Claude Code wins on our tests — it scores 9.7 against Aider's 8.7. That said, Aider has a genuine free version while Claude Code is paid — if budget decides, start with Aider.
Head to head Code & Dev
Aider vs Claude Code
Two code & dev tools, one honest verdict — scores, pricing and free tiers compared side by side.
 Aider |  Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.7/10 | 9.7/10 |
| Pricing | Free | Paid |
| Free version | ✓ Yes | No |
| Open source | ✓ Apache-2.0 | No |
| GitHub stars | ★ 28k | — |
| Partner deal | — | — |
Aider in short
AI pair programming in your terminal — edits real repos with git. It is completely free.
Claude Code in short
An agent that ships whole features from your terminal. It is a paid tool.
FAQ
Which is better, Aider or Claude Code?
Aider scores 8.7/10 and Claude Code scores 9.7/10 in our hands-on tests. Claude Code comes out ahead overall.
Is Aider free?
Yes, Aider has a real free version.
Is Claude Code free?
Claude Code is a paid tool; check current trials.
Can I try both for free?
Partially: Aider has a free version. Trials may cover the rest.
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