OpenCode
Free, MIT-licensed app; bring provider keys or use optional OpenCode services.
OpenCode Go is $5 for the first month, then $10/month with usage limits. BYOK and Zen costs vary. OpenCode pricing source
OpenCode is the better fit for open-source, provider-flexible, local-first coding. Claude Code is the better fit for a managed Claude-native agent across terminal, IDE, desktop, web, mobile, and enterprise workflows.
You want MIT-licensed source, 75+ providers, local models, a local web UI, and control over how and where the agent runs.
You want Anthropic’s integrated Claude experience, managed remote execution, cross-device continuity, and mature team or enterprise controls.
There is no universal winner: the decision is provider freedom and local control versus a more integrated, managed Claude experience.
The tools charge for access differently. Prices and usage limits were checked on July 22, 2026 and can change.
Free, MIT-licensed app; bring provider keys or use optional OpenCode services.
OpenCode Go is $5 for the first month, then $10/month with usage limits. BYOK and Zen costs vary. OpenCode pricing source
Included with paid Claude plans or available through Console/API usage.
Pro is $17/month annually or $20 monthly, Max starts at $100/month, and Team standard seats are $20/month annually or $25 monthly. Claude pricing source
Both tools offer one-line native installs. OpenCode also supports package managers and release binaries; Claude Code also offers Homebrew, WinGet, IDE plugins, desktop apps, and a no-install managed web experience.
curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/install | bashThen run opencode in your project. npm, pnpm, Bun, Yarn, Homebrew, Windows package managers, Docker, and release binaries are also documented.
Official installation guidecurl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bashThen run claude in your project. Anthropic also documents Homebrew, WinGet, VS Code/Cursor, JetBrains, desktop, and claude.ai/code paths.
Official installation guideOpenCode is the better fit when you want an open agent you can inspect, run with many providers, and keep close to your terminal workflow. It combines open source, local models, LSP-aware coding, multi-session work, and local terminal, desktop, IDE, or browser operation. Provider documentation
Claude Code is less open, but more platform-complete. Anthropic ships official surfaces for terminal, VS Code, Cursor, JetBrains, desktop, web, GitHub, GitLab, Slack, scheduled tasks, custom agents, skills, hooks, and managed agents. Claude Code documentation
Product details were checked against first-party documentation on July 22, 2026. OpenCode sessions are not shared by default, but the selected model provider still processes prompts and context; its optional share feature uploads conversation data until a session is unshared.
OpenCode is MIT-licensed and developed in the open. That matters if your team wants to inspect the agent, contribute fixes, or avoid a closed vendor surface.
OpenCode emphasizes any-model usage through Models.dev, plus existing Copilot and ChatGPT subscriptions. It is a better fit when model choice is part of your workflow.
OpenCode keeps the terminal at the center, with a polished TUI, LSP-aware context, sessions, two primary agents, and three built-in subagents.
Claude Code has sub-agents, background agents, hooks, skills, Agent SDK, and managed cloud/web workflows tied directly to Anthropic’s platform.
Claude Code spans terminal, VS Code, Cursor, JetBrains, desktop, managed web, iOS and Android, Slack, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI/CD.
If procurement, security review, and model evaluation already center on Anthropic, Claude Code gives you the most direct path to those models and controls.
Use Claude, GPT, Gemini, local models, or 500+ hosted models across IDE, CLI, and cloud workflows.