# OpenCode vs Claude Code for Solo Developers (2026) > OpenCode vs Claude Code in 2026: MIT and free with any model vs Claude Pro from $17/mo. Costs, Claude subscription rules, permissions and our pick by situation. - Canonical: https://zeroraised.com/blog/opencode-vs-claude-code-for-solo-developers - Published: 2026-11-15T13:30:00Z - Author: ZeroRaised Team (https://zeroraised.com/blog/authors/zeroraised) - Publisher: ZeroRaised (https://zeroraised.com/) - Section: Building - Tags: ai-coding, claude-code, opencode, comparison **Verdict:** Pick Claude Code if you want Claude models on a flat monthly fee and the agent Anthropic builds around them: it comes with Claude Pro from $17/month billed annually. Pick OpenCode if you want an open source agent that runs any model, including free and local ones, and you would rather pay $0 to $10 a month and choose models per task. Many solo developers will end up running both on the same repository. Every price, limit and quote below comes from Anthropic's and OpenCode's own pages, checked on 15 Nov 2026. The advice and the cost examples are ours and are marked as such. ## TL;DR - **Licence.** OpenCode is MIT licensed ([OpenCode on GitHub](https://github.com/anomalyco/opencode)). Claude Code's [LICENSE.md](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/blob/main/LICENSE.md) says "All rights reserved." - **Price.** OpenCode is free with free models, OpenCode Go is "$10/month" and Go Plus "$40/month" ([OpenCode Go docs](https://opencode.ai/docs/go)). Claude Code is included in Pro at $20/month or $17/month billed annually, Max at $100 and Ultra at $200 ([Claude pricing](https://claude.com/pricing)). - **Claude subscription in OpenCode.** Anthropic's docs say subscription OAuth is for Claude Code and native Anthropic apps, so in OpenCode you pay per token for Claude models ([Claude Code legal and compliance](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/legal-and-compliance)). - **Models.** OpenCode lists "200+ LLM providers through Models.dev, including local models" ([OpenCode](https://opencode.ai)). Anthropic "doesn't support routing Claude Code to non-Claude models through any gateway" ([Claude Code LLM gateways](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/llm-gateway)). - **Shared ground.** Both read AGENTS.md, support MCP and subagents, run headless and respond to GitHub comments. **Disclosure:** ZeroRaised publishes this comparison and is a launch site for bootstrapped products. ZeroRaised has no commercial relationship with Anthropic or OpenCode and earns nothing if you sign up for either. This post was drafted with help from an AI model made by Anthropic, so weigh our Claude Code commentary with that in mind; every fact links to its source. ## How this differs from our other AI coding posts Our [Cursor alternatives guide](https://zeroraised.com/blog/cursor-alternatives-for-indie-developers) gives OpenCode one short entry, and our [Codex vs Claude Code comparison](https://zeroraised.com/blog/codex-vs-claude-code-for-solo-founders) covers the two big-lab agents. This post goes deeper: costs at three usage levels, what Anthropic's terms mean for Claude subscriptions in OpenCode, and the safety defaults you inherit. ## OpenCode vs Claude Code at a glance | | OpenCode | Claude Code | |---|---|---| | Licence | MIT | "All rights reserved" (Anthropic terms) | | Tool price | Free | Included in Claude Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, Enterprise; not Free | | Entry paid plan | Go $10/month (optional) | Pro $20/month, or $17/month billed annually | | Models | 200+ providers via Models.dev, local models, free models | Claude models only | | Pay per token | OpenCode Console catalogue, or your own provider keys | Claude API key, Bedrock, Google Cloud, Microsoft Foundry | | Surfaces | Desktop app, terminal, mobile app, SDK | CLI, VS Code extension, desktop, cloud sessions, Agent SDK | | Instruction file | AGENTS.md, falls back to CLAUDE.md | CLAUDE.md, reads AGENTS.md if no CLAUDE.md exists | | Default permissions | Allow all, ask before reading .env files | Terminal: auto mode; `claude -p`: Manual | | Headless | `opencode run` | `claude -p` | | GitHub | `/opencode` or `/oc` in comments | `@claude` in comments | | MCP | Local (stdio) and remote (Streamable HTTP) | stdio, HTTP, deprecated SSE | Sources: [OpenCode](https://opencode.ai), [OpenCode permissions](https://opencode.ai/docs/permissions), [OpenCode rules](https://opencode.ai/docs/rules), [Claude pricing](https://claude.com/pricing), [Claude Code memory](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/memory), [Claude Code permission modes](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permission-modes). ## Licence and what open source buys you OpenCode describes itself as "The open source coding agent" and its repository carries an MIT licence ([GitHub](https://github.com/anomalyco/opencode)). Its site says it is "Trusted by 22M+ developers" and cites over 220,000 GitHub stars ([OpenCode](https://opencode.ai)); those are OpenCode's own figures. Claude Code's public repository holds docs, plugins and examples, but its licence file reads: "© Anthropic PBC. All rights reserved. Use is subject to Anthropic's Commercial Terms of Service" ([LICENSE.md](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/blob/main/LICENSE.md)). Individual Free, Pro, Max and Ultra users are covered by the Consumer Terms ([legal and compliance](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/legal-and-compliance)). Our read: the licence matters only if you want to fork the agent, embed it in your product, or avoid one vendor's roadmap. Then MIT is a real advantage. ## Pricing: what you actually pay ### Claude Code: included in a Claude plan From [claude.com/pricing](https://claude.com/pricing) on 15 Nov 2026: | Plan | Price | Claude Code | Usage wording | |---|---|---|---| | Free | $0 | Not included | "Limited usage" | | Pro | $20/month, or $17/month billed annually ($200 up front) | Included | "More usage than Free" | | Max | $100/month | Included | "5x Pro usage" every 5 hours and every week | | Ultra | $200/month | Included | "No 5-hour limit" for verified accounts, "10x Pro usage" every week, $200 in monthly API credits | The Max and Ultra details come from [Anthropic's Max page](https://claude.com/pricing/max). Anthropic's help centre says "IDE usage counts toward the same usage limits shared across Claude and Claude Code" and "Pro and Max plans have a five-hour session limit and a weekly limit." On Pro you can "Enable usage credits to keep using Claude with your Pro plan after you reach your five-hour session limit" ([Claude help centre](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11145838-using-claude-code-with-your-pro-or-max-plan)). Our read: chatting with Claude in the browser eats the same allowance as coding. If you lean on both, budget for that. ### OpenCode: free, Go, or pay per token - **Free models.** "OpenCode comes with a set of free models. No account needed" ([OpenCode](https://opencode.ai)). - **OpenCode Go.** "$10/month" for "Lower-cost access" to a list of models, and Go Plus at "$40/month" with "Higher usage limits" ([Go docs](https://opencode.ai/docs/go)). Each model has a monthly dollar allowance, with 20% usable per 5 hours and 50% per week. For example, the Go plan lists Kimi K2.7 Code with a $60 monthly limit and DeepSeek V4 Pro with $15. The models are mostly open-weight; the only Claude model listed is Claude Haiku 5.5. With Extra Usage on, "Go will fall back to your pay-as-you-go balance after you've reached your usage limits instead of blocking requests." - **Pay per token.** The [OpenCode Console model list](https://opencode.ai/zen) prices 29 models per million tokens, including Claude Sonnet 5.5 at $2 input / $10 output and Claude Opus 5.5 at $4 / $20. Those match Anthropic's own [API list prices](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/about-claude/pricing) for the same models. - **Bring your own key.** Any provider in the [Models.dev catalogue](https://opencode.ai/docs/providers). OpenCode also supports signing in with a ChatGPT Plus or Pro plan, and GitHub Copilot through device OAuth, per the same page. A privacy note worth reading before you pick a Go model: the Go docs say most models are not used for training, but the Muse Spark Contributor models and Iceman Contributor Free use your request data for training in return for discounted or free access (our paraphrase), paid endpoints that train on request data are blocked by default, and some models retain data for 30 days ([Go docs](https://opencode.ai/docs/go)). ## Can OpenCode use your Claude subscription? This is the question most people searching this comparison actually have. Anthropic's Claude Code docs say: > "OAuth authentication is intended exclusively for purchasers of Claude Free, Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, and Enterprise subscription plans and is designed to support ordinary use of Claude Code and other native Anthropic applications." And for developers of other tools: > "Anthropic does not permit third-party developers to offer Claude.ai login into their own applications, or to route requests through Free, Pro, Max, or Ultra plan credentials on behalf of their users." The page adds that Anthropic "reserves the right to take measures to enforce these restrictions and may do so without prior notice" ([legal and compliance](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/legal-and-compliance)). OpenCode's [providers page](https://opencode.ai/docs/providers) does not offer a Claude subscription login when we checked. What this means in practice: a Claude Pro or Max plan buys you Claude Code, not Claude inside