Overview
Aider and Amp are both AI Coding tools, but they take different approaches. Aider: Open-source AI pair programmer that edits code in your local git repo from the terminal, using your own model API keys. Amp: Sourcegraph's agentic coding tool for editor and CLI, designed for unconstrained frontier-model coding with usage-based credits.
Not every plan here is sold as a flat monthly price — check each official pricing page for current plans. Aider offers a free plan, while Amp does not.
Which one fits depends on your workflow and budget. The table below lines up the verified facts, and the interactive comparison lets you put Aider, Amp, and any other tool side by side.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aider | Amp | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free | See pricing |
| Free Plan | Yes | No |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Pricing Type | Freemium | Paid |
| Supported platforms | — | — |
| Web | — | — |
| Mobile | — | — |
| API | — | — |
| Categories | AI Coding | AI Coding |
At a glance
Aider: strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Completely free to use
Cons
Choose Aider if…
- you want to start on a free plan without paying
- your use case matches: AI pair programming in the terminal
Choose Amp if…
- your use case matches: frontier agentic coding tool
Alternatives worth considering
Other tools in the same category.
GitHub's AI pair programmer for code completion inside your editor.
Best for Autocomplete inside your existing editor
An AI-first code editor built for pair-programming with AI.
Best for AI-first coding as your primary editor
Cloud coding platform with an AI agent that can build and deploy apps.
Best for build an app without coding
AI-powered code editor with agentic coding workflows.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Aider or Amp?
At least one of them doesn't sell a flat monthly plan, so there's no single number to compare — check both official pricing pages.
Do Aider and Amp have free plans?
Aider offers a free plan; Amp does not.
Do Aider and Amp offer free trials?
Neither lists a free trial.
Which is better, Aider or Amp?
There's no single answer — it depends on your use case and budget. Compare the verified facts above, then open the interactive comparison to line Aider and Amp up with any other tools you're considering.
Can I use Aider and Amp together?
Yes — nothing stops you from using both, and many people combine tools for different tasks. Add Aider and Amp to the AI stack builder to see what the combination costs per month.
What are alternatives to Aider and Amp?
Popular alternatives include GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Replit, Windsurf, Lovable — each has its own detail page on ToolScanner with verified pricing.
Where can I verify current pricing for Aider and Amp?
On each official website — providers change prices and plans at any time. ToolScanner shows the monthly-billing price as of our last verification, with the date on each tool's page.