TL;DR: Winner for SWE Coding Interviews: InterviewCoder
Why: InterviewCoder is positioned as a technical-interview-first product with a coding-first workflow (screen + audio → solution + explanation). It has a dedicated engineering team focused on undetectability with frequent updates, and the founders are publicly known, unlike many anonymous competitors. LockedIn AI is broader (multi-industry + multiple model options + collaboration), but is less specialized for deep coding rounds.
Bottom line: If you only care about passing technical screens efficiently in 2026, InterviewCoder is the better pick.
AI interview copilots have split into two camps: specialists built primarily for technical coding interviews, and generalists built for interviews + professional meetings across many roles.
InterviewCoder is positioned as a dedicated assistant for technical interviews (especially coding rounds) with a desktop app and real-time audio support, plus a free trial and a lifetime plan.
LockedIn AI is positioned as a broader "interview & professional meeting copilot," with role coverage across multiple interview types, a free tier, multiple paid plans (including credit-based options), and collaboration features like LockedIn Duo.
Below is a practical, decision-focused comparison to help you pick the right tool for your interview style and budget.
Important note on policies/ethics: Many employers and interview platforms have rules about outside assistance during evaluations. Use these tools in a way that aligns with the rules of your process (for example, mock interviews and prep). When in doubt, ask what's allowed.
1. Quick Verdict
Choose InterviewCoder if...
- Your #1 goal is software engineering coding interviews (LeetCode-style rounds, online coding screens, technical loops)
- You want a lifetime option instead of ongoing monthly payments
- You need broad programming language coverage (Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, Kotlin, Swift, SQL, Go, Rust, and more)
- You prioritize undetectability with a dedicated engineering team and frequent updates
- You prefer a transparent team with publicly known founders
Choose LockedIn AI if...
- You want one tool for interviews + professional meetings across many scenarios (system design, behavioral, consulting, PM, etc.)
- You want more flexible pricing (including credit plans where credits never expire)
- You value model choice + collaboration (multiple AI models and LockedIn Duo for inviting a trusted helper)
2. InterviewCoder vs LockedIn AI: At-a-Glance Comparison
Best for
- InterviewCoder: SWE technical coding interviews
- LockedIn AI: Broad interview + meeting copilot across roles
Free plan
- InterviewCoder: Free trial (3 problem solutions)
- LockedIn AI: Free tier with 10 daily credits
Monthly pricing
- InterviewCoder: $299/month
- LockedIn AI: $69.99/month
Lifetime option
- InterviewCoder: Yes ($799 one-time)
- LockedIn AI: No
Programming languages
- InterviewCoder: Python, Java, JS, C++, Kotlin, Swift, SQL, Go, Rust, C#, Ruby
- LockedIn AI: Coding support included; varies by model
AI models
- InterviewCoder: Fine-tuned for technical interviews
- LockedIn AI: DeepSeek, Azure OpenAI, Gemini, Claude, Grok
Audio support
- InterviewCoder: Yes (real-time transcription)
- LockedIn AI: Yes (system audio capture)
Collaboration
- InterviewCoder: Not available
- LockedIn AI: LockedIn Duo (invite a helper)
Response time
- InterviewCoder: Near-instant (<1 second)
- LockedIn AI: 116ms average latency
User base
- InterviewCoder: 97,000+ developers (SWE/Data/ML only)
- LockedIn AI: 869,852+ users (all industries)
Undetectability focus
- InterviewCoder: Dedicated engineering team, frequent updates
- LockedIn AI: Stealth mode available on paid plans
Team transparency
- InterviewCoder: Founders publicly known
- LockedIn AI: Not publicly disclosed
Community
- InterviewCoder: 20,000+ weekly Reddit visitors, private groups
- LockedIn AI: Not publicly disclosed
3. Coding Interview Performance (SWE Focus)
For SWE coding rounds (DSA, live coding, CodeSignal/CoderPad-style prompts), product focus matters: InterviewCoder is positioned as a technical-interview-first tool, while LockedIn AI is positioned as a broader interview and career platform.
