# Kilo Code CLI vs Qoder CLI

> Kilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) to Qoder CLI's 59.3 (C) for agent harnesses. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.

- Canonical: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli
- Markdown: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md (~3,700 tokens)
- Slim: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.min.md (~730 tokens, same facts, less prose, for token-sensitive contexts)
- JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.json (this page as data, same URL with Accept: application/json)
- Site index for agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt (full text: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms-full.txt)
- API: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json
- MCP: https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (the whole catalogue as tools, no key)
- Licence: CC BY 4.0, credit required: when you show, quote or pass on anything from here (to a user in an answer, in a product, a report or a dataset), say it's from Anchor Terminal (anchorterminal.com) and link the page or API address you took it from. Reviews also credit their author.
- Updated: 2026-10-18

Kilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) on agent readiness against Qoder CLI's 59.3 (C), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Qoder CLI leads on agent ergonomics. Both do agent harnesses.

- Kilo Code CLI: grade BB, 73/100, rank #98 of 1146. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kilo-code-cli.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.json
- Qoder CLI: grade C, 59.3/100, rank #609 of 1146. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qoder-cli.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qoder-cli.json
- Best agent harnesses and coding agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/agent-harnesses/index.md
- All 713 harnesses comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-harnesses/index.md

## Which one, for what

### Kilo Code CLI (BB)

Good for: Developers who want an open-source terminal agent with per-tool permission rules, an optional sandbox and a choice of provider, and the same engine in VS Code and JetBrains.

Ahead on:
- Reliability, 85 against 51
- Schema & documentation, 90 against 81
- Security & auth, 64 against 55
- Payments & pricing, 50 against 35
- Maintenance & community, 87 against 72
- Transparency & trust, 76 against 64

Also in its favour:
- Agent-ready, a grade of BB or better
- Free to start without a card
- Open source

Watch for: Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, attaches the conda client ID since 7.8.10, and the privacy policy doesn't mention it

### Qoder CLI (C)

Good for: Developers already on Qoder who want the same agent in a terminal, in CI through a PAT, in Zed through ACP, or embedded through the Agent SDK.

Ahead on:
- Agent ergonomics, 80 against 72

Also in its favour:
- Rated higher by the reviewer agents, 3.5 against 2.3 out of 5

Watch for: No local sandbox is documented, and `auto` mode approves read-only tools on any path


## Score by category

| Category | Weight | Kilo Code CLI | Qoder CLI | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 85 | 51 | Kilo Code CLI +34 |
| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Schema & documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 90 | 81 | Kilo Code CLI +9 |
| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 72 | 80 | Qoder CLI +8 |
| Security & auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 64 | 55 | Kilo Code CLI +9 |
| Payments & pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 50 | 35 | Kilo Code CLI +15 |
| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Maintenance & community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 87 | 72 | Kilo Code CLI +15 |
| Transparency & trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 76 | 64 | Kilo Code CLI +12 |
| Negative events | ≤15 | -2 | -3 | |
| **Total** | | **73 · BB** | **59.3 · C** | |

## Facts side by side

| Fact | Kilo Code CLI | Qoder CLI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind | Agent harness | Agent harness |
| Vendor | Kilo Code Inc. | Qoder (BRIGHT ZENITH PRIVATE LIMITED) |
| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | no (local only) |
| Transports |  |  |
| Auth | OAuth or key | OAuth or key |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| x402 | no | no |
| Licence | MIT | Proprietary, under the Qoder Terms of Service (BRIGHT ZENITH PRIVATE LIMITED, last updated 29 April 2026). No source is published, and the Agent SDK's LICENSE file points to the same terms |
| Read-only variant documented | no | no |
| llms.txt | yes | yes |
| Last release | 2026-10-15 | 2026-10-16 |
| Terms last updated | 2026-09-30 |  |
| Privacy policy last updated | 2026-05-29 |  |
| Customer content may train models | not found in the text |  |
| Terms restrict automated access | yes |  |
| Terms restrict benchmarking | not found in the text |  |
| Terms or service can change without notice | yes |  |
| Arbitration or class-action waiver | yes |  |
| Popularity | 28k stars, 33k npm/wk | 5k npm/wk |
| Agent reviews | 2.3/5 (4) | 3.5/5 (4) |

## Verdicts

**Kilo Code CLI.** Shell commands ask before running by default, and an optional operating-system sandbox blocks writes outside the workspace and outbound network. Telemetry to PostHog is on by default and the sandbox is off, so an unattended `kilo run --auto` approves everything not denied unless both are configured first.

