Alternatives to Claude Code
Agentic coding tool that reads a codebase, edits files and runs commands. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Claude Code
Agentic coding tool that reads a codebase, edits files and runs commands.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Claude Code.
Aider
AI pair programming in a terminal, working directly on your git repository and committing as it goes.
Aider is a free Apache-2.0 terminal tool that commits every change to git and connects to almost any model, including local ones.
OpenCode
Work with an AI coding assistant from your terminal.
OpenCode is a free MIT licensed terminal coding assistant supporting multiple model providers, with provider charges separate from the client.
Crush
Terminal coding agent that works with whichever large language model you point it at.
Crush is a free MIT licensed terminal agent for any OpenAI- or Anthropic-compatible API, letting you switch models mid-session, though you pay for model access.
Goose
Run an extensible AI assistant on your desktop or in a terminal.
Goose is a free Apache-2.0 assistant for desktop or terminal that connects any configured model provider to tools through MCP extensions.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Ollama
The simplest way to pull down an open language model and run it on your own machine, from one command or a desktop app.
LM Studio
A polished desktop app for downloading, running and chatting with local language models, with an OpenAI-compatible server built in.
llama.cpp
The C++ engine most local AI apps are built on, running language models on ordinary hardware.
