Gemini CLI 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 Gemini CLI is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Terminal coding agent
- Large codebase editing
- Apps from images or PDFs
- Extensions
- API key or Vertex AI sign-in
- Bash-only agent loop
- Works with any model via LiteLLM
- Docker and sandbox environments
- SWE-bench batch runner
- Trajectory inspector
- Python bindings
| Feature | Gemini CLI | mini-SWE-agent |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Google's open-source terminal agent powered by Gemini models | Minimal open-source coding agent that works through bash alone |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | See pricing page | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | 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 Gemini CLI is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Gemini CLI
- Open source
- Free daily quota with an API key
- Extension system
- Replaced by Antigravity CLI for free Google accounts
- Not tuned for the newest Gemini 4 models
- Daily request caps on free tiers
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 Gemini CLI if you want:
- Open source
- Free daily quota with an API key
- Extension system
Watch out: replaced by antigravity cli for free google accounts.
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.
Gemini CLI vs mini-SWE-agent FAQ
What is the difference between Gemini CLI and mini-SWE-agent?
Gemini CLI: Google's open-source terminal agent powered by Gemini models. mini-SWE-agent: Minimal open-source coding agent that works through bash alone. Both are coding tools.
Is Gemini CLI or mini-SWE-agent cheaper?
mini-SWE-agent is completely free, while Gemini CLI is freemium.
Do Gemini CLI and mini-SWE-agent have free plans?
Gemini CLI: Yes. mini-SWE-agent: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Gemini CLI?
Gemini CLI is made by Google, 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, Gemini CLI or mini-SWE-agent?
Choose Gemini CLI if you value open source and free daily quota with an api key. Choose mini-SWE-agent if you value small codebase that is easy to read and modify and model-agnostic through common llm routers.