OpenCode. To run Claude models in OpenCode, pay per token with an Anthropic API key or through OpenCode's own catalogue. ## Models and local options OpenCode's main pitch is choice: free, Go, per-token and your own keys in one tool. For local models, its docs describe pointing a `providers.ollama` entry at an Ollama server with `settings.baseURL` (including `/v1`), and note that LM Studio has "built-in local discovery" at `http://127.0.0.1:1234/v1` ([providers](https://opencode.ai/docs/providers)). Our [guide to running an LLM locally](https://zeroraised.com/blog/how-to-run-an-llm-locally) covers the hardware side. Claude Code runs Claude models. You can route it through Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud's Agent Platform, Microsoft Foundry or an LLM gateway, but Anthropic says it "doesn't support routing Claude Code to non-Claude models through any gateway" ([LLM gateways](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/llm-gateway)). ## Permissions and safety defaults The defaults are different enough to matter. **OpenCode.** The documented base policy for every agent is allow `*` on `*`, with `ask` for reading `*.env` and `*.env.*` files (and `*.env.example` allowed). The docs also say "The default policy allows `external_directory`," so paths outside the project are not prompted unless you add a rule. The shipped `plan` agent denies edits except under `~/.opencode/plan` ([permissions](https://opencode.ai/docs/permissions)). **Claude Code.** For terminal and VS Code sessions on recent versions, the built-in starting mode is `auto`, where "a background classifier checks" shell commands and network requests before they run. `claude -p` and the Agent SDK start in `default` (Manual), which prompts on first use of each tool ([permission modes](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permission-modes)). In Manual mode, file reads in the working directory need no approval, while shell commands, file edits and web fetches do, apart from built-in exceptions ([permissions](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permissions)). Our read: OpenCode trusts you to lock it down. If you use it on a repo with secrets or deploy scripts, start in the `plan` agent and add `ask` or `deny` rules for shell commands before letting `build` loose. Either way, read the diff; our [guide to reviewing AI-generated code](https://zeroraised.com/blog/how-to-review-ai-generated-code) has a checklist. ## Instructions, MCP, subagents and automation | Feature | OpenCode | Claude Code | |---|---|---| | Project instructions | `AGENTS.md`; `CLAUDE.md` used if no AGENTS.md exists; `/init` creates or updates it | `CLAUDE.md`; reads `AGENTS.md` when no CLAUDE.md exists, or import it with `@AGENTS.md` | | Global instructions | `~/.config/opencode/AGENTS.md` | `~/.claude/CLAUDE.md` | | Custom subagents | `.opencode/agents/.md` | `.claude/agents/` | | Built-in agents | build, plan, general, explore | Explore, Plan, general-purpose | | MCP | Local stdio and remote Streamable HTTP, OAuth on remote | stdio, HTTP, SSE (deprecated) | | Headless | `opencode run "Explain this repository"` | `claude -p "..."` with `--output-format json` | | GitHub | `opencode github install`, then `/oc` in a comment | `/install-github-app`, then `@claude` in a comment | | GitHub auth | Your provider API keys as Actions secrets | API key, or a subscription token from `claude setup-token` | Sources: [OpenCode rules](https://opencode.ai/docs/rules), [OpenCode agents](https://opencode.ai/docs/agents), [OpenCode MCP](https://opencode.ai/docs/mcp-servers), [OpenCode CLI](https://opencode.ai/docs/cli), [OpenCode GitHub](https://opencode.ai/docs/github), [Claude Code memory](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/memory), [Claude Code subagents](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/sub-agents), [Claude Code MCP](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp), [Claude Code headless](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/headless), [Claude Code GitHub Actions](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/github-actions). One useful difference for CI: Claude Code's GitHub Action can run on your subscription via `CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN`, which the docs say is available on Pro, Max, Ultra, Team and Enterprise. OpenCode's GitHub setup stores your provider API keys as Actions secrets, so CI usage bills to whichever provider you choose. OpenCode's docs also warn that "MCP tools consume model context, so add only the servers you need," which applies equally to both tools. ## Worked monthly costs for a solo founder These are our illustrative examples at list prices, ignoring prompt caching (which lowers real per-token bills) and taxes. Token volumes are assumptions, not measurements. | Usage | OpenCode | Claude Code | |---|---|---| | **Light**: a few sessions a week, side project | $0 on free models, or $10 on Go | Pro: $17/month annual or $20 monthly | | **Medium**: most days, 10M input + 1M output tokens on a Sonnet-class model | Go $10 for routine work, plus Claude Sonnet 5.5 per token for hard tasks: (10 × $2) + (1 × $10) = $30. Total $40 | Pro at $20, if it fits the 5-hour and weekly limits; Max at $100 if not | | **Heavy**: full-time agent use, 40M input + 4M output on an Opus-class model | Claude Opus 5.5 per token: (40 × $4) + (4 × $20) = $240 | Max $100 or Ultra $200 | Our read on the arithmetic: if you want Claude models and you code most days, a subscription is usually the better deal, and only Claude Code can use one. OpenCode wins when you are happy with open-weight models on Go or free tiers, or when your usage is spiky enough that $0 most months beats $20 every month. ## Decision table | Your situation | Our pick | |---|---| | Budget is $0 | OpenCode with free models, or local models via Ollama | | You already pay for Claude Pro or Max | Claude Code | | You want Claude Opus or Sonnet as your main model | Claude Code on a plan | | You want to switch models per task, including open-weight ones | OpenCode | | You need offline or fully local coding | OpenCode with a local model | | You want to fork or embed the agent | OpenCode (MIT) | | You already pay for ChatGPT Plus or GitHub Copilot | OpenCode, signed in with that plan | | You want the most guardrails by default | Claude Code (auto mode classifier, or Manual) | | CI review on a subscription, not per token | Claude Code GitHub Action with `claude setup-token` | ## The "use both" workflow Our suggested setup for a bootstrapped solo developer: 1. **One instruction file.** Write `AGENTS.md`, then add a one-line `CLAUDE.md` that imports it with `@AGENTS.md`. Both tools follow the same rules. 2. **Claude Code for the hard work.** Multi-file features, tricky refactors and debugging, on Claude Pro. 3. **OpenCode for cheap, high-volume work.** Tests, docs, renames, boilerplate and quick questions on Go or free models, so you save your Claude limits for the tasks that need them. 4. **Cross-review.** Let one agent write and the other review the diff before you merge. Total: $17 to $20 for Pro plus $0 to $10 for OpenCode, so $17 to $30 a month on list prices. If you are weighing editors as well, our [Claude Code vs Cursor post](https://zeroraised.com/blog/claude-code-vs-cursor-for-solo-founders) covers that choice. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is OpenCode free? The tool is free and MIT licensed. OpenCode's site says it comes with a set of free models and no account is needed. You can also bring your own API keys from 200+ providers or run local models through Ollama or LM Studio. Paid options are OpenCode Go at $10/month, Go Plus at $40/month, and pay-per-token models in the OpenCode Console. ### Can I use my Claude Pro or Max subscription in OpenCode? Not under Anthropic's published rules. Claude Code's legal and compliance page says subscription OAuth is intended to support ordinary use of Claude Code and other native Anthropic applications, and that third-party developers may not route requests through Free, Pro, Max or Ultra credentials. To use Claude models in OpenCode, use an Anthropic API key or OpenCode's per-token Claude models. ### Which is cheaper for a solo developer? For light use, OpenCode is cheaper: $0 with free models or $10/month on Go. If you want Claude models, Claude Pro at $17 to $20/month is usually cheaper than per-token billing once you code most days. In our heavy-use example, 40M input and 4M output tokens on Claude Opus 5.5 cost $240 at list price, more than Max at $100 or Ultra at $200. ### Is Claude Code open source? No. The LICENSE.md in the anthropics/claude-code repository reads "All rights reserved" and points to Anthropic's Commercial Terms of Service. OpenCode's repository is MIT licensed, so you can read, fork and modify it. ### Can I use OpenCode and Claude Code on the same project? Yes. OpenCode reads AGENTS.md and falls back to CLAUDE.md when no AGENTS.md exists. Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md and can read AGENTS.md when no CLAUDE.md exists, or import it from CLAUDE.md. One shared instruction file keeps both agents following the same rules. ## Ship what you build Whichever agent writes your code, the hard part is still getting users. Run through our [product launch checklist for bootstrapped makers](https://zeroraised.com/blog/product-launch-checklist-for-bootstrapped-makers), then [launch on ZeroRaised](https://zeroraised.com/submit), the directory for products built without VC. For more tool comparisons with prices checked on the day, [join the ZeroRaised newsletter](https://zeroraised.com/newsletter). ## Sources - [Claude pricing](https://claude.com/pricing), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Max