A side-by-side of two tools in the same category. Facts come from each vendor's own pages, checked 2026-10-28.
Aider is a git-centred pair programmer that edits files through a model and commits each change. OpenCode is a broader agent with plan and build modes, subagents and a server mode. Both accept your own keys and local models.
Where they differ
Licence. Aider uses Apache-2.0, and OpenCode uses MIT.
Workflow. Aider makes every edit a git commit and builds a repo map. OpenCode has a read-only plan agent, a build agent and a general subagent for parallel work.
Features. We found no MCP client or subagent system in Aider, and no documented sandbox or approval layer. OpenCode supports MCP servers and documents allow, ask and deny permissions.
Activity. Aider's last GitHub release, v0.86.0, is from August 2025, and its last commit on main is from May 2026. OpenCode shipped v2.2.0 in late October 2026 but has about 3,870 open issues.
Which fits
Pick Aider if you want a simple git-first loop that you can script with --message.
Pick OpenCode if you need MCP, subagents or a headless server and accept two major version lines.