Claude Code vs Gemini CLI
Claude Code and Gemini CLI are both Code Generation tools in our directory. This side-by-side comparison covers pricing, user ratings, supported platforms, key features and open-source status so you can decide which one fits your needs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Claude Code | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Anthropic | |
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.4 |
| Pricing | Paid | Freemium |
| Platforms | CLI, IDE, API | CLI, Self-hosted |
| Key features | Whole-codebase reasoning via long context, File edits, tests and git operations, CLAUDE.md project memory | Free tier: 60 req/min, 1,000/day, 1M-token context window, Built-in Google Search grounding |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Mountain View, USA |
| Founded | 2025 | 2025 |
| Open source | No | Yes |
Key differences
- Claude Code has a higher user rating (4.7★ vs 4.4★).
- Claude Code is Paid, while Gemini CLI is Freemium.
- Gemini CLI is open source (its code is public), while Claude Code is proprietary.
- Claude Code runs on CLI, IDE, API; Gemini CLI runs on CLI, Self-hosted.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude Code or Gemini CLI better?
By user rating, Claude Code scores higher (4.7★ vs 4.4★). Both are capable Code Generation tools, so review the feature comparison for your use case.
Which is cheaper, Claude Code or Gemini CLI?
Claude Code is Paid and Gemini CLI is Freemium. Check each product page for current plan details.
Are Claude Code and Gemini CLI open source?
Gemini CLI is open source, while Claude Code is proprietary.