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Gemini CLI vs Claude Code

Gemini CLI and Claude Code side by side: who can use each now, models, licenses, MCP support and the free option Google moved elsewhere.

Local servers
Yes
runs stdio servers
Hosted servers
Yes
connects by URL
Config
CLI + JSON
how servers are added
Plugins
Yes
plugin marketplaces

Pick Claude Code if you have a Claude plan and want Claude models in your terminal. Pick Gemini CLI if your company has a Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise license on Google Cloud.

Google's repository says free individual access and Google AI Pro and Ultra moved to Antigravity CLI on June 18, 2026. Individuals who want Google's free option should read Claude Code vs Antigravity.

Good for

  • Developers choosing a terminal coding agent
  • Gemini CLI users who lost free access in June 2026
  • Teams on Google Cloud weighing Gemini Code Assist against Claude
  • Claude subscribers curious about Google tools

Side by side

Use Claude Code with a Claude plan, and Gemini CLI only if your organization already licenses Gemini Code Assist. Google points individuals to Antigravity CLI instead.

OptionClaude CodeGemini CLI
Meant forClaude plan holdersCode Assist customers
Free planNoREADME: no free tier. Quota page still lists one
Cheapest planPro, $20/moCode Assist Standard or Enterprise license (no price on these pages)
ModelsClaude modelsGemini models
Open sourceNo, all rights reservedYes, Apache-2.0
Runs inTerminal, IDE, desktop, webTerminal, VS Code companion
Connect apps with MCPYesYes
Instruction fileCLAUDE.mdGEMINI.md
Daily requests per user (Gemini: Code Assist)Plan usage pool1,500 Standard, 2,000 Enterprise
Script modeclaude -pgemini -p

Which to pick

Our advice: use Claude Code if you pay for Claude, and Gemini CLI if your company licenses Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise. Individuals who want Google's free agent should check Antigravity CLI, which Google says took over free access.

Gemini CLI is no longer Google's main developer agent for individuals, so check the README banner before you install.

Best for

  • Claude Code: Claude Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise users
  • Claude Code: developers who want terminal, IDE, desktop and web in one tool
  • Gemini CLI: Google Cloud teams with Code Assist Standard or Enterprise
  • Gemini CLI: developers who want an Apache-2.0 licensed agent they can read and fork

Skip it if

  • Claude Code: you want a free plan, since it starts at Pro
  • Gemini CLI: you want Gemini 4 Argon, since Google says to use Antigravity CLI for it; free individual access is also said to have moved there, though the quota page body still lists free tiers

Questions

Gemini CLI vs Claude Code: which is better?

Neither wins outright. They serve different buyers: Claude Code is included with paid Claude plans, and Gemini CLI is now aimed at Gemini Code Assist Standard and Enterprise customers. Neither vendor publishes a head-to-head test.

Is Gemini CLI still free?

Google's pages disagree. The README says there is no free tier and free individual access moved to Antigravity CLI on June 18, 2026. The quota page repeats that notice at the top, but its table below still lists 1,000 daily requests for Gemini Code Assist (Individual) and a free Gemini API key tier of 250. Check Google's current sign-in options before relying on either.

What replaced Gemini CLI?

Antigravity CLI, whose command is agy. Google offers a migration guide that converts Gemini CLI extensions and settings. See Claude Code vs Antigravity.

Is Claude Code free?

No. Claude Free does not include Claude Code. You need Pro ($20 a month, or $17 billed yearly) or higher, or you can pay per token with a Console account (checked November 2026).

Is Gemini CLI open source?

Yes. The repository is under the Apache License 2.0. Claude Code's license reads "All rights reserved", though its repository is public.

Do both support MCP servers?

Yes. Gemini CLI uses MCP servers to add tools, and you add servers to Claude Code with claude mcp add. See Claude Code MCP setup and Gemini CLI MCP setup.

What are Gemini CLI's usage limits?

The quota page lists 1,500 model requests per user per day for Gemini Code Assist Standard and 2,000 for Enterprise. Claude Code draws from your Claude plan's 5-hour and weekly usage, with no fixed message count (as of November 2026).

Can Gemini CLI use Gemini 4?

Google's README says it is not tuned for Gemini 4 and points to Antigravity CLI for Gemini 4 Argon.

How do I move from Gemini CLI to Claude Code?

Your instruction file changes from GEMINI.md to CLAUDE.md, though Claude Code can read an AGENTS.md in its place. Add your MCP servers again with the claude mcp add command.

Information

updated Nov 3, 2026

Transports
stdio, SSE, Streamable HTTP
Config file (all)
.mcp.json (project) or ~/.claude.json (user)
MCP docs
code.claude.com

Docs

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 6
  1. google-gemini/gemini-cli README · github.com
  2. Claude Code overview · code.claude.com
  3. Gemini CLI quotas and pricing · geminicli.com
  4. claude-code LICENSE · github.com
  5. Claude plans and pricing · claude.com
  6. Claude Code MCP · code.claude.com

Updated Nov 3, 2026.