We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
It's a split decision.
Aider is a free, open-source terminal pair programmer that connects to cloud or local models, maps codebases, and uses Git to review or undo changes. Choose it if you want to bring your own model credentials or run local models. OpenCode is also open source, with free models and clients for desktop, terminal, and iPhone, plus an SDK. Choose it if you want a wider provider selection, parallel sessions, or a paid plan with published request estimates.
01Side by side
| Aider | OpenCode | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free software; bring API keys or use local models | Free models; Go $10/month, Go Plus $40/month |
| Free tier | Free; use your own model credentials or local models | Free models available without an account |
| Self-hosting | Yes; runs from your terminal | Yes; works on your machine |
| API and SDKs | Connects to cloud and local LLMs | SDK; connects to 200+ model providers |
| CLI and docs | Terminal client with installation and usage guides | Terminal UI with install options and docs |
| Integrations | LLMs, Git tools, editors, and web chat | Model providers, MCP servers, and listed services |
| Deployment model | Terminal or editor; can use web chat | Desktop, terminal, phone, or SDK |
| Platforms | Terminal, IDE/editor, and web chat | macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone; Android coming soon |
Aider Choose Aider if
- Choose Aider if you want a free terminal pair programmer.
- Choose Aider if you bring model API keys or run local models.
- Choose Aider if Git commits, linting, and testing fit your workflow.
OpenCode Choose OpenCode if
- Choose OpenCode if you want free models without an account.
- Choose OpenCode if you need an SDK or desktop client.
- Choose OpenCode if parallel sessions and MCP servers matter.
02Pricing at real usage
Aider is free and has no subscription tiers or published monthly or annual billing. You bring your own LLM API keys or use local models. That means model-provider charges, if any, sit outside Aider; the amount depends on your provider and usage. Aider does not publish seat or usage limits.
OpenCode offers free models without an account, alongside paid subscriptions. The pricing page lists Go at $10 per month and Go Plus at $40 per month, with no annual billing. Go lists estimated five-hour request counts of 110 for Kimi K3 and 1,050 for DeepSeek V4 Pro. Go Plus lists 440 and 4,200, respectively. Extra Usage credit top-ups are available, but their price is not published. Those estimates are not a fixed cost-per-request guarantee.
03API, SDKs and integration
Aider is a terminal client that connects to cloud or local LLMs; its getting-started examples show model selection and API-key arguments. It also works from an IDE or editor, including through code comments, and can use an LLM through a web chat interface. The homepage lists support for 100+ code languages, including Python, JavaScript, Rust, Ruby, and Go. Its docs include installation, usage, configuration, troubleshooting, and FAQ guides.
OpenCode connects to 200+ model providers and supports local models. Its SDK is intended for driving OpenCode from scripts, CI jobs, and tools. You can use the product through a desktop app, terminal UI, or phone, and extend agents with plugins, MCP servers, and custom agents. The homepage lists integrations including GitHub, Linear, Figma, Sentry, Notion, Slack, Supabase, and Stripe. Its terminal installation options include curl, npm, Bun, Homebrew, and paru.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Aider is open source under Apache 2.0. OpenCode describes itself as open source, but its homepage does not name a licence. Both are listed as self-hostable and can work with local models, so neither requires you to use only a vendor-hosted model. OpenCode also connects to 200+ providers; Aider connects to cloud models and local models.
Aider automatically commits changes and supports Git tools for diffing, managing, and undoing them. OpenCode offers permissions and rollback for recent changes. Those workflows keep code changes reviewable through familiar project tools, but the vendors do not publish a dedicated conversation-export format. Before adopting either across a team, check how session history and settings can be retained or moved; Git history alone does not preserve that context.
Questions people ask
Can Aider and OpenCode use local models?
Yes. Aider says it connects to local models as well as cloud LLMs. OpenCode also supports local models and lets users bring providers from its listed range of 200+. With either tool, check the model's own hardware and runtime requirements; the product facts do not specify those requirements.
Which is better for working in an existing codebase?
Aider is designed to pair with developers on new or existing codebases and makes a codebase map to help with larger projects. OpenCode works on your machine and offers parallel sessions. Choose based on whether you prefer Aider's map-and-Git workflow or OpenCode's multi-session setup.
Does OpenCode have a free plan?
OpenCode says free models are available without an account. Its paid plans are Go at $10 per month and Go Plus at $40 per month. The pricing page lists estimated request counts for those plans, while Extra Usage credit top-up prices are not published.
Which tool is cheaper?
Aider itself is free, but you bring your own model API keys or use local models, so provider costs can apply. OpenCode has free models and paid plans at $10 or $40 per month. The cheaper option depends on your model, usage, and whether you need a subscription's included access.