Darce vs OpenCode
Updated October 2026
OpenCode and Darce are both open source, terminal-first AI coding agents that work with models from many vendors. The differences are mostly in how you pay for models and how much the tool guards your machine.
Facts about OpenCode are as of October 2026 and based on its public documentation; check its docs for the latest.
At a glance
| Darce | OpenCode | |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Models | 250+ via OpenRouter, no provider keys needed | Many providers; bring your own keys or subscriptions, local models supported |
| How you pay | Free tier, or $15 / $65 per month plans with usage allowances | Free tool; you pay your model providers |
| Try without an account | Yes, a free trial | Needs a provider key, a supported subscription, or a free model |
| Undo | /undo, /rewind: snapshots before every step, shell commands included | /undo and /redo with working-tree snapshots around each model step |
| Risky commands | Scored per command; risky ones ask with the reason; classifier checks scripts | Configurable permissions per tool |
| Parallel work | /swarm across git worktrees, /derby model races | Multiple sessions and agents |
| Interface | Terminal UI | Terminal UI, with other front ends available |
Who OpenCode is for
OpenCode is a strong choice if you already have API keys or subscriptions with several providers, want to run local models, or want a highly configurable agent with a large community. Because you bring your own providers, you pay them directly at their rates.
Who Darce is for
Darce suits you if you'd rather not manage provider keys and billing across vendors: one plan covers 250+ models, and you can start with zero setup via npx darce-cli. It also leans harder on safety: every command is risk-scored, scripts get a second look, effects that can't be undone ask first, and /undo covers what shell commands did.
Features only one of them has
- Darce:
/derbyraces three models on one task in separate worktrees so you can compare diffs and cost;/swarmsplits a task across parallel agents and merges back in one step; a cross-vendor/criticreviews every edit; WHY notes explain non-obvious changes. - OpenCode: direct use of your own provider accounts and local models, plus a client/server design that powers several front ends.
Bottom line
Both are open source and multi-model. Pick OpenCode for maximum control over providers and local models. Pick Darce for zero-setup access to 250+ models, model races, parallel swarms, and risk-scored approvals that ask before anything it can't undo.
Next: Getting started · Model directory · Claude Code alternative