--- title: "opencode vs Claude Code: Open Source, Models and Cost | Reason Machines" description: "opencode vs Claude Code from their official docs: license, supported models and subscriptions, local models with Ollama, cost and install. Plus how to keep working in Reason when either runs out." url: "https://reasonmachines.com/guides/opencode-vs-claude-code" section: "Coding agent guides" --- # opencode vs Claude Code opencode is a free, MIT-licensed coding agent that works with 75+ model providers and local models; Claude Code is Anthropic's closed-source agent, included in paid Claude plans and built around Claude models. opencode can't use a Claude Pro or Max subscription, so the choice often comes down to which models and plans you already pay for. Reason's web and Mac apps can carry a task on either side on the model accounts you connect, so you can keep both. Updated Nov 2026 [Start with Reason](https://reasonmachines.com/) on the web, or [download Reason for macOS](https://reasonmachines.com/download). ## Compare them on one task, then keep both 1. **Try the same task in both**: Give opencode and Claude Code the same task you already know the answer to, such as a review of your current branch, and compare the diffs, the cost under each plan and the time taken. 2. **Open Reason on the web or the Mac app**: Sign in at reasonmachines.com, or download the Reason Mac app for macOS from reasonmachines.com/download and sign in there. Both open the same Sessions. 3. **Carry on in Reason when one runs out**: Push the branch, then tell Reason in the composer what is done and what is next. Reason runs on the model accounts you connect in Settings › Models, such as ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot, so a task keeps moving while a limit resets. ## opencode and Claude Code side by side | | opencode | Claude Code | | --- | --- | --- | | License | MIT | Not open source; Anthropic's Commercial Terms | | Models | 75+ providers through the AI SDK and Models.dev, plus local models | Claude models; Anthropic doesn't support routing it to non-Claude models | | Subscriptions | ChatGPT Plus, GitHub Copilot and GitLab Duo with zero setup; not Claude Pro or Max | Claude Pro, Max, Ultra, Team or Enterprise | | Local models | Yes, including Ollama at localhost:11434 | Documented by Ollama, not supported by Anthropic | | Cost | Free; optional OpenCode Go from $10 a month for hosted open models | From $20 a month (Pro), or API rates through a Console account | | Install | opencode's installer, from opencode.ai | Anthropic's native installer, from claude.com | opencode now ships OpenCode 1 and OpenCode 2, which both use the opencode command and can't be installed side by side; check its docs for the version you want. - [anomalyco/opencode on GitHub (MIT)](https://github.com/anomalyco/opencode) - [opencode docs: introduction and install](https://opencode.ai/docs) - [opencode docs: providers](https://opencode.ai/docs/providers) - [opencode docs: OpenCode Go](https://opencode.ai/v2/docs/console/go/) - [Claude Code docs: overview and install](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/overview) - [Claude Code license](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/blob/main/LICENSE.md) - [Claude Code docs: legal and compliance](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/legal-and-compliance) - [Claude Code docs: LLM gateways](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/llm-gateway) ## Honest tradeoffs opencode gives you model choice and an open codebase, and costs nothing if you bring a provider or a local model, but you manage keys, providers and model quality yourself. Claude Code is one vendor's integrated product: it works with your Claude plan out of the box, but it is closed source, tied to Claude models, and limited by your plan's five-hour and weekly limits. - [How the Claude usage limit works](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/claude-usage-limit-explained.md) - [Claude Code alternatives, free ones included](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/claude-code-alternatives.md) - [Claude Code with Ollama and local models](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/claude-code-ollama.md) ## Questions ### Is opencode free? Yes. opencode is MIT-licensed and free to use; you pay your model provider, or nothing with a local model. OpenCode Go is an optional subscription. ### Can opencode use my Claude Pro or Max plan? No. Anthropic prohibits third-party tools from using Claude plan credentials, and opencode removed its Claude Pro/Max plugins in 1.3.0. An Anthropic API key works. ### Can I keep using both? Yes. Many people keep one for model choice and the other for Claude, and carry a task on in Reason's web or Mac app when either runs out of usage. ## More guides - [How the Claude usage limit works](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/claude-usage-limit-explained.md) - [Claude Code alternatives, free ones included](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/claude-code-alternatives.md) - [Claude Code with Ollama and local models](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/claude-code-ollama.md) - [Codex vs Claude Code](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/codex-vs-claude-code.md) - [Claude Code usage limit reached: what to do](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/claude-code-usage-limit.md) - [When the Claude weekly limit resets](https://reasonmachines.com/guides/claude-weekly-limit-reset.md) - [All coding agent guides](https://reasonmachines.com/guides.md) - [Download Reason for macOS](https://reasonmachines.com/download)