CLI Comparison

Cheaper than Claude Code and without rate limits!

Same models + free and open-weight. Mix DeepSeek, Qwen, MiniMax with Anthropic and OpenAI models. Zero markup on the token price. Save up to 90% with Kilo.

Install Kilo CLI

See CLI Documentation

See Kilo CLI in Action

Best for:

Claude Code

You exclusively use Claude models and never need alternatives
You want deep sub-agent orchestration, hooks, and plugins
Terminal-first composability (piping, CI/CD integration) is your priority
Cross-surface continuity (terminal \u2194 web \u2194 desktop \u2194 iOS)

Kilo CLI

You want 500+ models including Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek
You need inline tab autocomplete (Claude Code has none)
You prefer free BYOK or pay-as-you-go vs $100–200/mo Max subscriptions
You value open source transparency (Apache-2.0)
You want dedicated workflow modes + visual app builder + deploy

Feature-by-feature comparison

A detailed comparison of model selection, pricing, workflow modes, and platform features.

Models Supported

Claude Code

Claude only (Opus 4.8, Sonnet 4.6, Haiku 4.5)

Kilo CLI

500+ (Claude Opus 4.8, GPT-5.5, Gemini, DeepSeek, local models, and more)

Tab Autocomplete

Claude Code

❌ No autocomplete at all

Kilo CLI

✅ Codestral-powered inline FIM

Pricing

Claude Code

Max 5x $100/mo or Max 20x $200/mo for full access; Pro $20/mo has heavy rate limits

Kilo CLI

Free with BYOK or pay-as-you-go at exact API rates—zero markup

Open Source

Claude Code

❌ Closed source

Kilo CLI

✅ Apache-2.0

SOC 2 Compliant

Claude Code

✅ Yes

Kilo CLI

✅ Yes (trust.kilo.ai)

Workflow Modes

Claude Code

Always-agentic + custom sub-agents with YAML

Kilo CLI

5 modes (Ask, Architect, Code, Debug, Orchestrator) + custom

Local Models

Claude Code

❌ Not supported

Kilo CLI

✅ Ollama, LM Studio

IDE Extension

Claude Code

✅ VS Code + JetBrains (panels, terminal-first)

Kilo CLI

✅ VS Code + JetBrains (native)

Background Agents

Claude Code

✅ Local background agents (Ctrl+B)

Kilo CLI

✅ Cloud Agents (remote)

Hooks / Lifecycle Automation

Claude Code

✅ PreToolUse, Stop, PermissionRequest, etc.

Kilo CLI

❌ Not available

Deploy / App Builder

Claude Code

❌ Not available

Kilo CLI

✅ Both included free

Team Plan

Claude Code

Team Premium ~$100–125/seat/mo for Claude Code access (Team Standard excludes it)

Kilo CLI

$15/user/mo + AI at provider cost

Feature	Claude Code	Kilo CLI
Models Supported	Claude only (Opus 4.8, Sonnet 4.6, Haiku 4.5)	500+ (Claude Opus 4.8, GPT-5.5, Gemini, DeepSeek, local models, and more)
Tab Autocomplete	❌ No autocomplete at all	✅ Codestral-powered inline FIM
Pricing	Max 5x $100/mo or Max 20x $200/mo for full access; Pro $20/mo has heavy rate limits	Free with BYOK or pay-as-you-go at exact API rates—zero markup
Open Source	❌ Closed source	✅ Apache-2.0
SOC 2 Compliant	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (trust.kilo.ai)
Workflow Modes	Always-agentic + custom sub-agents with YAML	5 modes (Ask, Architect, Code, Debug, Orchestrator) + custom
Local Models	❌ Not supported	✅ Ollama, LM Studio
IDE Extension	✅ VS Code + JetBrains (panels, terminal-first)	✅ VS Code + JetBrains (native)
Background Agents	✅ Local background agents (Ctrl+B)	✅ Cloud Agents (remote)
Hooks / Lifecycle Automation	✅ PreToolUse, Stop, PermissionRequest, etc.	❌ Not available
Deploy / App Builder	❌ Not available	✅ Both included free
Team Plan	Team Premium ~$100–125/seat/mo for Claude Code access (Team Standard excludes it)	$15/user/mo + AI at provider cost

Why Developers Choose Kilo CLI Over Claude Code

Use Any Model, Not Just Anthropic Models

Claude Code is locked to 3 Claude models. Kilo CLI supports 500+ models from 60+ providers. Use Claude Opus 4.8 when it's the best fit, GPT-5.5 for another task, or DeepSeek when cost matters—all from the same interface.

Zero Markup Pricing

Claude Code requires Max 5x ($100/mo) or Max 20x ($200/mo) for full access—Pro at $20/mo has heavy rate limits. With Kilo CLI, you pay exactly what the API provider charges—nothing more. Free with BYOK, or pay-as-you-go at exact rates.

Dedicated Workflow Modes

Kilo CLI offers 5 purpose-built modes—Ask, Architect, Code, Debug, and Orchestrator—plus custom workflows designed for different development phases.

Open Source Transparency

Kilo CLI is fully open source. You can inspect the code, contribute improvements, and trust exactly what's running on your machine. Claude Code is proprietary.

The CLI is one part of the platform. With Kilo, You Also Get:

Cloud Agents

Access Kilo from the web without a local machine. Run resource-exhaustive tasks in the cloud and sync results back to your local environment.

View Documentation

IDE Extensions

Seamlessly switch between CLI and IDE. VS Code, JetBrains—same agent, same sessions, same context.

View Documentation

Deploy

One-click deployments from within Kilo. Push to production with the same context and workflow you used to build.

View Documentation

App Builder

Visual editor to prototype apps. See changes live and iterate quickly. Export to Kilo when you're ready to move beyond visual editing.

View Documentation

Agent Manager

Stop and start agents in one click. Switch contexts easily between different tasks without losing progress.

View Documentation

Sessions

Persistent across all interfaces, resume and share from anywhere. Your context and progress carry seamlessly between App Builder, IDE, CLI, and Cloud.

View Documentation

Voice Prompting

Speak your prompts naturally. No typing needed—just talk and code.

View Documentation

Code Reviews

Automatic PR reviews with the same models and credits. Inline GitHub comments, configurable review styles.

View Documentation

Try Kilo CLI Today

500+ models. Tab autocomplete. 5 workflow modes. Zero markup. Open source.

Install Kilo CLI

See CLI Documentation