Claude Code vs Gemini CLI: pricing & usage limits
Side-by-side plans and limits from each vendor's official pricing page, checked 2026-10-19.
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| Claude Code | Gemini CLI | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | CLI agent | CLI agent |
| Plans & prices | Free$0 Pro$20 ($17/mo annual) Max 5x$100 Max 20x$200 Team (Premium seat)$100/seat (annual), $125 monthly | Free (Google login, Code Assist for individuals)$0 Free (Gemini API key, unpaid)$0 Google AI ProUnverified (not listed on Gemini CLI docs) Google AI UltraUnverified (not listed on Gemini CLI docs) Code Assist Standard (Workspace)Unverified (bought via Google Cloud) Code Assist Enterprise (Workspace)Unverified (bought via Google Cloud) Pay as you go (API key / Vertex AI)Per token |
| Limits by plan | Free Claude Code not included Pro 5-hour session + weekly limits, shared with Claude chat Max 5x 5x Pro usage; includes $100/mo API credits for the Claude Platform Max 20x 20x Pro usage; includes $200/mo API credits for the Claude Platform Team (Premium seat) 5x Standard-seat usage; includes Claude Code; teams of 2-150 | Free (Google login, Code Assist for individuals) 1,000 model requests/user/day. Note: Google says unpaid-tier and Google One users were moved to Antigravity CLI on Jun 18, 2026 (unverified whether this free path still works) Free (Gemini API key, unpaid) 250 requests/user/day, Flash model only Google AI Pro 1,500 requests/user/day (docs table; may be superseded by Jun 2026 Antigravity move) Google AI Ultra 2,000 requests/user/day (docs table; may be superseded by Jun 2026 Antigravity move) Code Assist Standard (Workspace) 1,500 requests/user/day Code Assist Enterprise (Workspace) 2,000 requests/user/day Pay as you go (API key / Vertex AI) Per-minute rate limits; no daily cap |
| Limit reset | Rolling 5 hours + weekly | Daily (requests per user per day) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Checked | Checked 2026-10-19 | Checked 2026-10-19 |
Verdict
Pick Claude Code if
you want Claude models and 5-hour/weekly limits bundled with Claude chat.
Claude Code pricing →Pick Gemini CLI if
you want a free tier with daily request caps, or pay-as-you-go via a Gemini API key.
Gemini CLI pricing →Full details: Claude Code pricing · Gemini CLI pricing
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Claude Code or Gemini CLI?
Claude Code is from $20/mo and Gemini CLI is usage-based, based on each vendor's pricing page checked 2026-10-19. Included usage differs, so compare the limits per plan above.
Do Claude Code and Gemini CLI have free plans?
Claude Code: yes. Gemini CLI: yes.
How do Claude Code and Gemini CLI usage limits reset?
Claude Code: Rolling 5 hours + weekly. Gemini CLI: Daily (requests per user per day).
Should I pick Claude Code or Gemini CLI?
Pick Claude Code if you want Claude models and 5-hour/weekly limits bundled with Claude chat. Pick Gemini CLI if you want a free tier with daily request caps, or pay-as-you-go via a Gemini API key.
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