Claude Code vs OpenCode in 2026
Claude Code vs OpenCode is a paid agent from a model maker against a free, open source agent that works with any model. Claude Code runs in your terminal, IDE, desktop app and browser, and comes with Claude plans from Pro at $20 a month. OpenCode is MIT licensed, free to use, and connects to 75+ model providers, including local models, from a terminal UI, a desktop app or an IDE extension.
Facts and prices checked on against the sources listed below.
Quick verdict
Claude Code
Pick Claude Code if you want the agent built by the team behind the model, one subscription with no API keys, and features like hooks, skills and subagents.
OpenCode
PriceFree, open source
Pick OpenCode if you want an open source agent, freedom to switch providers or run local models, or you already pay for API access elsewhere.
Claude Code vs OpenCode at a glance
| Feature | Claude Code | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Anthropic's agentic coding tool | An open source AI coding agent |
| Where it runs | Terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, desktop app, web and mobile | Terminal UI, desktop app, IDE extension |
| Free tier | Not in Claude's free plan | Free to use; you bring a model, and some free models are offered |
| Price | Pro $20 a month ($17 billed yearly), Max $100, Ultra $200 | Free; optional Go plans from $10 a month |
| Models | Claude models | 75+ providers through Models.dev, including local models |
| Licence | No licence on the GitHub repo; a closed product | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 154.1k (anthropics/claude-code) | 223.8k (anomalyco/opencode) |
| How you pay | Claude subscription, Anthropic Console credits, or a third party provider | Your own provider API keys, OpenCode Go, or OpenCode Console credits |
Pricing (checked Nov 2026)
Claude Code is not in Claude's free plan. It comes with Pro at $20 a month, or $17 a month billed yearly ($200 up front), Max at $100 a month with 5 times Pro usage, and Ultra at $200 a month with 10 times Pro usage. Team and Enterprise plans include it too. You can also sign in with an Anthropic Console account and pay per token, or use the CLI through a third party cloud provider.
OpenCode says it is 100% free to use. You connect your own model provider and pay that provider, or use one of the free models offered through OpenCode Console, its pay as you go credits (a fee of 4.6% plus $0.31 applies per purchase). OpenCode Go is an optional subscription at $10 a month, Go Plus at $40 and Go Teams at $20 per member a month, each with a monthly dollar cap per model.
Open source or closed
OpenCode is MIT licensed. Its repository, anomalyco/opencode (the old sst/opencode address redirects there), had 223.8k stars on GitHub when we checked, and its latest release was v1.19.5 on 28 October 2026. The home page installer now offers a second major version while the docs still cover version 1, so check which one you install.
Claude Code's repository, anthropics/claude-code, had 154.1k stars, but GitHub detects no licence on it: it is a closed product you use under Anthropic's terms.
Models
Claude Code runs Claude models. OpenCode connects to 75+ providers through Models.dev, including local models, so you can run Claude, GPT, Gemini or open weight models on your own machine, and switch between them.
Where each one runs
Claude Code runs in the terminal, in VS Code and JetBrains, in a desktop app (which needs a paid plan) and in the browser and mobile apps. OpenCode has a terminal UI, a desktop app and an IDE extension. You install it with a script, npm, Homebrew, Scoop, Chocolatey, mise or Docker, and on Windows the docs suggest WSL.
Open source alternatives to Claude Code
OpenCode is the closest open source match for a terminal agent. Others worth a look, all Apache-2.0 on GitHub: OpenAI's Codex CLI, Cline for VS Code, Continue, Aider and Gemini CLI. Each one works with your own API keys, so your cost is the model, not the tool.
When to pick Claude Code
- You want one subscription and no API keys to manage.
- You want Anthropic's own agent features, from hooks to subagents.
- You use Claude models anyway.
When to pick OpenCode
- You want an open source agent you can read and change.
- You want to switch providers or run local models.
- You already pay for API access somewhere else.
See also Claude Code vs Cursor and Claude API pricing.
FAQ
Is OpenCode a good open source alternative to Claude Code?
Yes, it is the closest one. OpenCode is an MIT licensed coding agent with a terminal UI, a desktop app and an IDE extension, and it works with Claude models too if you add an Anthropic API key. You give up Claude Code's subscription billing and some of its built in features, and you gain the choice of model.
Is OpenCode free?
OpenCode says it is 100% free to use. You pay for the model you connect, unless you pick one of its free models. Optional Go plans cost $10 a month, $40 for Go Plus, or $20 per member for Go Teams, each with a monthly cap per model.
Is Claude Code free?
No. Claude's pricing page shows Claude Code is not in the free plan. It comes with Pro at $20 a month ($17 a month billed yearly), Max at $100 and Ultra at $200 a month, or you can pay per token through an Anthropic Console account.
Can OpenCode use Claude models?
Yes. OpenCode connects to providers through Models.dev, and Anthropic is one of them, so you can run Claude models in OpenCode with an API key and pay per token.
Upcoming and beta tools in this space
Not launched yet, listed on TeaserTrack. Early access, waitlists and launch dates are on each tool page.
Sources, checked November 1, 2026
Prices and plans change often. If something here is out of date, tell us through the contact page.