Why InterviewCoder Wins for SWE Coding Interviews
- Purpose-built technical interview workflow: capture prompt (screen/audio) → structured solution and explanation
- SWE-focused positioning ("trusted by 97,000+ devs") and product messaging centered on technical rounds
- Dedicated focus on undetectability: InterviewCoder has a dedicated engineering team that focuses specifically on making the software undetectable. This includes frequent updates to stay ahead of new proctoring methods and platform changes. The team actively researches how platforms like HackerRank detect cheating to continuously improve their stealth capabilities
- Transparent, public-facing team: Unlike many competitors who operate anonymously, InterviewCoder's founders are publicly known (doxxed). This accountability signals a more trustworthy and legitimate operation
- Frequent software updates: The engineering team ships regular updates to maintain invisibility across evolving interview platforms (Zoom updates, CoderPad changes, new proctoring tools, etc.)
- Momentum metric (vendor-reported): InterviewCoder reported 106 "cracked interviews" in the second week of January 2026
- Community signal: users in InterviewCoder's subreddit discuss technical loops at top companies and some report it helped them "ace the rounds" (anecdotal)
Where LockedIn AI Can Still Be the Better Choice
- You want one platform for interviews + meeting copilot + job application automation + reports
- You want multi-industry templates (consulting, finance, sales, PM) rather than a coding-first tool
- You value collaboration: LockedIn markets "Remote Assist / Duo" so a trusted helper can support you in real time
Why the user base numbers differ: LockedIn AI's 869,000+ users includes all industries and job types (sales, customer service, retail, hospitality, etc.). InterviewCoder's 97,000+ users are exclusively software engineers, data scientists, and ML engineers. For technical interviews specifically, InterviewCoder's focused user base is more relevant.
4. AI Models and Specialization
The public evidence we can safely state is that InterviewCoder positions itself as specialized and fine-tuned for technical interviews (which usually implies a higher concentration of SWE-style examples and evaluation). However, neither vendor publishes a verifiable dataset breakdown, so avoid claiming a measurable training-data advantage unless you can cite an official statement.
InterviewCoder
- Fine-tuned models specifically optimized for coding interviews
- SWE-specialized with explicit support for 11+ programming languages
- Focus on LeetCode-style problems, DSA, and technical interview patterns
LockedIn AI
- Multi-model architecture: DeepSeek, Azure OpenAI, Google Gemini, Claude, and Grok
- Broader, multi-industry copilot supporting multiple interview types
- Integrated web search for real-time information retrieval
Key takeaway: InterviewCoder is SWE-specialized (fine-tuned for coding interviews). LockedIn AI is a broader, multi-industry copilot that supports multiple models and collaboration.
5. Pricing Snapshot (January 2026)
Prices change frequently. Always verify current pricing on each vendor's official pricing page before publishing.
InterviewCoder Pricing
- Free Trial: $0 — 3 free problem solutions
- Monthly Pro: $299/month — 1,000 usage credits per month
- Lifetime Pro: $799 one-time — Unlimited lifetime access
Source: InterviewCoder Pricing Page
LockedIn AI Pricing
- Free Tier: $0 — 10 credits daily (~10 min)
- Pro: $69.99/month — 200 credits/month
- Genesis (Quarterly): $149.97/quarter — 600 credits/quarter
- Apex (Annual): $419.88/year — 2,400 credits/year
Important: LockedIn AI credits never expire. If you cancel, you keep all unused credits. Desktop access and "stealth mode" may depend on tier.
Source: LockedIn AI Pricing Page
Bottom Line on Value
- If you strongly prefer a lifetime plan: InterviewCoder is the clear fit ($799 one-time vs. ongoing monthly payments)
- If you want lower monthly entry pricing: LockedIn AI's credit-based model is easier to budget, especially for occasional use
- Break-even point: InterviewCoder's lifetime plan pays for itself after ~3 months vs. their monthly rate, or ~12 months vs. LockedIn's Pro plan
6. Privacy, Security, and Interview Policy Risk
Both products require sensitive permissions (microphone, sometimes screen capture) to deliver real-time help. Before using any interview copilot, confirm what your target company and platform allow. Some organizations treat real-time assistance as a policy violation.
Practical Privacy Checklist
- Use a dedicated OS user profile for interview tools
- Review permissions (microphone, accessibility, screen recording) and revoke after use
- Avoid uploading offer letters or documents containing addresses/IDs
- Prefer vendors that clearly document retention, deletion, and encryption policies
InterviewCoder Privacy Highlights
- Users may submit or instruct the service to collect audio recordings, transcriptions, and/or screenshots
- Desktop app operates outside browser environment
- Process masking to avoid detection in Activity Monitor
LockedIn AI Privacy Highlights
- Collects voluntarily provided information (name/email)
- User-generated content
- Describes retention policies and deletion after long inactivity
- States it does not sell personal data
- May share with affiliates and third-party providers (analytics, payments)
General Best Practice
Review privacy policies, retention controls, and whether data is used for training or shared with vendors—particularly if interviews include proprietary details. Risk and compliance concerns around AI transcription tools are real, especially when sensitive conversations could be stored or processed by third parties.
