<!-- Canonical: https://www.agentlist.io/compare/gemini-cli-vs-claude-code -->

# [Gemini CLIGoogle · cli-agent](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/gemini-cli)vs[Claude CodeAnthropic · cli-agent](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/claude-code)

Google's open-source terminal agent vs Anthropic's. Gemini CLI's free consumer path ended in June 2026 — API key or Code Assist seats are the remaining routes.

agentlist.io · spec diff · verified 2026-09-25 — list prices only, not benchmarks

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## Spec diff

Gemini CLIClaude Code

vendorGoogleAnthropic

categorycli-agentcli-agent

interfacesclicli · editor · api

hostinglocallocal

pricingConsumer/free tiers ended Jun 18, 2026; API key or Code Assist Standard/Enterprise onlyIncluded in Claude Pro $20/mo and Max ($100/$200); API pay-per-token

statusactive — cautionactively maintained

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## Pick which

pick Gemini CLI if

You want OSS + Gemini models, or you're already buying Gemini Code Assist seats.

pick Claude Code if

You want the Claude model + subscription bundle, or the larger MCP/skills ecosystem.

watch out

Gemini CLI's pricing page still says 'free' in places — the consumer tier was retired June 18, 2026.

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## Feature notes

-   Gemini CLI
-   01Open source
-   02Gemini models
-   03MCP
-   04Google Search grounding

-   Claude Code
-   01Repo-wide reasoning
-   02Shell tools
-   03MCP
-   04Hooks and skills
-   05IDE extensions
-   06Fast mode (preview)

FAQ

## Frequently asked

### Gemini CLI or Claude Code — which should I pick?

Google's open-source terminal agent vs Anthropic's. Gemini CLI's free consumer path ended in June 2026 — API key or Code Assist seats are the remaining routes. Pick Gemini CLI if: You want OSS + Gemini models, or you're already buying Gemini Code Assist seats. Pick Claude Code if: You want the Claude model + subscription bundle, or the larger MCP/skills ecosystem.

### Is Gemini CLI or Claude Code cheaper?

Gemini CLI: Consumer/free tiers ended Jun 18, 2026; API key or Code Assist Standard/Enterprise only. Claude Code: Included in Claude Pro $20/mo and Max ($100/$200); API pay-per-token. List prices as of 2026-09-25; usage pools and seat terms change the real cost.

### Does Gemini CLI or Claude Code run locally?

Gemini CLI hosting: local. Claude Code hosting: local. Interfaces differ too: Gemini CLI exposes cli, Claude Code exposes cli/editor/api.

### Are Gemini CLI and Claude Code still maintained?

Gemini CLI: active — caution. Claude Code: actively maintained. Statuses are re-verified each catalog refresh (2026-09-25); see the changelog for the full history.

ALT

## More comparisons

-   [→Claude Code vs Codex CLI](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/claude-code-vs-codex-cli)
-   [→Claude Code vs Cursor](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/claude-code-vs-cursor)
-   [→Aider vs Claude Code](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/aider-vs-claude-code)
-   [→Warp vs Claude Code](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/warp-vs-claude-code)
-   [→Cursor vs Windsurf / Devin Desktop](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/cursor-vs-windsurf)
-   [→GitHub Copilot vs Cursor](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/copilot-vs-cursor)

A

## Gemini CLI

Gemini CLI is Google's open-source terminal agent; on June 18, 2026 it stopped serving free and Google AI Pro/Ultra accounts in favor of the Antigravity CLI.

[full spec sheet →](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/gemini-cli)

-   [↗ github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli](https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli)
-   [↗ github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/discussions/28017](https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/discussions/28017)

B

## Claude Code

Claude Code is Anthropic's terminal-native coding agent: it plans, edits, runs commands, uses Git and MCP, and sustains long agentic loops.

[full spec sheet →](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/claude-code)

-   [↗ claude.com/product/claude-code](https://claude.com/product/claude-code)
-   [↗ claude.com/pricing](https://claude.com/pricing)

SRC

## Data

Fields come from the seed catalog, re-verified 2026-09-25. This page compares recorded specs — it does not rank performance. See the [changelog](https://www.agentlist.io/changelog) or the [JSON feed](https://www.agentlist.io/api/v1/systems).

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Source: [Gemini CLI vs Claude Code: spec comparison | agentlist.io](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/gemini-cli-vs-claude-code). This is the public page rendered as Markdown; interactive controls require the website.