Claude Code vs OpenCode
Anthropic's proprietary terminal agent versus the open-source, provider-agnostic terminal agent.
Updated August 28, 2026 · Independent comparison — Claude Code, OpenCode are separate products.
Claude Code
Anthropic's terminal-first coding agent
Claude Code is Anthropic's terminal-first agentic coding tool for reading, editing, testing, and navigating codebases from the command line. It pairs plan mode, slash commands, subagents, hooks, skills, and MCP with official VS Code and JetBrains extensions and Claude Code on the web and mobile. It is proprietary — the repo is public but not OSI-licensed — and runs on Claude Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku 4.x; bring-your-own-key is partial (an Anthropic-compatible ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL, not a generic provider picker). Billing is through Anthropic API usage or an eligible Claude Pro or Max subscription, whose 5-hour and weekly usage pools are shared with claude.ai chat.
OpenCode
Open-source terminal-first coding agent
OpenCode is an open-source (MIT), terminal-first AI coding agent centered on a fast, keyboard-driven TUI, with editor extensions for VS Code, Cursor, and Zed. It is provider-agnostic and connects to 75+ model providers via Models.dev with bring-your-own-key billing, plus first-party gateways — GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT logins, the OpenCode Zen pay-as-you-go catalog, and a flat-rate OpenCode Go subscription ($5 the first month, then $10/month) for curated open coding models. It offers Plan and Build modes (toggle with Tab), built-in LSP, MCP, custom subagents, and shareable sessions. Because it is open source, teams can audit and extend the harness itself.
Bottom line
Anthropic's proprietary terminal agent versus the open-source, provider-agnostic terminal agent. Choose Claude Code if you want Claude models as your primary brain with first-party polish; choose OpenCode if you want an open-source, terminal-first agent you can audit and extend.
Pricing & Plans
| Feature | Claude Code | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| Client license | Proprietary (public Agent SDK) | Open source (MIT) |
| Entry paid plan | Claude Pro $20/month | Free (BYOK) |
| Managed model subscription | ✗ | OpenCode Go $10/month (open models) |
| API / usage billing | Anthropic API pay-as-you-go | Any of 75+ providers (BYOK) |
| Account required | ✓ | Only for Go / Zen |
Models & Providers
| Feature | Claude Code | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| Model roster | Claude Opus / Sonnet / Haiku 4.x | Any model across 75+ providers |
| Multi-vendor models | Partial (Anthropic-compatible base URL) | ✓ |
| Provider count | Anthropic (or compatible base URL) | 75+ via Models.dev |
| First-party gateways | ✗ | Copilot/ChatGPT login, Zen, Go |
| In-session model switching | ✓ | ✓ |
Agent Experience
| Feature | Claude Code | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| Primary interface | Terminal CLI | Terminal TUI |
| Plan before editing | Plan mode | Plan / Build modes (Tab) |
| Subagents / parallel work | Subagents + cloud tasks | Custom agents / subagents |
| MCP support | ✓ | ✓ |
| LSP diagnostics | Via tools | Built-in LSP |
| Session sharing | ✗ | /share link |
Developer Workflow
| Feature | Claude Code | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| IDE integrations | VS Code + JetBrains | VS Code, Cursor, Zed |
| Headless / scriptable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom behavior | Subagents, hooks, skills | Custom commands, agents, config |
| Project instructions | CLAUDE.md + skills | AGENTS.md |
| Web / mobile continuation | claude.ai/code + mobile | ✗ |
Platforms & Openness
| Feature | Claude Code | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| Local OS support | macOS, Linux, Windows | macOS, Linux, Windows (WSL) |
| Source availability | Proprietary (public Agent SDK) | Open source |
| Standout feature | Skills, subagents, web + mobile | 75+ providers + keyboard TUI |
| Vendor ecosystem | Anthropic / Claude | Provider-agnostic |
| Open-model subscription | ✗ | OpenCode Go |
The Verdict
Choose Claude Code if...
- ✓You want Claude models as your primary brain with first-party polish.
- ✓You already pay for Claude Pro or Max, or bill through the Anthropic API.
- ✓You rely on subagents, hooks, skills, plan mode, and slash commands.
- ✓You value web and mobile continuation of terminal sessions.
- ✓You prefer a managed product over an open-source harness.
Choose OpenCode if...
- ✓You want an open-source, terminal-first agent you can audit and extend.
- ✓You want to reach 75+ providers and switch models mid-task with your own keys.
- ✓You prefer a fast keyboard-driven TUI with Plan/Build modes and built-in LSP.
- ✓You want OpenCode Go flat-rate access to curated open coding models.
- ✓You edit across VS Code, Cursor, or Zed and want one shared agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Claude Code and OpenCode?
Claude Code is Anthropic's terminal-first agentic coding tool for reading, editing, testing, and navigating codebases from the command line. OpenCode is an open-source (MIT), terminal-first AI coding agent centered on a fast, keyboard-driven TUI, with editor extensions for VS Code, Cursor, and Zed.
How much do Claude Code and OpenCode cost?
Claude Code: Claude Pro $20/month. OpenCode: Free (BYOK). See the pricing table above for full plan details.
Should I choose Claude Code or OpenCode?
Choose Claude Code if you want Claude models as your primary brain with first-party polish. Choose OpenCode if you want an open-source, terminal-first agent you can audit and extend.
1DevToolRun both — and more
Torn between Claude Code and OpenCode? 1DevTool is a multi-agent workspace that runs Claude Code, OpenCode, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and Cline side by side in persistent terminals — bring your own keys or subscriptions, no lock-in. It adds a built-in HTTP client, 13-engine database client, and embedded browser, all wired into Send-to-AI. One-time $29, no subscription.