and Ultra plans](https://claude.com/pricing/max), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Using Claude Code with your Pro or Max plan (Claude help centre)](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11145838-using-claude-code-with-your-pro-or-max-plan), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude API pricing](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/about-claude/pricing), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code legal and compliance](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/legal-and-compliance), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code LICENSE.md](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/blob/main/LICENSE.md), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code permissions](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permissions), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code permission modes](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permission-modes), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code memory (CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md)](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/memory), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code subagents](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/sub-agents), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code MCP](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code headless mode](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/headless), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code GitHub Actions](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/github-actions), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [Claude Code LLM gateways](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/llm-gateway), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode homepage](https://opencode.ai), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode on GitHub](https://github.com/anomalyco/opencode), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode Go](https://opencode.ai/go), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode Go docs](https://opencode.ai/docs/go), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode Console model pricing](https://opencode.ai/zen), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode providers](https://opencode.ai/docs/providers), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode permissions](https://opencode.ai/docs/permissions), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode rules](https://opencode.ai/docs/rules), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode agents](https://opencode.ai/docs/agents), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode MCP servers](https://opencode.ai/docs/mcp-servers), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode CLI](https://opencode.ai/docs/cli), last checked 15 Nov 2026 - [OpenCode GitHub integration](https://opencode.ai/docs/github), last checked 15 Nov 2026 ## Frequently asked questions ### Is OpenCode free? The tool is free and MIT licensed. OpenCode's site says it comes with a set of free models and no account is needed. You can also bring your own API keys from 200+ providers or run local models through Ollama or LM Studio. Paid options are OpenCode Go at $10/month, Go Plus at $40/month, and pay-per-token models in the OpenCode Console. ### Can I use my Claude Pro or Max subscription in OpenCode? Not under Anthropic's published rules. Claude Code's legal and compliance page says subscription OAuth is intended to support ordinary use of Claude Code and other native Anthropic applications, and that third-party developers may not route requests through Free, Pro, Max or Ultra credentials. To use Claude models in OpenCode, use an Anthropic API key or OpenCode's per-token Claude models. ### Which is cheaper for a solo developer? For light use, OpenCode is cheaper: $0 with free models or $10/month on Go. If you want Claude models, Claude Pro at $17 to $20/month is usually cheaper than per-token billing once you code most days. In our heavy-use example, 40M input and 4M output tokens on Claude Opus 5.5 cost $240 at list price, more than Max at $100 or Ultra at $200. ### Is Claude Code open source? No. The LICENSE.md in the anthropics/claude-code repository reads 'All rights reserved' and points to Anthropic's Commercial Terms of Service. OpenCode's repository is MIT licensed, so you can read, fork and modify it. ### Can I use OpenCode and Claude Code on the same project? Yes. OpenCode reads AGENTS.md and falls back to CLAUDE.md when no AGENTS.md exists. Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md and can read AGENTS.md when no CLAUDE.md exists, or import it from CLAUDE.md. One shared instruction file keeps both agents following the same rules.