Claude Code Overview
Claude Code is a standalone tool developed by Anthropic, designed to operate on macOS. It supports the Claude 4.5 and Claude Sonnet 4.5 language models, providing a substantial context window of over 400,000 tokens. Despite its impressive capabilities, it does not offer local inference, but allows for multi-file agentic editing with full terminal access. The Zero Data Retention (ZDR) privacy mode ensures user data remains private and secure. It requires a configuration file (.clauderc) and the migration process involves some setup. With a free tier available, the pricing ranges from $0 to $200 per month. The tool is certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise-level security.
Pros
- ✓ Supports Claude 4.5 and Claude Sonnet 4.5.
- ✓ Zero Data Retention (ZDR) for enhanced privacy.
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification.
- ✓ Free tier available.
Cons
- ✕ Only supports macOS.
- ✕ No local inference available.
- ✕ Migration requires setup.
Gemini CLI Overview
Gemini CLI, developed by Google, is a versatile tool available on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. It supports the Gemini 2.5 Pro and Gemini 2 language models, boasting an impressive context window of 1 million tokens and local inference capabilities. The tool also offers multi-file agentic editing and full terminal access, with predictive edits enhancing functionality. While adhering to a standard privacy policy, Gemini CLI is certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise use. It provides a seamless migration experience with a free tier and a Pro pricing model. The configuration file is GEMINI.md.
Pros
- ✓ Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- ✓ Local inference capabilities.
- ✓ Predictive edits feature.
- ✓ Seamless migration process.
Cons
- ✕ Standard privacy policy, not Zero Data Retention.
- ✕ Complex configuration file (GEMINI.md).
Comparison Table
| Feature | Claude Code | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | standalone |
| Supported Os | macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Anthropic | |
| Supported Llms | Claude 4.5, Claude Sonnet 4.5 | Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 2 |
| Context Window | 400,000+ tokens | 1M tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | $0 – $200/mo | Free/Pro |
| Config File | .clauderc | GEMINI.md |
| Migration | Requires setup | Seamless |
Conclusion
Both Claude Code and Gemini CLI offer robust features tailored to different user needs. Claude Code prioritizes privacy with its Zero Data Retention mode, while Gemini CLI excels with platform versatility and local inference. The choice between them depends on your specific requirements for privacy, platform compatibility, and ease of migration.