Coding assistants · 3 tools compared
Last verified:
Prices may changeTry without paying first
Gemini CLI ✓Free
Free within a daily quota just by logging in with a Google account. It is the only one among the three you can start using without paying.
Delegating long tasks entirely
Claude Code ₩Paid
Strong ability to follow through on edits spanning multiple files. However, it requires a paid subscription.
If you already use ChatGPT
OpenAI Codex ◐Free plan
Start with no extra cost and seamlessly continue the same task across both the web and terminal.
When you want to inspect operations directly
Gemini CLI ✓Free
The source is open, allowing you to inspect what it does. However, make sure to check data usage terms for the free tier.
| Item | Claude Code | OpenAI Codex | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ₩Paid | ◐Free plan | ✓Free |
| Free limits | No free tier | Available with strict limits on Free and Go plans. | Free within a daily request limit just by logging in with a Google account |
| Paid price | Included with Claude Pro subscriptions starting at $20/month; usage limits depend on plan | Higher limits start with ChatGPT Plus (₩29,000/month), with the highest limits on Pro. | None |
| Korean | ○KoreanUnderstands instructions in Korean and provides explanations in Korean. | ○KoreanUnderstands Korean instructions and explains in Korean. | ○KoreanUnderstands instructions in Korean. Installation guides are mostly in English. |
| Login | Required | Required | Required |
| Platforms | Windows · macOS · Linux | Web · Windows · macOS · Linux · Browser extension | Windows · macOS · Linux |
| Commercial use | AllowedCommercial use is permitted. You can configure permissions for which files it can access. | AllowedCommercial use is allowed. Check admin settings for organization accounts. | ConditionalYou need to review the free tier terms of service and data usage policies. |
| Bundled with | Paid Claude subscription | Paid ChatGPT plan | Google account, free tier |
| Environment | Terminal | Terminal and web | Terminal |
| Source availability | Closed source | Closed source | Open source |
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Excels at completing multi-file tasks. It handles Korean prompts well, editing files and running terminal commands directly. It requires a paid Claude subscription with usage limits. Since it modifies files directly, commit changes to version control beforehand to avoid messy rollbacks.
The biggest advantage is no extra cost if you already subscribe to ChatGPT Plus. You can continue work across terminal and web seamlessly. The free tier is just a preview, so practical use requires a paid plan. Since it works asynchronously, catching off-track steps can take time.
The only option you can start using without paying. It is free within daily limits via Google login, and open-source so you can inspect its code. Daily limits can interrupt long tasks, and docs are mostly English. Check free-tier data terms before using proprietary company code.
What you already pay for decides half of it. Claude subscribers get Claude Code, and ChatGPT Plus users get Codex with no extra fees. If neither applies and you just want to get a feel, start free with Gemini CLI. Next is task size: daily limits make large edits tough on the free tier, so break down tasks or upgrade. Since no local options exist in Korea, all three are global tools. Always use version control before starting.
| Situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 🎒 Try without paying first | Gemini CLI | Free within a daily quota just by logging in with a Google account. It is the only one among the three you can start using without paying. |
| 💼 Delegating long tasks entirely | Claude Code | Strong ability to follow through on edits spanning multiple files. However, it requires a paid subscription. |
| 🌱 If you already use ChatGPT | OpenAI Codex | Start with no extra cost and seamlessly continue the same task across both the web and terminal. |
| 🔒 When you want to inspect operations directly | Gemini CLI | The source is open, allowing you to inspect what it does. However, make sure to check data usage terms for the free tier. |
Not a ranking. Different situations, different answers.
Last verified:
Prices may change; confirm on each official site before paying. A comparison's verified date is the oldest of the comparison and its tools.
A terminal-based coding agent that handles tasks for you
A coding agent included with ChatGPT plans
An open-source terminal agent you can start using for free.