Aider vs Amp
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 · Open source
An open-source terminal pair programmer that edits code in your local Git repo and commits changes.
AI tool · Freemium
An agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits.
Our verdict
Aider is an open-source terminal tool that edits code in your local Git repo and commits each change, and you can plug in any model with your own API key. Amp is an agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph that runs in the terminal and VS Code, aimed at heavy agentic work and team-shared agent threads, with usage-based costs that can add up on long tasks. Pick based on whether you want a lean, Git-first tool you control or a more capable agent platform for team work.
Pick Aider if you live in the terminal, want every AI edit committed to Git, or want to bring your own model key.
Pick Amp if you run long, heavy agentic coding tasks, work in VS Code, or want to share agent threads with a team.
| Key difference | Aider | Amp |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Open source; free to use the software | Freemium; usage-based costs can be high on long tasks |
| Best at | Lean Git-centric terminal workflows with automatic commits | Heavy agentic coding and sharing agent threads across a team |
| Platforms | Command line on macOS, Windows, and Linux | Command line and VS Code extension |
| Models | Works with many models, including your own key | Built to use frontier models without token limits |
| Terminal fit | Terminal-only, which not everyone enjoys | Terminal and editor, so less of a terminal-only commitment |
Written with AI from both products' catalogue entries · updated 2026-10-29
Who each one is for
Choose Aider if you need…
- Git-centric terminal workflows
- Using any model with your own key
Choose Amp if you need…
- Heavy agentic coding
- Teams sharing agent threads
Side-by-side
| Aider | Amp | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Coding · Coding agents | Coding · Coding agents |
| Price | Open source | Freemium |
| Platforms | CLI, macOS, Windows, Linux | CLI, VS Code |
| Works with | 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
Aider
An open-source terminal pair programmer that edits code in your local Git repo and commits changes. Lean and effective. Terminal-only, which not everyone enjoys.
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.
Best for
Aider
- Git-centric terminal workflows
- Using any model with your own key
Amp
- Heavy agentic coding
- Teams sharing agent threads
Strengths
Aider
- Edits with automatic Git commits
- Repository map
- Works with many models
- Voice coding
Amp
- CLI and editor extension
- Shared threads
- Subagents
- Usage-based pricing
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Aider or Amp?
Aider is an open-source terminal tool that edits code in your local Git repo and commits each change, and you can plug in any model with your own API key. Amp is an agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph that runs in the terminal and VS Code, aimed at heavy agentic work and team-shared agent threads, with usage-based costs that can add up on long tasks. Pick based on whether you want a lean, Git-first tool you control or a more capable agent platform for team work. Pick Aider if you live in the terminal, want every AI edit committed to Git, or want to bring your own model key. Pick Amp if you run long, heavy agentic coding tasks, work in VS Code, or want to share agent threads with a team.
What is the difference between Aider and Amp?
Aider: An open-source terminal pair programmer that edits code in your local Git repo and commits changes. Amp: An agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits. Aider suits git-centric terminal workflows, while Amp suits heavy agentic coding.
Are Aider and Amp free?
Aider: Open source. Amp: Freemium.
What are other alternatives to Aider and Amp?
Other options people compare them with include Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenAI Codex, Devin, Cline.
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.