Guide

Open-source alternatives to Claude Code and Cursor

Claude Code and Cursor are paid AI coding tools. Claude Code is an agent that edits your repository and runs commands; Cursor is an AI code editor with tab completion and an agent built in.

The open-source projects below do the same kinds of work as terminal agents, editor extensions or full editors. The software is free; the model behind it is what you pay for, if anything. Many work with your own API key or a local model through Ollama or LM Studio, and each row shows which.

Quick answer

Facts checked 21 Oct 2026

We track 9 open-source coding agents and AI editors, each checked for licence, commercial use, hardware, paid services and setup. OpenCode, Kilo Code, OpenHands and Zed (and 4 more) run on your own machine, allow commercial use and need no paid service (you still choose a model: a paid API key or a free local one). Easiest to set up: OpenCode, Gemini CLI and Kilo Code (and 5 more).

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Step-by-step builds

Each build names the repos, shows how they connect and walks through the steps. Every one has its own "Give this to your agent" prompt.

Build an AI agent that wakes up on a webhook, email or chat message When an email arrives, a form is filled or someone posts in chat, an AI agent starts, does the task and reports back. Advanced · A weekend Build your own AI app builder and code reviewer with open-source software Build apps from a prompt on your own machine, with an AI reviewer checking every change. Beginner · An afternoon

Compared

Best ranked first (stars, recent activity and how many facts we could source). Unknown means we found no source, never a yes.

Project	Runs locally	Commercial use	Paid services	Setup	Stars
OpenCodeOpen-source AI coding agent for the terminal, with a desktop app and IDE extension, that works with any model provider or a local model.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · MIT	Partial: Optional only	Confirmed: Easy	★ 219k
Gemini CLIGoogle's open-source terminal coding agent for Gemini models; since June 2026 it needs a paid Gemini API key or a Code Assist licence.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0	No: Required	Confirmed: Easy	★ —
Kilo CodeMIT-licensed coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal, with 500+ cloud models at provider rates or local models via Ollama.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · MIT	Partial: Optional only	Confirmed: Easy	★ —
OpenHandsSelf-hosted control center and CLI for AI coding agents, running OpenHands or Claude Code and Codex with any model, including local LLMs.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · MIT	Partial: Optional only	Confirmed: Medium	★ —
ZedFast open-source code editor with a built-in AI agent, MCP support and edit prediction; use your own API keys, Ollama or LM Studio, or Zed's paid models.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · GPL-3.0-or-later	Partial: Optional only	Confirmed: Easy	★ —
AiderFree, open-source AI pair programmer for the terminal that edits code in your Git repo using cloud model keys or local models.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0	Partial: Optional only	Confirmed: Easy	★ —
ClineOpen-source coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, the terminal and a desktop app, using your own model keys or local models via Ollama or LM Studio.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0	Partial: Optional only	Confirmed: Easy	★ —
OpenAI Codex CLIOpenAI's open-source terminal coding agent; sign in with a ChatGPT plan or API key, or run local models through Ollama or LM Studio.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0	Partial: Optional only	Confirmed: Easy	★ —
gooseOpen-source AI agent with a desktop app and CLI that runs on your machine, connects to MCP extensions and works with any model, including Ollama.	Confirmed: Yes	Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0	Partial: Optional only	Confirmed: Easy	★ —

Common questions

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool. It works in the terminal, in VS Code and JetBrains, in a desktop app and in the browser, and it is included with the paid Claude Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans, not the free plan. Source: claude.com · pricing

Is there a free alternative to Claude Code?

OpenCode, Kilo Code, OpenHands, Zed, Aider and Cline (and 2 more) are free to run, with paid services (usually a hosted model API) optional. The software is free; the AI model is the usual cost. A local model through Ollama or LM Studio costs nothing per request but needs a capable computer.

Which Claude Code or Cursor alternatives work with a local LLM?

OpenCode, Kilo Code, OpenHands, Zed, Aider, Cline, OpenAI Codex CLI and goose document support for a local model (for example Ollama or LM Studio), so you can work without a paid API key. Small local models make more mistakes than the best hosted ones, so expect to check their work more often.

Which can I use commercially?

Confirmed: OpenCode (MIT), Gemini CLI (Apache-2.0), Kilo Code (MIT), OpenHands (MIT), Zed (GPL-3.0-or-later), Aider (Apache-2.0), Cline (Apache-2.0), OpenAI Codex CLI (Apache-2.0) and goose (Apache-2.0). This is not legal advice; read each licence.

Which is easiest to set up?

Rated easy from their install docs: OpenCode, Gemini CLI, Kilo Code, Zed, Aider, Cline, OpenAI Codex CLI and goose. Each page links the exact install step we checked.

Which run on Windows?

OpenCode, Gemini CLI, Kilo Code, OpenHands, Zed, Aider, OpenAI Codex CLI and goose are documented to run on Windows. The others are web apps, servers or unconfirmed; check each page.

By paid product

Open-source alternatives to Claude Code Included with Claude Pro ($20/month, or $17/month billed annually), Max (from $100/month), Team and Enterprise; not on the free plan (checked 21 Oct 2026) Open-source alternatives to Cursor Free plan with limited AI use; Plus $8/month, Premium $30/month, Super $100/month, Ultra $200/month; third-party models billed separately by usage (checked 21 Oct 2026)

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