Terminal Agents
Claude Code (Anthropic)
- Models: Claude Opus, Sonnet, Haiku
- Strengths: Deep codebase understanding, MCP ecosystem, agentic workflows, extended thinking
- Pricing: Usage-based via Anthropic API or Max plan ($100-200/mo)
- Best for: Complex refactoring, multi-file edits, production coding
- Unique: MCP server integration, hooks system, sub-agent spawning
Codex CLI (OpenAI)
- Models: o4-mini, o3, GPT-4o
- Strengths: Sandbox execution, three approval modes, official OpenAI product
- Pricing: Usage-based via OpenAI API
- Best for: OpenAI ecosystem users, sandboxed code execution
- Unique: Built-in sandbox, auto/suggest/auto-edit modes
Gemini CLI (Google)
- Models: Gemini 2.5 Pro, Flash
- Strengths: 1M token context window, free tier, Google ecosystem
- Pricing: Free tier (60 req/min), paid via Google AI
- Best for: Large codebase analysis, Google Cloud users
- Unique: Largest context window, free tier generous
Aider
- Models: Any (Claude, GPT-4, Ollama, etc.)
- Strengths: Multi-model, git-aware, pair programming style
- Pricing: Free (open-source), bring your own API key
- Best for: Developers who want model flexibility and git integration
- Unique: Architect + editor mode, auto-commits, voice coding
IDE Agents
Cursor
- Models: Claude, GPT-4, custom fine-tuned
- Strengths: VS Code fork with native AI, tab completion, inline chat
- Pricing: Free tier, Pro $20/mo, Business $40/mo
- Best for: VS Code users who want seamless AI integration
- Unique: .cursorrules for project config, Composer for multi-file edits
Continue
- Models: Any (20+ providers)
- Strengths: Open-source, any model, VS Code + JetBrains
- Pricing: Free (open-source)
- Best for: Developers who want full control and no vendor lock-in
- Unique: Context providers (@codebase, @docs, @terminal)
Windsurf (Codeium)
- Models: Cascade (proprietary) + Claude, GPT-4
- Strengths: Flows (multi-step agent), fast autocomplete
- Pricing: Free tier, Pro $15/mo
- Best for: Budget-conscious teams wanting AI IDE
- Unique: Cascade Flows for agentic multi-step tasks
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Claude Code | Codex CLI | Cursor | Continue | Aider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| IDE | VS Code ext | No | VS Code fork | VS Code + JetBrains | No |
| MCP support | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Multi-model | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Git integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Voice coding | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Sub-agents | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Pricing Summary (April 2026)
| Agent | Free Tier | Pro/Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | 5 uses/day (free plan) | $20-200/mo (API usage) |
| Codex CLI | None (API only) | Usage-based |
| Gemini CLI | 60 req/min | Usage-based |
| Cursor | 2K completions/mo | $20/mo Pro |
| Continue | Unlimited | Free forever |
| Aider | Unlimited | Free (bring API key) |
| Windsurf | Limited | $15/mo Pro |
FAQ
Q: Which AI coding agent should I start with? A: If you are a terminal user, start with Claude Code (best agentic capabilities) or Codex CLI (if you prefer OpenAI). For IDE users, Cursor is the most polished experience.
Q: Can I use multiple agents? A: Yes, many developers use a terminal agent (Claude Code) for complex tasks and an IDE agent (Cursor/Continue) for quick edits and autocomplete.
Q: Which agent is best for large codebases? A: Claude Code (MCP + deep context) and Gemini CLI (1M token window) handle large codebases best.