Tool profile · updated
goose
goose is ranked #7 of 15 for terminal coding agents on AI Tool Podium.
Our verdict
Free open-source AI agent (desktop app, CLI and API) that works with 15+ model providers; part of the Linux Foundation's Agentic AI Foundation.
Gemini CLI is now for business licenses only: what free users can switch to
goose fact sheet
Checked
- What it does
- General-purpose open-source AI agent that runs on your machine: install, execute, edit and test code, plus research, writing and automation. Desktop app for macOS, Linux and Windows, a CLI, and an API.Source: goose-docs.ai · checked
- Pricing
- Free and open source (Apache-2.0). You pay only your model provider, or use an existing Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini subscription via ACP.Source: github.com/aaif-goose/goose · checked
- Key features
- 15+ providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter
- 70+ documented MCP extensions
- Works as an ACP server for Zed, JetBrains and VS Code
- Recipes: shareable YAML workflows
- Subagents and prompt-injection detection
Facts come from goose's own site, docs or code repository, as publicly stated on the date shown. Prices and plans change, so check the source before you buy. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Alternatives in terminal coding agents
14 more- Gold, rank 1Visit
Terminal agent that is strong at multi-step changes across a codebase.
- Silver, rank 2Visit
Coding agent available in the CLI, IDE and cloud; good for parallel background tasks.
- Bronze, rank 3Visit
Google's terminal coding agent (agy) and the successor to Gemini CLI for individuals. Runs subagents in parallel on the same agent engine as the Antigravity app. Free Individual plan; Google AI Pro and Ultra raise limits.
- Rank 4VisitOpenCodeopencode.ai
Open-source coding agent with terminal, desktop and web clients on one shared local service; bring any model.
- Rank 5VisitFactory Droidfactory.com
Factory's coding agent, now at 1.0, with a terminal UI, a desktop app for macOS and Windows, an SDK, and cloud or local background agents. Paid plans start at $20 a month.
- Rank 6VisitAmpampcode.com
Coding agent and dev environment: run agents in cloud orbs that keep working after you close the laptop, or locally with the CLI. Free tier; Megawatt $20 a month.
- Rank 8VisitAideraider.chat
Open-source, git-native pair programmer that works with many models.
- Rank 9VisitGemini CLIgithub.com
Google's open-source (Apache 2.0) terminal agent, now for organizations on Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise and paid API keys. Free and Google AI Pro or Ultra access moved to Antigravity CLI on June 18, 2026.
- Rank 10VisitMirror CLIgithub.com
Reflection's open-source (Apache-2.0) terminal coding agent, in early beta. Runs parallel tasks in separate worktrees and defaults to Reflection's open-weight Beam model, with OpenAI, Anthropic and OpenRouter as options.
- Rank 11VisitGarudamadhu-sv.github.io
Free, open-source (Apache-2.0) terminal agent that runs commands in an OS sandbox and asks before edits; works with Claude, OpenRouter or local models.
- Rank 12VisitPraexpraex.ai
Terminal coding agent built on a fork of OpenCode (MIT) that runs on Praex's own hosted models: Velox II free every day, Faber II on the $20/month Pro plan, or bring your own keys. Desktop app and web chat too; new and early.
- Rank 13VisitCrooai.crooli.com
Small, free, MIT-licensed coding agent that is now a Mac app as well as a terminal tool. Sign in with your Claude or ChatGPT plan, paste an API key, or run a local model, and every edit and command waits for your OK. Apple Silicon only for the app, and still young.
- Rank 14Visitfxfx.sh
Vercel Labs' open-source (Apache-2.0) terminal agent shipped as one small native binary for macOS and Linux. Bring a ChatGPT or Grok subscription, Vercel AI Gateway, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint such as Ollama. Experimental and pre-1.0, so use with care.
- Rank 15VisitOrbiorbi.build
GitHub App that turns a labeled issue into an independently reviewed, merged pull request and, when you ask, a tagged release. Not a terminal tool; open source (AGPL-3.0) and self-hostable, with a hosted Cloud plan.
Related comparisons
All comparisonsQuestions
Frequently asked
What is goose?
Free open-source AI agent (desktop app, CLI and API) that works with 15+ model providers; part of the Linux Foundation's Agentic AI Foundation.
How much does goose cost?
Free and open source (Apache-2.0). You pay only your model provider, or use an existing Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini subscription via ACP. Source: https://github.com/aaif-goose/goose, checked 2026-11-10.
Where does goose rank?
goose is ranked #7 of 15 for terminal coding agents on AI Tool Podium. Ranking last updated 2026-11-10.
What are the alternatives to goose?
Other tools in our terminal coding agents ranking: Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, Antigravity CLI, OpenCode, Factory Droid, Amp, Aider, Gemini CLI, Mirror CLI, Garuda, Praex, Croo, fx, Orbi.
Where is the official goose website?
The official site is https://goose-docs.ai
Is this your tool?
Build goose? Keep this page accurate
If anything on this page is out of date, send us a correction. It is free. We check every change against an official source before we publish it. Paid options below are optional and never change where goose ranks.
A Spotlight is a short card at the top of New releases for 30 days, labeled Sponsored. $49 until Nov 16 at 11:59 PM Pacific, normally $79. A Featured Listing is a Sponsored row at the top of one use-case page, billed monthly, cancel anytime.
For the goose team
Show your ranking
Add this badge to your site or README. It is free, shows the current rank and links back to this page. How the badge works. Want more visibility? Feature goose with a sponsored listing.
Other use cases