Claude Code alternatives

Short answer: the main Claude Code alternatives are OpenAI's Codex, Cursor, OpenCode, Google's Gemini CLI (or Antigravity CLI) and GitHub Copilot. Pick Codex if you want OpenAI models and cloud tasks, Cursor if you live in an editor, OpenCode if you want open source and any model. On a team you don't have to pick one: Coagy runs Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI and Cursor side by side, each developer on their own subscription.

Why people look for a Claude Code alternative

Claude Code is the most used coding agent right now. In the Stack Overflow 2026 Developer Survey, 66% of agent users named it, ahead of GitHub Copilot at 59%. People still look elsewhere, usually for one of these reasons:

• Claude models only. Claude Code runs Opus, Sonnet and Haiku (docs). If you want GPT, Gemini or Grok, you need another tool.
• Not open source. The repository's license reads "All rights reserved".
• Token use. One reviewer's benchmark found Claude Code used 6.2M tokens for a build where Codex used 1.5M (Morph). The same review rated it strong at large multi-file changes.
• Price. Pro is $20 a month, Max $100 and Ultra $200 (Claude pricing).

The alternatives, side by side

Tool	Open source	Models	Paid plans start at	Suits
Claude Code	No	Claude only	Pro, $20/mo	Big multi-file changes, autonomous work
Codex	CLI yes (Apache-2.0)	OpenAI, or your API key	Go, $8/mo	Background and cloud batch work
Cursor	No	Grok and Composer; Claude, GPT, Gemini at API price	Plus, $8/mo (Grok only)	Daily work inside an editor
OpenCode	Yes (MIT)	Any provider	Free with your own keys	Open source, any model
Gemini CLI	Yes (Apache-2.0)	Gemini	Code Assist license or paid API key	Teams on Google Cloud

Codex (OpenAI)

Codex is the closest like-for-like swap. The CLI is open source, and it also runs as an IDE extension, as a mode in the ChatGPT desktop app and in Codex Cloud on the web. It comes with ChatGPT: Free for quick tasks, Go $8, Plus $20, Pro $100 to $500 a month, Business $25 per user (pricing). An API key works in the CLI and IDE but not the cloud. Good fit if you want tasks running in the background while you do something else.

Cursor

Cursor is an editor first, with a CLI and cloud agents. Since October 2026 its plans are built around Grok: Plus $8 (Grok only, no cloud agents), Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200, Teams from $30 per user. Claude, GPT and Gemini are billed at API list price on top. Pick it if you want visual diffs and to stay in an editor all day. See Claude Code vs Cursor.

OpenCode

OpenCode is MIT-licensed, has about 226k GitHub stars and works with any model provider. It's free with your own keys, with optional Go plans from $10 a month. One catch: you can't sign in with a Claude subscription, because Anthropic blocks third-party tools from using Pro and Max logins (The Register). Claude works through an API key. ChatGPT sign-in and GitHub Copilot login work.

Gemini CLI and Antigravity CLI

Gemini CLI is open source, but since June 18, 2026 it no longer serves free users or Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers (Google). Those users move to Antigravity CLI, which is closed source. Gemini CLI still works with Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise licenses, or a paid Gemini API or Vertex key.

GitHub Copilot

Copilot has an agent mode in VS Code and a cloud agent that works from GitHub issues. It's the second most used agent in the Stack Overflow survey, and an easy pick if your company already pays for GitHub.

On a team, you don't have to choose

Most reviewers end up recommending a mix rather than one winner. That's also what happens on real teams: one developer likes Claude Code, another lives in Cursor, a third uses Codex because the company has ChatGPT Business.

Coagy lets that be fine. Each developer keeps their own agent and their own subscription. A small connector mirrors their sessions into one team workspace, where teammates can watch agents live, ask them questions and hand work over. Every task gets its own git worktree, so agents don't collide. It's free for up to 4 developers. If you work alone and just want several agents in one window, Coagy Local is free and needs no account.

More: how teams run Claude Code, Codex and Cursor together and Codex vs Claude Code.

Questions

What is the best Claude Code alternative?

It depends on what you want. Codex is the closest swap if you want OpenAI models and cloud tasks. Cursor suits people who work inside an editor. OpenCode is open source and works with any model provider. Gemini CLI suits teams with Google Cloud licenses.

Is there an open source alternative to Claude Code?

Yes. OpenCode is MIT licensed and works with any model provider. The Codex CLI and Gemini CLI are both open source under Apache-2.0. Claude Code itself is not open source.

Can I use my Claude subscription in OpenCode or other tools?

No. Anthropic blocks third-party tools from using Claude Pro and Max subscription logins. In OpenCode you can use Claude through an API key instead. Claude Code itself works with the subscription.

Can a team use Claude Code and Codex at the same time?

Yes. Coagy runs Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI and Cursor side by side in one team workspace, with each developer on their own subscription and each task in its own git worktree. It is free for up to 4 developers.