Claude Code
Tops Terminal-Bench 4.0 and handles big multi-file changes best.
$20/mo
Best coding agents
Short answer: Claude Code. Claude Code is the strongest coding agent right now, with Codex close behind and cheaper to run.
Which AI should write my code?
Google Antigravity
A full Google coding agent for $0, with a weekly quota.
Free, then $20/mo
OpenCode
Free, open source, and runs well with Qwen3.8 on your machine.
FreeSome setupOpen
OpenAI Codex
ChatGPT Plus at $20 includes Codex with roomy GPT-6.1 Sol limits.
Free, then $20/mo
Opus 5.5 (September), GPT-6.1 Sol (September) and Gemini 4 Argon (October) arrived; Cursor rebuilt its plans around Grok in October.
All 12 side by side.
Price, whether it runs on your own computer, and the main catch.
| # | Tool | Best for | Price | On your PC | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Claude CodeAnthropicBest overall | Big changes across a whole project | $20/mo | No | No free plan: Claude Free does not include Claude Code |
| 02 | OpenAI CodexOpenAI | ChatGPT users who code | Free, then $20/mo | No | Plus: about 15 to 160 messages per 5 hours on GPT-6.1 Sol |
| 03 | CursorAnysphere (SpaceX) | Coding inside a familiar editor | Free, then $8/mo | No | Claude and GPT cost extra at API prices, not in the plan |
| 04 | GitHub CopilotGitHub (Microsoft) | Everyday coding on a budget | Free, then $10/mo | No | Since June 2026, chat stops when monthly AI credits run out |
| 05 | Google AntigravityGoogle | Free agent coding with Gemini | Free, then $20/mo | No | Google publishes no exact limits, they change with demand |
| 06 | Devin DesktopCognition | Running several agents at once | Free, then $20/mo | No | Windsurf name and Cascade agent are gone, old guides are outdated |
| 07 | KiroAmazon Web Services | Planned, spec-first projects | Free, then $20/mo | No | 50 free credits go fast on real projects |
| 08 | OpenCodeOpenCode (Anomaly) | Free or fully local coding | Free | Some setup | Free models are temporary and some are blocked by country |
| 09 | ClineCline | VS Code users who want control | Free | Some setup | Paying per use can cost more than a flat plan |
| 10 | ZedZed Industries | Speed lovers who want AI | Free, then $10/mo | Some setup | Pro includes only $5 of AI use a month |
| 11 | AiderAider (community) | Terminal users with their own keys | Free | Technical | No new release since August 2025, falling behind |
| 12 | Gemini CLIGoogle | Companies on Gemini Code Assist | Paid | No | Free and Google AI Pro users moved to Antigravity CLI, June 2026 |
Nothing matches. Try another filter.
Pros and cons of all 12
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Claude Code
Anthropic · Opus 5.5
The strongest coding agent today, top of Terminal-Bench 4.0.
Best overall- Price
- From $20/mo
- On your PC
- No, online only
- Ranked first on Terminal-Bench 4.0 with Opus 5.5
- Plans and edits across many files on its own
- No free plan: Claude Free does not include Claude Code
- Usage caps reset every 5 hours plus a weekly cap
-
OpenAI Codex
OpenAI · GPT-6.1 Sol
OpenAI's coding agent, included with ChatGPT plans.
Best valueFree plan- Price
- Free plan, then $20/moChatGPT Free and Go include limited Codex use.
- On your PC
- No, online only
- Comes with ChatGPT Plus, no extra subscription
- Runs tasks in the cloud while you do other things
- Plus: about 15 to 160 messages per 5 hours on GPT-6.1 Sol
- Weekly limits may apply on top, numbers not published
-
- Price
- Free plan, then $8/moLimited agent and chat requests.
- On your PC
- No, online only
- Polished editor based on VS Code
- Fast autocomplete that predicts your next edit
- Claude and GPT cost extra at API prices, not in the plan
- Weekly usage pool shared with Grok apps on X
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GitHub Copilot
GitHub (Microsoft)
Cheap, solid AI helper inside the editors you already use.
Free plan- Price
- Free plan, then $10/mo2,000 code completions a month plus limited chat and agent.
- On your PC
- No, online only
- Works in VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio and more
- Unlimited completions on Pro, they do not use credits
- Since June 2026, chat stops when monthly AI credits run out
- Free plan cannot assign tasks to the coding agent
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Google Antigravity
Google · Gemini 4 Argon
Google's free agent app and CLI, now with Gemini 4 Argon.
Best freeFree plan- Price
- Free plan, then $20/moWeekly quota with Gemini 3.8 Flash; you wait when it runs out.
- On your PC
- No, online only
- Real agent app free, no credit card
- Desktop app plus Antigravity CLI for the terminal
- Google publishes no exact limits, they change with demand
- Free tier resets weekly, not every 5 hours
-
- Price
- Free plan, then $20/moLight agent quota, unlimited Tab completions and inline edits.