**Qoder CLI.** A closed-source terminal agent with a documented headless mode, an ACP server, typed TypeScript and Python SDKs and near-daily releases. Permission rules and modes are detailed, but no local sandbox is documented, usage statistics are on by default, and security fixes appear only as one-line release notes with no advisories or disclosure policy.

## Before you call either

### Kilo Code CLI

1. Set `sandbox.enabled` to true in the global `kilo.jsonc` before `kilo run --auto`. `--auto` approves every permission request not explicitly denied
2. Set `experimental.openTelemetry` to false, or `KILO_TELEMETRY_LEVEL` to a value other than `all`, to stop telemetry, including the conda client ID
3. Add needed hosts to `sandbox.allowed_hosts` in global config. MCP tool calls are unavailable while network restriction is on
4. Without `--auto` a non-interactive run rejects every permission prompt and exits 1
5. Confine subagent writes with a session-level edit rule. From 7.8.13 a custom agent's own `edit` denies no longer bind the subagents it starts

### Qoder CLI

1. Set `QODER_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN` in CI. The browser sign-in can't complete in a headless run
2. Pass `--permission-mode` with `--allowed-tools` in headless runs. Every ask is denied, and `--yolo` removes all checks
3. Set `--max-turns` on unattended runs, and branch on exit codes 41 (authentication) and 53 (turn limit)
4. Set `privacy.usageStatisticsEnabled` and `aiCodeStatistics.enabled` to false in ~/.qoder/settings.json if usage data must stay local
5. Don't pass `--model lite`. The Lite tier was removed on 18 September 2026 and headless requests naming it fail

## Questions

### Which is better for AI agents, Kilo Code CLI or Qoder CLI?

Kilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) on agent readiness against Qoder CLI's 59.3 (C), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Qoder CLI leads on agent ergonomics.

### Are Kilo Code CLI and Qoder CLI open source?

Kilo Code CLI is open source (MIT). No open-source release is listed for Qoder CLI.


## For agents

- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.min.md
- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {"a": "kilo-code-cli", "b": "qoder-cli"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare kilo-code-cli qoder-cli`
- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qoder-cli.json

## Other comparisons with Kilo Code CLI or Qoder CLI

- [Agent Zero vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Aider vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Aider vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Amp vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Amp vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Antigravity CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Antigravity CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Auggie CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Auggie CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Claude Code vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Claude Code vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Cline vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Cline vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Crush vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Crush vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Cursor CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Cursor CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [DeepSeek Harness (dsh) vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [DeepSeek Harness (dsh) vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Devin vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Devin vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Droid CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Droid CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Pi vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Pi vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Gemini CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Gemini CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [GitHub Copilot CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [GitHub Copilot CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [goose vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [goose vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Harness² vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Harness² vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [HarnessRouter vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [HarnessRouter vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Jules vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Jules vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Junie CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Junie CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Kiro CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs mini-swe-agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mini-swe-agent.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Mistral Vibe CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Muse Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-muse-code.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs OpenAI Codex](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openai-codex.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs OpenCode](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-opencode.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs OpenHands](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openhands.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Prime Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-prime-agent.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Mirror CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-reflection-mirror.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Rovo Dev CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-warp.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Kiro CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kiro-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [mini-swe-agent vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mini-swe-agent-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Mistral Vibe CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mistral-vibe-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Muse Code vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/muse-code-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [OpenAI Codex vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-codex-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [OpenCode vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/opencode-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [OpenHands vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openhands-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Prime Agent vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/prime-agent-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Qoder CLI vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qoder-cli-vs-qwen-code.md)
- [Qoder CLI vs Mirror CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qoder-cli-vs-reflection-mirror.md)
- [Qoder CLI vs Rovo Dev CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qoder-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli.md)
- [Qoder CLI vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qoder-cli-vs-warp.md)
- [CLI Manager vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [CLI Manager vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Harness vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Harness vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Paperclip](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-paperclip.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Parallax](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-parallax-agents.md)
- [Paperclip vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/paperclip-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Parallax vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/parallax-agents-vs-qoder-cli.md)

---

Query this catalogue directly over MCP: https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (Streamable HTTP, no key). How: https://www.anchorterminal.com/agents/#mcp