Amp vs Gemini CLI
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
AI tool · Freemium
An agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits.
AI tool · Open source
Google's open-source terminal agent that uses Gemini models to read code, edit files and run commands.
Our verdict
Amp is a Sourcegraph coding agent for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits, with shared agent threads for teams; its costs are usage-based and can be high on long tasks. Gemini CLI is Google's open-source terminal agent that runs on Gemini models, offers generous free usage, and is best for a free coding agent or questions across large codebases. Both do similar agentic work, so the choice mostly comes down to budget, team sharing, and which model family you prefer.
Pick Amp if your team wants to share agent threads and you are willing to pay usage-based costs for heavy, long agentic coding work.
Pick Gemini CLI if you want a free, open-source terminal agent for everyday coding or for asking questions about a large codebase.
| Key difference | Amp | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Freemium; usage-based costs can be high on long tasks | Open source with a generous free tier via Google account |
| Best at | Heavy agentic coding and sharing agent threads with teammates | Free terminal coding and large-context codebase questions |
| Platforms | CLI and VS Code extension | CLI on macOS, Windows and Linux |
| Standout feature | Shared threads and subagents | Large context window and MCP support |
| Predictability | Capable and opinionated; behaviour not flagged as unpredictable | Behaviour can be less predictable than mature agents; review changes |
Written with AI from both products' catalogue entries · updated 2026-10-29
Who each one is for
Choose Amp if you need…
- Heavy agentic coding
- Teams sharing agent threads
Choose Gemini CLI if you need…
- Free terminal coding agent
- Large-context codebase questions
Side-by-side
| Amp | Gemini CLI | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Coding · Coding agents | Coding · Coding agents |
| Price | Freemium | Open source |
| Platforms | CLI, VS Code | CLI, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Works with | VS Code, GitHub | VS Code, GitHub |
| Hands-on tested by us | Not yet | Not yet |
| Last checked | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-29 |
What each one is
Amp
An agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits. Capable and opinionated. Usage-based costs can be high on long tasks.
Gemini CLI
Google's open-source terminal agent that uses Gemini models to read code, edit files and run commands. Generous free usage. Behaviour can be less predictable than mature agents; review changes.
Best for
Amp
- Heavy agentic coding
- Teams sharing agent threads
Gemini CLI
- Free terminal coding agent
- Large-context codebase questions
Strengths
Amp
- CLI and editor extension
- Shared threads
- Subagents
- Usage-based pricing
Gemini CLI
- Terminal agent
- Large context window
- MCP support
- Free tier with a Google account
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Amp or Gemini CLI?
Amp is a Sourcegraph coding agent for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits, with shared agent threads for teams; its costs are usage-based and can be high on long tasks. Gemini CLI is Google's open-source terminal agent that runs on Gemini models, offers generous free usage, and is best for a free coding agent or questions across large codebases. Both do similar agentic work, so the choice mostly comes down to budget, team sharing, and which model family you prefer. Pick Amp if your team wants to share agent threads and you are willing to pay usage-based costs for heavy, long agentic coding work. Pick Gemini CLI if you want a free, open-source terminal agent for everyday coding or for asking questions about a large codebase.
What is the difference between Amp and Gemini CLI?
Amp: An agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits. Gemini CLI: Google's open-source terminal agent that uses Gemini models to read code, edit files and run commands. Amp suits heavy agentic coding, while Gemini CLI suits free terminal coding agent.
Are Amp and Gemini CLI free?
Amp: Freemium. Gemini CLI: Open source.
What are other alternatives to Amp and Gemini CLI?
Other options people compare them with include Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, Aider, Cline, Devin.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.