- On your PC
- No, online only
- Full editor plus local and cloud agents
- Can host Codex and Claude agents inside it
- Windsurf name and Cascade agent are gone, old guides are outdated
- Quotas refresh daily and weekly, amounts not published
-
- Price
- Free plan, then $20/mo50 credits a month, open models and Claude Sonnet 4.5.
- On your PC
- No, online only
- Clear credit counts, easy to predict the bill
- Turns a request into a spec and task list first
- 50 free credits go fast on real projects
- Bigger models use credits faster, unused credits expire monthly
-
OpenCode
OpenCode (Anomaly) · v1.19.5
Free open source coding agent that works with any model.
Best on your computerFreeOpen sourceRuns on your PC- Price
- Free, open sourceFree app plus free models, no account needed, for a limited time.
- On your PC
- Some setup24 GB graphics card or 32 GB Mac for a good local model
- Terminal, desktop app and editor extension
- Connect Claude, GPT, Gemini or a local model
- Free models are temporary and some are blocked by country
- Quality depends on the model you choose
-
Cline
Cline · v4.1.26
Open source agent inside VS Code, bring any model.
FreeOpen sourceRuns on your PC- Price
- Free, open sourceExtension is free; you pay the model provider or use local.
- On your PC
- Some setup24 GB graphics card or 32 GB Mac for a good local model
- Asks before each file change or command
- Works with Ollama and LM Studio for local models
- Paying per use can cost more than a flat plan
- Setup takes longer than Claude Code or Cursor
-
Zed
Zed Industries · v1.27.0
Very fast open source editor with built-in AI agents.
Free planOpen sourceRuns on your PC- Price
- Free plan, then $10/moEditor free forever; bring your own keys, local models or agents.
- On your PC
- Some setup24 GB graphics card or 32 GB Mac for a good local model
- Opens and types noticeably faster than VS Code
- Runs Claude Code, Codex and others inside it
- Pro includes only $5 of AI use a month
- Fewer extensions than VS Code
-
Aider
Aider (community) · v0.86.0
The original open source terminal coding helper.
FreeOpen sourceRuns on your PC- Price
- Free, open sourceFree software; pay your model provider or run a local model.
- On your PC
- Technical24 GB graphics card or 32 GB Mac for a good local model
- Works with almost any model, including local ones
- Commits each change to git so you can undo
- No new release since August 2025, falling behind
- Command line only, not for beginners
-
- Price
- Paid
- On your PC
- No, online only
- Open source and still updated
- Fine for companies already paying for Code Assist
- Free and Google AI Pro users moved to Antigravity CLI, June 2026
- Not tuned for Gemini 4 models, says Google
4 of these run on your own computer.
Private and offline. Check what your machine can handle.
| Tool | Setup | You need |
|---|---|---|
| OpenCode | Some setup | 24 GB graphics card or 32 GB Mac for a good local model |
| Cline | Some setup | 24 GB graphics card or 32 GB Mac for a good local model |
| Zed | Some setup | 24 GB graphics card or 32 GB Mac for a good local model |
| Aider | Technical | 24 GB graphics card or 32 GB Mac for a good local model |
Quick answers.
What is the best AI for coding right now?
Claude Code with Opus 5.5. It ranks first on Terminal-Bench 4.0 at 64.8%, ahead of Codex with GPT-6.1 Sol at 58.2%. Codex is the better deal if you already pay for ChatGPT.
Is there a free AI coding agent?
Yes. Google Antigravity is free with a weekly quota. GitHub Copilot Free gives 2,000 completions a month. OpenCode is free software and offers some free models for a limited time.
Claude Code vs Codex, which is better?
Claude Code scores higher on Terminal-Bench 4.0 and is better at large changes. Codex comes with ChatGPT Plus, runs tasks in the cloud and its GPT-6.1 Sol model is much cheaper per task.
Can I run an AI coding agent offline on my own computer?
Yes. Use OpenCode, Cline or Zed with Ollama or LM Studio and a model like Qwen3.8 27B. You need about a 24 GB graphics card or a 32 GB Mac. It is slower and weaker than Claude Code.
Why do I keep hitting usage limits?
Most plans cap use every 5 hours and every week. Claude Pro, ChatGPT Plus and Google AI Pro all work this way. Copilot and Kiro use monthly credits instead. Long agent sessions use the most.
What happened to Windsurf and Gemini CLI?
Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026. Gemini CLI stopped serving free and Google AI Pro users on 18 June 2026; Google moved them to Antigravity CLI.
Rankings we read: Terminal-Bench 4.0, SWE-bench. Prices from each official pricing page, checked 2026-11-05.
Recent coding agents news.
-
Coding agents
Grok, X and Cursor now share one subscription
SpaceX folded Grok, X Premium and the Cursor code editor into one X Subscription from $8 to $200 a month, replacing SuperGrok.
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AI chat
Anthropic releases Claude Opus 5.5 at lower prices
Claude Opus 5.5 scores higher than Opus 5 on coding tests, costs about 40% less to run, and paid Claude plans get higher limits.
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