Coding tools · checked 2026-09-12
Coding agent comparison: choose a workflow that fits
Choose by execution environment, review workflow and usage limits. The tools below can help with code; the right first trial depends on your project and how you want to supervise changes.
Written by Drevin’s maker. This is a comparison of documented capabilities, not an independent ranking or a head-to-head benchmark. Official sources were checked on 2026-09-12. Prices and access can change; verify the linked offer before buying.
| Tool | Environment and work | Review and limits | Price and sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drevin | Windows, 64-bit; local projects. Small coding tasks, local commands and reviewable changes. | Inspect the diff and command output; human review is required. Usage limits for the planned Basic, Power User and Ultimate subscriptions have not been confirmed. Model availability and task capacity are subject to the account and service limits; access is not unlimited. | Basic: $29 USD/month (planned); Power User: $69 USD/month (planned); Ultimate: $200 USD/month (planned). Paid plans are not open yet. The prices below are planned monthly subscriptions, not offers you can buy today. Official capability source · Pricing source · 2026-09-12 |
| Devin | Cloud workspaces and a local terminal client. Delegate repository tasks and follow their progress in an IDE. | Documented code execution, testing and pull-request workflows. Configure the repository environment and define verifiable completion criteria. | See the current Individual and Teams offers on the official pricing page. Official capability source · Pricing source · 2026-09-12 |
| Cursor | Editor, CLI and cloud-agent workflows. Interactive changes in a codebase, with agent tools and review. | Agent review is documented; check the changed code and project tests. A subscription price is not an unlimited task budget. | Pro: $20/month. Included model usage is limited; on-demand usage can add charges. Official capability source · Pricing source · 2026-09-12 |
| GitHub Copilot | GitHub cloud agent plus editor and CLI surfaces. Repository tasks and pull requests in a GitHub workflow. | Cloud-agent changes can be reviewed through pull requests. Check repository access, account eligibility and credit limits. | Pro: $10 per user/month. Agent work consumes included AI credits; additional usage has separate conditions. Official capability source · Pricing source · 2026-09-12 |
| Claude Code | Terminal and other supported Claude Code surfaces. Read a codebase, edit files and run commands from coding instructions. | Inspect file changes and the output of requested test commands. Confirm account access and usage limits for the selected authentication method. | Claude Pro: $20 billed monthly, includes Claude Code. Usage limits apply; API billing is a separate route. Official capability source · Pricing source · 2026-09-12 |
| OpenAI Codex | The CLI works with a local directory; other Codex surfaces have their own setup. Read, change and run code using a coding-agent session. | Review the produced diff and run the project checks. Account limits, permissions and the chosen execution environment affect the workflow. | Check current ChatGPT plan inclusion or API billing; no price equivalence with another agent is assumed here. Official capability source · Pricing source · 2026-09-12 |
Which should you try?
Joe — a side project after work
Try a local desktop or editor workflow if you want to inspect changes immediately. Try a cloud workflow if you want to delegate a prepared repository task. Setup time matters as much as the first generated diff.
Mike — choosing a coding tool
Compare review effort and completed tasks within the usage allowance. Test two candidates on the same bug; a lower monthly entry price does not establish a lower cost per accepted change.
Bob — a first coding project
Start with a small command-line program, ask for an explanation and run it yourself. Choose a tool you can install and understand, and get help reviewing unfamiliar commands.
A fair first coding task
Pick a small bug in a project you can share. Save the starting commit and an acceptance test before the run. Give each tool the same task and time budget. Keep the full diff, test output, failures, elapsed time and human interventions. Do not let an agent weaken the acceptance test. No comparative run is claimed on this page.
Questions before choosing
Which tool is best?
This page does not establish a universal winner. Use your own acceptance test, review burden and account budget to decide.
Can I buy Drevin today?
Paid plans are not open yet. The prices below are planned monthly subscriptions, not offers you can buy today. Read all planned prices and limits.
Where can I read more?
General comparison · Drevin–Devin comparison · Under $30 · Drevin FAQ
This release is unsigned and Windows may show a SmartScreen warning. Verify the download source before deciding whether to install it.