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Gemini CLI vs Claude Code
Two terminal coding agents. Gemini CLI is Google's, open source under Apache-2.0, and since June 2026 it's for Code Assist licenses and paid keys only. Claude Code is Anthropic's, and it also runs in your IDE, a desktop app and the browser.
Side by Side
| Google Gemini CLI | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| What It Is | Google's open-source (Apache-2.0) coding agent for the terminal: it reads and edits your codebase, runs shell commands, connects MCP servers and runs headless with gemini -p for scripts. Now built for Gemini Code Assist Standard and Enterprise teams and paid Gemini API or Vertex AI keys; free and Google AI Pro/Ultra users moved to Antigravity CLI. | Anthropic's agentic coding tool that runs in the terminal and works across your codebase. |
| Category | AI Editors & Agents | AI Editors & Agents |
| Where It Runs | Terminal on macOS, Windows and Linux. VS Code companion extension, plus JetBrains and Zed through ACP. Preinstalled in Google Cloud Shell. | Terminal on macOS, Linux and Windows, plus VS Code, JetBrains, a desktop app, the web, Slack and mobile. |
| Sign-In and Models | Sign in with Google on a Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise license, or use a paid Gemini API or Vertex AI key. Open source under Apache-2.0. | A Claude subscription or Anthropic Console account. The CLI, VS Code and JetBrains also support third-party providers. |
| Scripting and CI | gemini -p runs headless, with JSON or streaming JSON output for scripts. | Run Claude in your own CI, plus Code Review on pull requests. |
| Free Option | None anymore. Free and Google AI Pro/Ultra access moved to Google's Antigravity CLI on June 18, 2026. | Not on the free Claude plan. Use a paid plan or API credits. |
| Tags | ||
| Pricing | Comes with Gemini Code Assist: Standard $19 per user a month on a 12-month term, $22.80 monthly, with 1,500 CLI and agent requests a day. Enterprise is $45 on a 12-month term, $54 monthly, with 2,000. Or a paid API key at API rates. | Included with Claude Pro: $17/mo billed annually, $20 monthly. Max from $100/mo for 5x or 20x Pro usage. Team standard seats $20/mo billed annually, $25 monthly. |
| Website | geminicli.com | anthropic.com |
| On Digidle |
Pricing and plan details checked October 29, 2026 on each vendor's official pages: Gemini CLI on GitHub, Gemini CLI quotas, Gemini CLI to Antigravity CLI, Code Assist pricing, Code Assist quotas, Claude pricing, Claude Code docs. Plans change, so confirm before you buy.
Which One to Pick
Pick Gemini CLI If
Your company already licenses Gemini Code Assist on Google Cloud, or you want Gemini on a paid key in an agent you can read and fork.
More on Gemini CLIPick Claude Code If
You pay for Claude, want Anthropic's models, and want one agent across terminal, IDE, desktop and browser.
More on Claude CodeBuilt a tool in AI Editors & Agents? Get it featured at the top of its category for 30 days.
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