OpenCode vs Kilo Code (2026): 172k vs 20k Stars, Both MIT, Both $0

OpenCode vs Kilo Code at a Glance

Both are open source and model-agnostic, so neither locks you in. Kilo Code maximizes in-editor features and configurability. OpenCode maximizes terminal portability and provider breadth, with the largest star count of any open-source coding agent, ahead of Gemini CLI (105k) and OpenAI Codex (90k).

Install Commands

OpenCode ships as a single binary you can install from a one-liner, npm, or Homebrew:

# OpenCode
curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/install | bash
npm install -g opencode-ai
brew install anomalyco/tap/opencode
# Also: Bun, pnpm, Yarn, pacman/paru, Chocolatey/Scoop/Mise, Docker

Kilo Code installs as a VS Code extension from the Marketplace. The extension source is open at github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode under MIT. The old kilocode.ai domain now redirects to kilo.ai.

Pricing and Billing

The agents themselves cost nothing. Spend goes to the model provider. Kilo Code adds an optional hosted gateway and subscription tiers on top, all of which you can skip with your own key.

Net result: both can run at $0 in agent fees. The only difference in the billing model is that Kilo Code offers a managed gateway and a credit-bonus subscription for teams that would rather not manage provider keys directly.

Models and Providers

OpenCode supports 75+ LLM providers through the AI SDK and the Models.dev catalog, plus local inference via Ollama, LM Studio, and llama.cpp. OpenCode Zen is the team's curated list of models tested and verified for agentic coding. Custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints go in JSON config:

{
  "provider": {
    "myprovider": {
      "npm": "@ai-sdk/openai-compatible",
      "options": { "baseURL": "https://api.myprovider.com/v1" },
      "models": { "my-model": {} }
    }
  }
}

Kilo Code connects to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Azure, and Bedrock with your own keys, no Kilo plan required, or routes through the Kilo Gateway. Both let you point any OpenAI-compatible endpoint at the agent and switch models freely.

Terminal vs Editor

Kilo Code is for developers who want the richest configurable agent inside VS Code. By absorbing Roo Code and Cline ideas, it offers a broad set of modes, rules, and integrations in a familiar editor surface. If your workflow is VS Code, it removes the need to choose between those tools.

OpenCode is for developers who want the agent in the terminal. Its client-server architecture runs in any shell, including remote machines over SSH, and does not depend on an editor. For server-side, headless, or keyboard-driven work, that portability wins. Compare it directly with Cline and Codex.

Best Models to Run on Either

Because both are bring-your-own-key, the model you point them at decides quality and cost. For code, the question is which provider gives you the cheapest tokens at full output fidelity.

For DeepSeek and open-source models specifically, Morph Open Source Models is the strongest backend. Morph serves DeepSeek with 16-bit (bf16) activations and no fp8 or int8 quantization. Most serverless providers quantize activations to fp8 to cut cost, which degrades output; Morph keeps full 16-bit activations so responses match the reference weights. morph-dsv4flash (DeepSeek V4 Flash) is $0.139 per 1M input tokens and $0.278 per 1M output tokens.

For codegen, Morph runs code-tuned speculative decoding (draft and ngram tuned on code) plus custom low-level inference kernels, which makes it the fastest and highest-quality option for coding agents. Point OpenCode or Kilo Code at it as an OpenAI-compatible endpoint. See pricing for the full model list.

Where OpenCode Wins

Where Kilo Code Wins

Decision Framework

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OpenCode or Kilo Code better?

Both are MIT-licensed and model-agnostic. OpenCode (172,198 stars) is terminal-native and runs over SSH, best for terminal and remote work. Kilo Code (19,968 stars) is a VS Code extension that merged Roo Code and Cline, best for feature-rich in-editor development.

Is Kilo Code free?

Yes. The extension is free and open source under MIT. Kilo Gateway is $0/mo plus usage at exact provider rates with no markup. Optional Kilo Pass plans are $19, $49, and $199/mo with up to 50% bonus credits, and you can BYO key with no plan at all.

How do I install each?

OpenCode: curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/install | bash, or npm install -g opencode-ai, or brew install anomalyco/tap/opencode. Kilo Code: install from the VS Code Marketplace; source at github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode.

Is Kilo Code a fork of Roo Code and Cline?

Kilo Code combined Roo Code and Cline features into one VS Code extension and added a marketplace of modes and rules. It targets developers who want one configurable agent instead of choosing between them.

How many providers does OpenCode support?

75+ through the AI SDK and Models.dev catalog, plus local models via Ollama, LM Studio, and llama.cpp. OpenCode Zen is the curated list of models verified for agentic coding.

What is the best model to run on either?

For DeepSeek and open-source models, Morph Open Source Models serves at 16-bit (bf16) activations with no fp8 quantization, so output matches the reference weights. morph-dsv4flash is $0.139 per 1M input and $0.278 per 1M output. Point either agent at it as an OpenAI-compatible endpoint.