7. Community Proof
InterviewCoder has built one of the largest communities in the AI interview copilot space. Their subreddit attracts 20,000+ weekly visitors, making it a hub for candidates preparing for technical interviews at top companies.
Active Reddit Community
- 20,000+ weekly visitors on their subreddit
- Private groups where users share strategies and tips
- Real interview posts where members share their actual interview experiences and outcomes
- Active discussions about technical loops at FAANG and top startups
On InterviewCoder's subreddit, users discuss technical interview loops at top companies. For example, one post about Anthropic interview rounds states that InterviewCoder "helped me ace the rounds."
"InterviewCoder helped me ace the rounds" - User discussing Anthropic technical interview loop (r/InterviewCoder, anecdotal)
Note: Treat this as anecdotal user sentiment, not a guarantee. Individual results vary based on preparation, interview difficulty, and many other factors.
8. Which One Should You Choose?
Pick InterviewCoder if you are:
- A SWE candidate doing mostly LeetCode-style coding rounds
- Willing to pay more for a specialist tool and/or want a lifetime license
- Interviewing in multiple programming languages and want an explicit supported-language list
Pick LockedIn AI if you are:
- Interviewing across multiple round types (behavioral + system design + cross-functional + case)
- Want lower monthly entry pricing or credit-based budgeting
- Want collaboration (Duo) or model choice to tune speed vs. depth
Final Verdict: InterviewCoder Wins (for SWE Technical Interviews)
For software engineering coding interviews in 2026, InterviewCoder is the better choice because it's more narrowly optimized for coding prompts and technical interview flows. LockedIn AI is still a strong option if you want a broader, multi-industry platform with collaboration features and a larger career toolkit.
Simple tie-breaker:
- If your interviews are 90% coding: Pick the coding specialist (InterviewCoder)
- If your interviews are multi-round and mixed: Pick the broader copilot (LockedIn AI)
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Is InterviewCoder better than LockedIn AI for coding interviews?
For SWE coding interviews, InterviewCoder is typically the better pick because it is positioned as a technical-interview-first tool. LockedIn AI is broader and can be better for multi-industry coaching.
Does LockedIn AI have a coding copilot?
Yes. LockedIn AI markets coding and online assessment copilots, plus a desktop app and web app depending on your plan.
Do credits expire on LockedIn AI?
No. LockedIn AI states that credits never expire, even after cancellation, although premium-only features may require an active plan.
Is it OK to use an AI interview copilot in live interviews?
Policies vary by company and platform. Always follow the rules for your interview. Many employers treat real-time assistance as a violation of assessment integrity.
Does InterviewCoder have a free trial?
Yes. InterviewCoder offers a free trial that includes 3 free problem solutions—no credit card required.
Does InterviewCoder offer a lifetime plan?
Yes. InterviewCoder offers a Lifetime Pro plan for a one-time payment of $799, providing unlimited lifetime access to all features.
What AI models does LockedIn AI use?
LockedIn AI is powered by multiple models including DeepSeek, Azure OpenAI, Google Gemini, Claude, and Grok. It also includes integrated web search for real-time information retrieval.
What programming languages does InterviewCoder support?
InterviewCoder explicitly supports Python, Go, C#, Rust, SQL, Ruby, Java, JavaScript, C++, Kotlin, and Swift.
Summary: InterviewCoder vs LockedIn AI
Best for coding-only interviews: InterviewCoder
Best for mixed interview types: LockedIn AI
Lifetime pricing option: InterviewCoder
Lowest monthly entry price: LockedIn AI (free tier + credit plans)
Collaboration features: LockedIn AI (Duo)
AI model choice: LockedIn AI
Explicit language support list: InterviewCoder
Fastest documented response time: LockedIn AI (116ms)
Undetectability engineering: InterviewCoder (dedicated team + frequent updates)
Team transparency: InterviewCoder (founders publicly known)
Largest community: InterviewCoder (20k+ weekly Reddit visitors)
Related Reddit Thread
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Using AI assistance during interviews may violate company policies and terms of service. Always review and understand the rules of your interview process before using any assistance tools.
