OpenCode

OpenCode is a free, open-source AI coding agent. Like Claude Code, you point it at a project folder and it reads, writes and runs code for you. It runs in the terminal, as a desktop app or inside your editor, and it works with more than 75 AI providers, including models running on your own computer. It's made by Anomaly, the team behind SST, and it is one of the most popular coding tools on GitHub.

Choose it over Claude Code if you want to pick your own model or keep costs down. It comes with a rotating set of free models, and the $10 a month Go plan covers cheaper coding models like DeepSeek, Kimi and GLM. You can't use a Claude Pro or Max subscription in it any more, since Anthropic blocked that in early 2026, so Claude models need a paid API key.

The catch is trust and polish. On 17 October 2026 OpenCode disclosed a breach of its hosted Console that exposed some users' saved API keys, a week after version 2.0 shipped a change that stopped asking permission before editing files. Keep your keys local, set spending caps and review what it changes.

• Developers
• Open-source fans
• Students
• Budget-conscious founders

Developers and tinkerers who want a capable coding agent without a big subscription, or who want to choose their own models.

• Any model

  Connect more than 75 providers, a GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT subscription, or models running on your own computer.

• Free models included

  A rotating set of free models, capped at around 200 requests a day, so you can start without paying anyone.

• Terminal, desktop and editor

  Use the terminal app, the desktop app or the extension for VS Code and similar editors, all sharing one background service.

• Background agents

  Run several agents and subagents at once on the same project, each with the model you choose.

• Go and Zen model plans

  Go is a flat $10 subscription for tested coding models. Zen is pay as you go at cost, with spending limits.

• Plugins and SDK

  Extend it with plugins, connect MCP servers or build your own tools on its API.

• OpenCode

  Free

  Anyone with their own model access, or happy with the free models.

  • The full agent, open source under MIT
  • Free models with a daily request cap
  • Bring your own API keys or local models

• Zen

  Pay as you go, from a $20 top-up

  People who want top models without a subscription.

  • Hand-picked models tested for coding
  • Charged at provider cost with no markup
  • Monthly spending limits
• Our pick

  Go

  $10/mo

  Most people who want to code daily on a budget.

  • Generous limits on cheaper coding models
  • Limits reset every 5 hours, weekly and monthly
  • Works with other agents too

• Go Plus

  $40/mo

  Heavy users who hit the Go limits.

  • Everything in Go
  • Higher limits and fewer interruptions

• Enterprise

  Custom

  Companies rolling it out to a team.

  • Central configuration and model access
  • Support and deployment help

Prices in USD unless noted, checked 21 October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on their site before you buy.

Ways OpenCode can slot into your week.

1. 1

   Build a small tool for next to nothing

   Use the free models or Go to build an internal tool or a simple website without paying for a big subscription.

2. 2

   Mix cheap and expensive models

   Let a cheap model do routine edits and switch to a frontier model only for the tricky parts, so costs stay low.

3. 3

   Keep code on your own machine

   Connect a local model so nothing leaves your computer, handy for sensitive client work.

4. 4

   Back up your main agent

   When Claude Code or Codex hits its limit, carry on in OpenCode with a different model.

It sits alongside Claude Code or Codex rather than replacing your editor, and plugs into VS Code, Cursor, Zed and JetBrains. Many people use it as a second agent for cheaper models.

The closest alternatives to OpenCode in the library, best rated first.

• Claude Code4.4/5· best for building features end to endOpenCode vs Claude Code
• Zed4.3/5· best for Running Claude Code inside an editorOpenCode vs Zed
• OpenAI Codex4.2/5· best for background tasks in the cloudOpenCode vs OpenAI Codex
• Warp4.1/5· best for A nicer home for Claude CodeOpenCode vs Warp

Nobody has reviewed OpenCode here yet. If you use it, your take helps everyone else choose.