AI coding assistants · Tool review
opencode pricing, free software with a pay-per-request model gateway
Updated 2026-09-30 · markdown mirror
Verdict
opencode costs nothing to install or run, the agent is free and open source and connects to any of 75+ model providers you bring yourself. The only place money changes hands is Zen, the optional model gateway, which bills per request at provider rates with a markup the vendor limits to processing fees. If you already hold model keys or a ChatGPT or Copilot subscription, your total opencode bill can stay at zero.
| Tier | Price | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted | $0/mo Documented at the source Checked 2026-09-24 opencode.ai /docs/zen/ Free and open source, bring your own provider keys; the optional Zen gateway is pay per request at provider rates | 2026-09-24 | opencode.ai |
● tested by us · ● documented at the source · ● unconfirmed, queued in /confirm.txt — hover or tap a dot for the source and date
What it is
opencode is an open-source coding agent that runs in the terminal, an IDE extension, or a desktop app, and connects to any model you point it at. The vendor claims 208,000 GitHub stars and 16 million monthly developers [2]. This page covers its pricing only.
The price ladder
Every line verified 30 September 2026 [1][2]:
| Thing | Price | How it bills |
|---|---|---|
| The agent, self-hosted | $0 | None, free and open source |
| Your own model providers | Provider rates | Billed by each provider |
| ChatGPT Plus/Pro or Copilot login | Your existing subscription | Billed by OpenAI or GitHub |
| Zen gateway | Per request | Prepaid credits at provider rates, processing-fee markup |
| Zen team workspace | $0 in beta | Team pricing announced later |
Zen, the only till
Zen exists because the same model behaves differently through different providers, and the team benchmarks the combinations it recommends [1]. Billing is per request against prepaid credits, and the stated commercial position is at-cost, with price drops passed through and the only markup covering processing fees [1]. Bring your own key and the tokens bill directly with OpenAI or Anthropic instead, which keeps Zen honest as a price comparison. The lock-in question answers itself, the agent runs without Zen and Zen runs with other agents [1].
Don’t pay for it if
You already have keys, because the agent routes around them for free. The bill only appears when you choose Zen for its benchmarked provider lineup, and then it scales with tokens rather than seats, which is the right shape for spiky personal use and the wrong one for a fixed monthly budget.
FAQ
How much does opencode cost?
The agent itself is free and open source, and connecting your own model providers costs nothing beyond what those providers charge. The optional Zen gateway bills per request against prepaid credits, at rates the vendor sells at cost so the only markup covers processing fees. Verified 30 September 2026 [1].
Is opencode really free?
Yes. The software is free and open source, it works with 75+ LLM providers through Models.dev including local models, and none of that needs a subscription. OpenCode Zen is explicitly optional and you do not need it to use opencode. Verified 30 September 2026 [1][2].
What is OpenCode Zen?
A curated gateway of models the opencode team has tested and benchmarked for coding agents, served through verified providers. You sign in, add billing details, and are charged per request against credits you add to your account. The vendor states it sells at cost, passes price drops through, and keeps you free to use any other provider. Verified 30 September 2026 [1].
Can I use my own API keys or subscriptions with opencode?
Yes on all three counts. opencode logs in with GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT Plus and Pro accounts, runs any of 75+ providers through Models.dev, and Zen accepts your own OpenAI or Anthropic keys with those tokens billed directly by the provider rather than by Zen. Verified 30 September 2026 [1][2].
Is there a paid opencode plan for teams?
Zen team workspaces let you invite teammates, assign admin and member roles, set monthly spending limits per member, and disable specific models. Managing a workspace is currently free during the beta and the vendor says pricing details are coming. Verified 30 September 2026 [1].
Sources
- OpenCode Zen documentation — Vendor docs stating Zen is optional and billed per request against credits, sold at cost with only a processing-fee markup, bring your own key billed by the provider, team workspaces free in beta with pricing to come, verified 2026-09-30
- opencode homepage — Vendor homepage stating the agent is free and open source with 75+ LLM providers through Models.dev, GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT Plus or Pro logins, 208,000 GitHub stars and 16 million monthly developers, verified 2026-09-30
Numbered markers in the text refer to this list. External sources are cited, not affiliated.