Amazon Q Developer Overview
Amazon Q Developer by Amazon Web Services is a cloud-based development tool designed to leverage the robust capabilities of Amazon Q and AWS Titan. It supports multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for a wide range of developers. With a context window of 200k tokens, it allows for extensive processing and inferencing tasks. The tool provides full terminal access and supports predictive edits with agentic editing across multiple files. Although it does not support local inference, it offers seamless migration capabilities and adheres to a standard privacy policy with SOC2 Type II certification for enterprise use.
Pros
- ✓ Cloud-based architecture
- ✓ Supports multiple operating systems
- ✓ Full terminal access
- ✓ Predictive edits and multi-file agentic editing
- ✓ Seamless migration
Cons
- ✕ No local inference capabilities
- ✕ No free tier available
- ✕ Pricing requires contacting sales
Gemini CLI Overview
Developed by Google, Gemini CLI is a standalone tool that offers powerful capabilities for developers working with Gemini 2.5 Pro and Gemini 2 language models. It operates across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms, providing flexibility and ease of use. With a context window of 1M tokens, Gemini CLI supports extensive data processing, while offering local inference capabilities. The tool includes full terminal access and supports predictive edits with multi-file agentic editing, making it a robust choice for complex development tasks. It also offers a free tier option, making it accessible to a broader range of users, with seamless migration options and adherence to a standard privacy policy.
Pros
- ✓ Standalone architecture
- ✓ Local inference capabilities
- ✓ 1M token context window
- ✓ Free tier available
- ✓ Seamless migration
Cons
- ✕ No custom model support
- ✕ Limited to Gemini language models
Comparison Table
| Feature | Amazon Q Developer | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | cloud | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Amazon Web Services | |
| Supported Llms | Amazon Q, AWS Titan | Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 2 |
| Custom Model | Amazon Q | – |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 1M tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Contact Sales | Free/Pro |
| Config File | .amazonqrc | GEMINI.md |
| Migration | Seamless | Seamless |
Conclusion
Both Amazon Q Developer and Gemini CLI offer distinct advantages depending on the developer’s needs. While Amazon Q Developer excels in cloud-based environments and supports custom models, Gemini CLI provides superior local inference capabilities and a generous context window. The choice between the two will largely depend on specific project requirements and budget considerations.