--- slug: "claude-code-alternatives" title: "Claude Code alternatives, by what you need instead" description: "When Claude Code does not fit: alternatives for an open license, another model vendor, an editor-first workflow, agents on your own server or your own app." published: "2026-10-15" updated: "2026-10-15" signals_fetched_at: "2026-10-15T05:02:49.930Z" tools: ["aider", "goose", "opencode", "gemini-cli", "openai-codex-cli", "qwen-code", "kilo-code", "cline", "cursor", "github-copilot", "hermes-agent", "openhands", "claude-agent-sdk"] page: "https://agenttooldrop.com/guides/claude-code-alternatives" --- # Claude Code alternatives, by what you need instead Updated 2026-10-15. Page: https://agenttooldrop.com/guides/claude-code-alternatives Claude Code is proprietary, and most of its surfaces need a Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account. If one of those is why it does not fit, or you want it somewhere it does not run, this page groups the alternatives in our catalog by the constraint they answer. Each tool appears once, under the constraint it answers most directly, and each group lists the new and rising tools first, by new and rising score, then the standards by name. For a side-by-side table of the open-source agents, see Open-source coding agents compared. ## At a glance | Tool | Answers | License | Pricing | Install | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Aider](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/aider) | Open license, local models, git commits | Apache-2.0 | Open source | Install with pip and aider-install | | [goose](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/goose) | Open license, desktop app, 15+ providers | Apache-2.0 | Open source | Install the CLI with the install script | | [OpenCode](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/opencode) | Open license, many providers | MIT | Open source | Install OpenCode 2 with npm | | [Gemini CLI](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/gemini-cli) | Gemini models | Apache-2.0 | Open source | Install globally with npm | | [OpenAI Codex CLI](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/openai-codex-cli) | OpenAI models | Apache-2.0 | Open source | Install with the standalone installer (macOS, Linux) | | [Qwen Code](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/qwen-code) | Qwen and other providers | Apache-2.0 | Open source | Install with npm (Node.js 22+) | | [Kilo Code](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/kilo-code) | VS Code, JetBrains and terminal | MIT | Open source | Install the CLI with npm | | [Cline](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/cline) | Open source, in VS Code or JetBrains | Apache-2.0 | Open source | Install the CLI with npm | | [Cursor](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/cursor) | Editor with the agent built in | Proprietary | Free tier + paid | Download from cursor.com/downloads | | [GitHub Copilot](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/github-copilot) | GitHub-centered workflow, many IDEs | Proprietary | Free tier + paid | Install Copilot CLI with npm | | [Hermes Agent](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/hermes-agent) | Self-hosted, chat apps, scheduled jobs | MIT | Open source | Install script (Linux, macOS, WSL2) | | [OpenHands](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/openhands) | Self-hosted, Docker sandboxes, Slack and GitHub triggers | MIT | Open source | Install Agent Canvas with npm | | [Claude Agent SDK](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/claude-agent-sdk) | Same tools, in your own process | Python repo MIT | Paid | Install with pip | ## You need an open license and your choice of model ### Aider Pair programs with an LLM in your terminal, editing files in your git repo and committing each change Pick it if you want local models or any cloud provider, with every change as a git commit you can undo. License: Apache-2.0. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 49,554 stars, last push 2026-05-22. Skip it if: You want an IDE-native agent with visual diffs, or you do not want to manage your own model API keys. Install with pip and aider-install: ```sh python -m pip install aider-install aider-install ``` Install source: https://aider.chat/docs/install.html. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/aider.md ### goose Runs a general-purpose AI agent on your machine as a desktop app, CLI or embeddable API Pick it if you want an Apache-2.0 agent as a desktop app or CLI that works with 15+ providers, including Ollama. License: Apache-2.0. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 55,293 stars, last push 2026-10-15. Skip it if: You want a coding agent built into your IDE; goose runs as its own desktop app or CLI. Install the CLI with the install script: ```sh curl -fsSL https://github.com/aaif-goose/goose/releases/download/stable/download_cli.sh | bash ``` Install source: https://github.com/aaif-goose/goose#readme. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/goose.md ### OpenCode Runs an open-source coding agent in your terminal, desktop app or browser with the LLM provider you choose Pick it if the proprietary license is the problem: OpenCode is MIT and works with many model providers. License: MIT. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 213,573 stars, last push 2026-10-15. Skip it if: You install CLI tools through Windows package managers, which OpenCode 2 does not support; also note OpenCode 1 and 2 cannot be installed side by side under the default command. Install OpenCode 2 with npm: ```sh npm install -g @opencode/cli ``` Install source: https://opencode.ai/v2/docs/. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/opencode.md ## You pay another model vendor ### Gemini CLI Brings Gemini models into the terminal to query and edit codebases, run shell commands and search the web Pick it if your organization has a Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise license, or Gemini API or Vertex AI access. License: Apache-2.0. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 107,372 stars, last push 2026-10-14. Skip it if: You planned to use it for free with a personal Google account or through Google AI Pro or Ultra: Gemini CLI stopped serving those users on June 18, 2026 and Google points them to Antigravity CLI. Install globally with npm: ```sh npm install -g @google/gemini-cli ``` Install source: https://geminicli.com/docs/get-started/installation/. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/gemini-cli.md ### OpenAI Codex CLI Runs OpenAI's coding agent locally to inspect your repo, edit files and run commands from the terminal Pick it if you already have a ChatGPT plan or an OpenAI API key. License: Apache-2.0. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 129,272 stars, last push 2026-10-15. Skip it if: You have neither a ChatGPT plan nor an OpenAI API key, or you would rather work in an editor, where OpenAI points you to its IDE extension or the Codex app. Install with the standalone installer (macOS, Linux): ```sh curl -fsSL https://chatgpt.com/codex/install.sh | sh ``` Install source: https://github.com/openai/codex#readme. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/openai-codex-cli.md ### Qwen Code Runs a coding agent in your terminal that works with Qwen, OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini or local models Pick it if you want Qwen models, or to switch between Qwen, OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and local models at runtime. License: Apache-2.0. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 28,487 stars, last push 2026-10-15. Skip it if: You were counting on the free Qwen OAuth tier, which the docs say was discontinued on 2026-04-15; you now need an API key, an Alibaba Cloud plan or a local model. Its docs say optional usage statistics can be collected, so check the setting. Install with npm (Node.js 22+): ```sh npm install -g @qwen-code/qwen-code@latest ``` Install source: https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code#installation. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/qwen-code.md ## You live in an editor ### Kilo Code Writes and edits code from natural language in VS Code, JetBrains or the terminal, using a model you pick Pick it if your team is split across VS Code and JetBrains and wants to choose the model per task. License: MIT. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 27,607 stars, last push 2026-10-15. Skip it if: The README's VS Code setup has you create a Kilo account to reach its model catalog, so skip it if you want no vendor account in the loop. If you already run OpenCode, the Kilo CLI adds little since it is a fork of it. Install the CLI with npm: ```sh npm install -g @kilocode/cli ``` Install source: https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode#installation. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/kilo-code.md ### Cline Runs an approval-based coding agent in VS Code, JetBrains, the terminal or a desktop app with any model Pick it if you want an open-source agent in VS Code or JetBrains that shows each edit as a diff and asks first. License: Apache-2.0; the JetBrains plugin is not open source. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 70,339 stars, last push 2026-10-15. Skip it if: You need every client to be open source (the JetBrains plugin is not), or you want an agent that runs without per-step approvals by default. Install the CLI with npm: ```sh npm i -g cline ``` Install source: https://github.com/cline/cline#readme. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/cline.md ### Cursor Gives you a code editor and CLI with a built-in agent that plans, edits and reviews changes across your repo Pick it if you want an editor with the agent built in, plus a CLI and cloud agents on the same subscription. License: Proprietary. Pricing: Free tier + paid. No public repository. Skip it if: You want Claude, GPT or Gemini models on a low tier: third-party models need Premium or higher and are billed at API list price from prepaid credit, and the Free plan has limited usage. Download from cursor.com/downloads. Install source: https://cursor.com/docs/get-started/quickstart. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/cursor.md ### GitHub Copilot Suggests code, answers questions and works on assigned tasks across your IDE, terminal and GitHub Pick it if your code, issues and pull requests are on GitHub and agent work should come back there as pull requests. License: Proprietary. Pricing: Free tier + paid. No public repository. Skip it if: Your code is not on GitHub; the CLI also requires an active Copilot subscription, and premium features and larger AI credit allowances need a paid plan. Install Copilot CLI with npm: ```sh npm install -g @github/copilot ``` Install source: https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/copilot-cli/set-up-copilot-cli/install-copilot-cli. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/github-copilot.md ## Agents that run on your own server ### Hermes Agent Runs a self-hosted agent you reach from the terminal or chat apps, with memory and skills it writes itself Pick it if you want one self-hosted agent with memory and scheduled jobs that you reach from the terminal or a chat app. License: MIT. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 253,859 stars, last push 2026-10-15. Skip it if: You want a coding agent inside your IDE, or you prefer not to run a curl-to-bash installer. Approval prompts for dangerous commands can be turned off entirely, so set the approval mode with care. Install script (Linux, macOS, WSL2): ```sh curl -fsSL https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.sh | bash ``` Install source: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent#readme. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/hermes-agent.md ### OpenHands Runs OpenHands, Claude Code, Codex and other ACP agents from a self-hosted control center Pick it if agents should keep working on a server or in Docker when your laptop is closed. It can also drive Claude Code itself. License: MIT. Pricing: Open source. GitHub: 90,928 stars, last push 2026-10-15. Skip it if: You just want one agent in your terminal or editor; the npm install runs the agent server directly on your machine with full filesystem access unless you use the Docker option, and it needs Node.js 24 and uv. Install Agent Canvas with npm: ```sh npm install -g @openhands/agent-canvas agent-canvas ``` Install source: https://github.com/OpenHands/OpenHands#readme. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/openhands.md ## Claude Code's loop inside your own app ### Claude Agent SDK Embeds Claude Code's agent loop, built-in tools and context management in Python or TypeScript apps Pick it if Claude Code's tools are right but you need them inside a process you operate. It still runs Claude models only. License: Python repo MIT; use governed by Anthropic Commercial Terms of Service. Pricing: Paid. GitHub: 8,283 stars, last push 2026-10-14. Skip it if: You want to use non-Claude models. It needs an Anthropic API key or Claude through Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud or Microsoft Foundry, and third-party products may not offer claude.ai login unless approved by Anthropic. Install with pip: ```sh pip install claude-agent-sdk ``` Install source: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-agent-sdk-python#readme. Entry: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/claude-agent-sdk.md ## Newer options worth a look New and rising tools from the catalog that this guide does not compare yet, by new and rising score. Younger and less proven than the picks above. - [Orca](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/orca.md): Runs several CLI coding agents side by side, each in its own git worktree, in one desktop app. Skip it if: You prefer a terminal-only setup or use one agent at a time. It collects anonymous usage data unless you opt out, its Computer Use feature lets agents operate desktop apps, and it ships releases almost daily with a large open issue and pull request backlog. - [herdr](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/herdr.md): Keeps coding agent terminals running in a background server and marks each pane as working, blocked or idle. Skip it if: You already have a tmux setup you like and run one agent at a time. Agents can use herdr's socket API to spawn panes and prompt other agents, and after a server or machine restart the original processes are gone, only the layout and supported sessions come back. - [nono](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/nono.md): Runs coding agents in a least-privilege sandbox with per-tool filesystem, network and credential rules. Skip it if: You want VM or container isolation; the README says nono runs with no daemon, container or VM. APIs may still change before 1.0, and Windows is supported through WSL2. It runs agent commands and brokers credentials, so review a profile's grants before pulling it from the registry. - [Crush](https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/crush.md): Runs a terminal coding agent from Charm that works with your choice of LLM and uses LSPs for context. Skip it if: You need an OSI open-source license: Crush uses FSL-1.1-MIT, which bars competing commercial use until a version converts to MIT after two years. ## How we chose Picked from the 95 tools in our catalog, each verified against its own repository and docs; 13 made this guide. Within each group, new and rising tools come first, sorted by the new and rising score (star velocity, recent pushes and releases, repo age and an editorial weight), then the standards, the well-known tools, by name. It is not a benchmark. The number beside a tool is its rank in the full new and rising ledger, not within this guide; standards are not ranked. Install commands are copied from each project's docs; every tool page links to the page they came from. GitHub signals (stars, last push, latest release) were fetched on 2026-10-15. Picked from the coding agents and frameworks in our catalog. Claude Code's constraints come from its own entry: proprietary, and most surfaces need a Claude subscription or Anthropic Console account. Several tools fit more than one constraint; each is listed once.