Every AI coding tool advertises a low headline price, then your real bill depends on seats, usage, and which tier you actually need. This free calculator shows what Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Codex, Windsurf, and open-source agents will actually cost your team per month, side by side, with the cheapest option for your usage highlighted.
| Tool | Recommended plan | Per seat / mo | Total / mo | Total / yr |
|---|
How the AI Coding Cost Calculator Works
The usage mapping reflects the real limit structures we documented: light users stay within entry-plan caps, daily users need mid tiers like Claude Max 5x, and all-day users need top tiers like Cursor Ultra or Claude Max 20x to avoid throttling. For the underlying limits, see our Claude usage limits guide and ChatGPT usage limits guide.
The Pricing Behind the Calculator
Cursor runs $20 per seat (Pro) or $200 (Ultra). Claude Code runs through Claude Pro at $20, Max 5x at $100, or Max 20x at $200. GitHub Copilot is the value pick at roughly $10 per seat, with Pro+ at $39 for heavy use. Codex is bundled with ChatGPT Plus ($20) or Pro ($200). Windsurf runs $20 (Pro) or $200 (Max). Open-source agents like Aider and Cline are free software where you pay only model API costs, often a few dollars to around $100 per developer depending on usage.
For full breakdowns, read our Claude Code pricing guide and our best AI coding tools roundup.
Which AI Coding Tool Is Cheapest?
There is no single cheapest tool, because price flips with usage and team size. That is the whole point of the calculator: enter your real numbers and let it rank the options for your situation rather than relying on a headline price.
How We Built and Source This Calculator
We built this calculator from published vendor pricing and documented usage limits as of June 2026. Plan recommendations per usage tier reflect each tool’s real caps so the comparison is apples to apples. Prices change frequently, so we stamp the data date and recommend confirming current rates on each vendor’s pricing page before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest AI coding tool?
For most light and daily use, GitHub Copilot is the cheapest premium tool at around $10 per seat per month, and open-source agents like Aider or Cline can cost even less if you manage your own API key. For all-day heavy use, the cheapest option depends on team size, which the calculator above computes for you.
How much do AI coding tools cost per developer?
Per developer, mainstream AI coding tools range from about $10 per month for GitHub Copilot to $20 for Cursor, Claude Pro, or Windsurf, up to $200 for top tiers like Cursor Ultra or Claude Max 20x. Open-source agents cost only model API fees, often a few dollars to around $100 depending on usage.
Is Claude Code or Cursor cheaper for a team?
At entry level both are $20 per seat, so they tie for light and daily use. For all-day heavy use, both top out around $200 per seat, but the limits differ. Use the calculator above with your seat count and usage to see the exact monthly difference for your team.
Can I use this calculator on my own website?
Yes. Use the embed code provided in the calculator to add it to your site for free. The embed includes a link back to DeployHyre, and we keep the pricing data updated so your embedded version stays current.
Are open-source AI coding tools really cheaper?
Often yes. Open-source agents like Aider and Cline are free software where you bring your own API key and pay only for model usage, which can be a few dollars per month for light use. They require more setup and cost monitoring than subscription tools, but the savings can be significant.