Gemini CLI vs Claude Code: verdict, side-by-side table and sources.
| Gemini CLI 0.64.0 | Claude Code 2.1.300 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Google's open-source terminal agent for Gemini. | Anthropic's terminal coding agent. |
| Pricing | Open source (free tier with a Google account; paid API optional) | Paid (needs a Claude plan or API key) |
| Latest release we track | 0.64.0 (13 Oct 2026) | 2.1.300 (14 Oct 2026) |
| AgentPick Score | 95/100 | 96/100 |
| Try it | Official source ↗ | Official source ↗ |
Links may become affiliate links; they never change a ranking. Disclosure.
Gemini CLI is best for trying a terminal agent for free (free tier with a Google account) and is open source. Claude Code is best if you already pay for Claude.
Gemini CLI 0.64.0Verdict: A maintenance release, mostly relevant if you run Gemini CLI as an A2A server or through ACP-based editors.
Test notes: The verdict is based on the linked public release notes only.
Pricing: Open source (free tier with a Google account; paid API optional)
Claude Code 2.1.300Verdict: An incremental release aimed at people customizing Claude Code with mods and monitoring it with OpenTelemetry. Nothing changes for everyday use.
Test notes: The verdict is based on the linked public release notes only.
Pricing: Paid (needs a Claude plan or API key)
Every row comes from the sources linked on each card. Last updated 15 Oct 2026.
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