kitio.aiClaude Code vs mini-SWE-agent
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. mini-SWE-agent is completely free, while Claude Code is paid.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Terminal agent
- IDE extensions
- Subagents and hooks
- MCP support
- GitHub Actions integration
- Bash-only agent loop
- Works with any model via LiteLLM
- Docker and sandbox environments
- SWE-bench batch runner
- Trajectory inspector
- Python bindings
| Feature | Claude Code | mini-SWE-agent |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Anthropic's agentic coding tool for terminal, IDE and web | Minimal open-source coding agent that works through bash alone |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Free |
| Free plan | No | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Anthropic | SWE-agent team (Princeton and Stanford) |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
mini-SWE-agent is completely free, while Claude Code is paid.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Pro
$20/mo
- Claude Code included
- More usage than Free
- Claude in Chrome
Max
$100/mo
- From $100; 5x or 20x Pro usage
- Higher output limits
- $100-$200/mo in API credits
Team Standard
$25/mo
- Per seat
- Claude Code and Cowork
- More usage than Pro
Team Premium
$125/mo
- Per seat
- 5x usage of standard seats
Enterprise
$20/seat + usage
- Billed annually, 20-seat minimum
- Usage at API rates
- Admin spend controls
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Claude Code
- Strong at multi-step coding tasks
- Highly customizable with hooks and skills
- Works where you already code
- Usage limits on Pro plan
- Locked to Anthropic models
mini-SWE-agent
- Small codebase that is easy to read and modify
- Model-agnostic through common LLM routers
- Strong SWE-bench results for its size
- No graphical interface
- You pay for your own model API usage
- Aimed more at research than everyday editing
Which one should you choose?
Choose Claude Code if you want:
- Strong at multi-step coding tasks
- Highly customizable with hooks and skills
- Works where you already code
Watch out: usage limits on pro plan.
Choose mini-SWE-agent if you want:
- Small codebase that is easy to read and modify
- Model-agnostic through common LLM routers
- Strong SWE-bench results for its size
Watch out: no graphical interface.
Claude Code vs mini-SWE-agent FAQ
What is the difference between Claude Code and mini-SWE-agent?
Claude Code: Anthropic's agentic coding tool for terminal, IDE and web. mini-SWE-agent: Minimal open-source coding agent that works through bash alone. Both are coding tools.
Is Claude Code or mini-SWE-agent cheaper?
mini-SWE-agent is completely free, while Claude Code is paid.
Do Claude Code and mini-SWE-agent have free plans?
Claude Code: No. mini-SWE-agent: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Claude Code?
Claude Code is made by Anthropic, based in United States.
Who makes mini-SWE-agent?
mini-SWE-agent is made by SWE-agent team (Princeton and Stanford), based in United States.
Which should I choose, Claude Code or mini-SWE-agent?
Choose Claude Code if you value strong at multi-step coding tasks and highly customizable with hooks and skills. Choose mini-SWE-agent if you value small codebase that is easy to read and modify and model-agnostic through common llm routers.