifferentiatorOpen-weight agentic models with on-device capability.

ProofLaguna XS 2.1 (33B params) is downloadable; Laguna M.1 (225B params) is available via API.

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Free Plan Pricing on request

8.8 Zekai

Agentic Coding Powerhouse

AI for Software Development

Ease of Use

7.0

Accuracy

9.3

Value

8.8

Time Saving

9.1

Agentic CodingOpen-Weight ModelsOn-Device CapableAPI AccessResearch-Backed

📊 Independently tested and scored. How we score →

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⚡ Quick answer

For AI Software Development, Poolside is a top choice for professionals seeking direct access to powerful agentic coding models. It provides the Laguna family of models, including a version for secure, on-device execution and a larger API-accessible model for complex tasks, giving developers unparalleled flexibility and control over their AI-driven workflows.

CategoryCode Automation

Best ForDevelopers wanting to build with agentic coding models.

Price FromFree (on-device)

FreeYes (Downloadable Model)

DifferentiatorOpen-weight agentic models with on-device capability.

ProofLaguna XS 2.1 (33B params) is downloadable; Laguna M.1 (225B params) is available via API.

Rating4.4/5

📖 About Poolside

Poolside provides open-weight foundation models for agentic coding. It offers the Laguna family of models, including a lightweight version for on-device execution and a larger, more capable model accessible via API for advanced software development.

Real Impact

Before & After

❌ Before

Stuck performing tedious, multi-step coding tasks and refactoring manually.

Hours of manual coding

✅ After

Automate entire software development workflows with an AI agent.

AI-driven task execution

Social Proof

Trusted by professionals

Ease of Use

7.0

Accuracy

9.3

Value

8.8

Time Saving

9.1

"The on-device capability of Laguna XS is a game-changer for us. We get powerful agentic assistance without any data leaving our network. Incredible performance."

David R., Principal Engineer · June 2026

"Poolside's 'The Model Factory' blog is as valuable as the models themselves. Understanding their methodology helps us build better systems on top of their work."

Sophie M., AI Researcher · May 2026

"Laguna M.1 is incredibly powerful for complex tasks, but the API documentation could be more comprehensive. It took some trial and error to get our first major agent running."

Chen L., Backend Developer · June 2026

"Being able to use this via OpenRouter made integration into our existing CI/CD pipeline almost trivial. We're automating entire test suites now."

Alex B., Startup CTO · April 2026

Poolside+ professionals are already using this tool.

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Connects With

Works with your existing stack

OpenRouter

Setup complexity: Advanced

Who It's For

Why Software Development choose this tool

🎯

Built for

It's best for developers and researchers who require transparent, powerful, and adaptable agentic models for automating complex coding tasks.

In-Depth Overview

For software developers focused on AI-driven automation, Poolside offers a distinct advantage with its 'open-weight' agentic coding models. Unlike closed-source alternatives, Poolside provides direct access to its Laguna model family. The Laguna XS 2.1 is a 33B parameter model optimized to run on-device, giving you local, private, and fast coding assistance without relying on cloud APIs. For more complex, long-horizon tasks, the Laguna M.1 offers 225B parameters of power, accessible via API and through platforms like OpenRouter. The company's 'work in the open' philosophy is backed by an extensive blog series, 'The Model Factory,' detailing their research on training, evaluation, and reinforcement learning from code execution. This transparency allows developers to understand the engineering behind the models, providing deeper insight than a typical black-box tool. This makes Poolside a strong choice for developers who want to not just use AI for coding, but to build with, understand, and even refine the underlying models themselves.

Key Use Cases

🤖

Train and Evaluate Custom Agents

AI Researcher

Use the provided runtime and open-weight models as a foundation for experimenting with new agentic architectures and training methodologies.

Faster research iteration

💻

Automate Complex Refactoring

Backend Developer

Leverage the Laguna M.1 API to script and execute long-horizon coding tasks, like refactoring a legacy service or migrating a database schema.

Reduced manual coding hours

🔒

Run a Powerful Coding AI Locally

Security-Conscious Engineer

Download and run the Laguna XS 2.1 model on-device to get AI coding assistance without sending proprietary code to a third-party cloud service.

100% on-premise code processing

✓ Pros

Provides open-weight models, offering transparency and flexibility.

Includes a lightweight model (Laguna XS) that can run on-device.

Offers a highly capable large model (Laguna M.1) for complex agentic tasks.

Research-first approach with public documentation on training and methodology.

Direct download and API access provide multiple integration paths.

· Cons

Lacks a user-friendly interface or IDE plugin out-of-the-box.

Pricing for API access is not publicly available.

Primarily for developers comfortable with APIs and model implementation, not beginners.

⚡ Editorial Verdict

Poolside is a powerful, research-forward platform for developers wanting to go beyond simple code completion. Its open-weight models offer flexibility, but the lack of a traditional GUI or IDE integration means it's best suited for those comfortable working with APIs and command-line tools.

See all Software Development AI tools → Browse the AI Directory →

Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Poolside's models for free?

Yes, Poolside offers 'open-weight' models. The Laguna XS 2.1 model is available for download to run on your own hardware. The larger Laguna M.1 model is available via API, which may have associated costs.

What is 'agentic coding'?

Agentic coding refers to using AI models that can perform complex, multi-step software development tasks autonomously, like planning, writing, and debugging code over a long horizon, rather than just completing a single line or function.

How do I access the Laguna models?

The Laguna XS 2.1 model can be downloaded directly from the Poolside website to run locally. The Laguna M.1 model is accessible via API and can also be used through platforms like OpenRouter.

Is Poolside suitable for beginners?

Poolside is geared towards experienced developers and AI researchers comfortable working with models, APIs, and command-line interfaces. It does not currently offer a simple GUI or IDE plugin for beginners.

Does Poolside work for developers in Europe?

Yes, as a downloadable model and API-based service, Poolside's models can be accessed and used by developers globally, including in Europe.

Is Poolside available for teams in the USA?

Yes, Poolside is available for use in the USA. They also have a specific offering for US government entities.

Last reviewed: June 2026 — Assessed Laguna model specifications and developer resources.

Plans & Pricing

Start today

Free

Get Started Free

Pro

Pricing on request

Pricing for Laguna M.1 API access is not public. The Laguna XS 2.1 model is free to download and run locally.

Start Pro Plan

Prices and features are updated regularly but can change at any time — always confirm on the official website. Some links on this page are affiliate links.

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Poolside Alternatives (2026)

The best alternatives to Poolside — every tool below is tested and scored by Zekai.

Compare	Poolside	Hugging Face	SuperAnnotate
Zekai Score	8.8/10	9.4/10	9.3/10
Rating	4.4/5	4.7/5	4.7/5
Pricing	Pricing on request	$9/mo	Pricing on request
Free tier	Yes	Yes	No
Best for	It's best for developers and researchers who requi…	Best for developers needing to rapidly prototype a…	AI development teams that require custom, high-qua…

Hugging Face SuperAnnotate _done PoYo.ai Mistral AI Kdeps Neysa n8n

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Disclaimer

Zekai is an independent AI tools directory. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Poolside unless clearly stated. All product names, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. The information on this page — including pricing, features, and availability — is general information, may have changed since our last review, and is not professional advice. Zekai Scores and verdicts are our editorial opinion. Some outbound links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Spotted outdated or incorrect information? Request a correction →

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