Aider vs Claude Code

In short

• Both: Chat about your code, Agent that edits files, Knows the whole codebase, Runs commands, Command line
• Only Aider states: Reviews pull requests, Choice of models, Self-hosted, API
• Only Claude Code states: VS Code, JetBrains IDEs

Aider

Aider is an open-source terminal tool for pair programming with language models and editing code in local repositories.

Plans

Not read from the maker’s page yet.

Prices checked 2026-09-25 on the maker’s page.

Capabilities

• Chat about your code — “Chat modes — Using the code, architect, ask and help chat modes.” source
• Agent that edits files — “Usage — How to use aider to pair program with AI and edit code in your local git repo.” source
• Knows the whole codebase — “Aider makes a map of your entire codebase, which helps it work well in larger projects.” source
• Runs commands — “Automatically lint and test your code every time aider makes changes.” source
• Reviews pull requests — “You can also use aider to review PR branches:” source
• Command line — “Aider is AI pair programming in your terminal.” source
• Choice of models — “In-chat commands — Control aider with in-chat commands like /add, /model, etc.” source
• Self-hosted — “To run the project locally, follow these steps:” source
• API — “Yes. You can script aider via the command line or python.” source

Claude Code

Claude Code is an AI coding agent that works in terminals, IDEs, Slack, and the web to plan, write, test, and review code.

Plans

Free

Free

• Chat on web, desktop, and mobile
• Search the web, create files, and run code
• Memory across conversations
• Connect your apps and tools
• Create Artifacts

Pro

• $17 Per month with annual subscription discount
• $200 billed up front
• $20 if billed monthly

• Claude Code included
• More usage
• Hand off and schedule tasks
• Claude Design, Slides, Docs
• Claude Science
• Projects

Max

• From $100 Per month

• Claude Code included
• Choose 5x or 20x more usage than Pro
• Higher output limits for all tasks
• Early access to advanced Claude features
• Priority access at high traffic times

Standard seat

• $20 Per seat / month if billed annually
• $25 if billed monthly

• All Claude features, plus more usage than Pro
• Claude Code and Claude Cowork
• Claude Design, Slides, and Docs
• Claude Science
• Enterprise search across your organization
• Central billing and administration

Premium seat

• $100 Per seat / month if billed annually
• $125 if billed monthly

• 5x more usage than standard seats
• Claude Code and Claude Cowork
• Claude Design, Slides, and Docs
• Claude Science
• Enterprise search across your organization
• Central billing and administration

Enterprise

• US$20/seat/month, billed annually

• All Team plan features
• Admins set user and org spend limits
• Role-based access with fine grained permissioning
• System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM)
• Audit logs
• Custom data retention controls

Enterprise (sales-assisted)

Price on request

• All Team plan features
• Admins set user and org spend limits
• Role-based access with fine grained permissioning
• System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM)
• Audit logs
• Custom data retention controls

Prices checked 2026-09-25 on the maker’s page.

Capabilities

• Chat about your code — “I'm new to this codebase. Can you explain it to me?” source
• Agent that edits files — “Claude Code builds the plan, asks clarifying questions, and handles work that runs for hours or days.” source
• Knows the whole codebase — “Claude Code maps and explains entire codebases in a few seconds.” source
• Runs commands — “Claude Code runs in your terminal and works alongside your preferred IDE and development tools without requiring you to change your workflow.” source
• VS Code — “Native extensions for VS Code (+ Cursor, Devin Desktop) and JetBrains IDEs.” source
• JetBrains IDEs — “Native extensions for VS Code (+ Cursor, Devin Desktop) and JetBrains IDEs.” source
• Command line — “Super powerful terminal integration. Works with all your CLI tools alongside any IDE.” source

Latest updates

• 2026-09-24 2.1.282 (2.1.282)
• 2026-09-23 2.1.281 (2.1.281)

  Added Claude Desktop policy keys, assumed-role and guardrail support for Bedrock upstreams, and telemetry resource attributes to gateway config.

• 2026-09-22 2.1.280 (2.1.280)

  Added Claude Opus 5.5 as the default Opus model, with a 1M context window and listed token pricing.