Kilo Code vs Kiro (2026)
Updated April 29, 2026
Overview
Kilo Code is an open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, and the CLI with 500+ models at zero markup. Compare its pricing, pros and cons.
Kiro is AWS's agentic coding tool, with an IDE, CLI, and web app that turn prompts into specs, designs, and task lists before writing the code.
Key features
Core capabilities each platform advertises.
- VS Code, JetBrains, and CLI
- Ask, Architect, Code, Debug, and custom modes
- 500+ models through Kilo Gateway, BYOK, or local models
- Code completion and generation
- Spec-driven development: requirements, design, and task lists before code
- Hooks that run tasks like tests and doc updates in the background
- Steering files shared across IDE, CLI, and web
- Models from Anthropic, OpenAI, and open-weight providers, plus Auto mode
Strengths and tradeoffs
What each tool does well, and the limitations to keep in mind.
Pros
- Free and open source under MIT
- No markup on model usage
- 500+ models, including BYOK and local
- Same agent across VS Code, JetBrains, and the CLI
Cons
- 5% processing fee on credit purchases
- Now owned by Anaconda, with product integration details still to come
- Audit logs, SSO, and SCIM are Enterprise only
Pros
- Free plan with 50 credits a month
- Spec-driven workflow produces requirements and designs, not just code
- Choice of Claude, GPT, and open-weight models, with Auto mode
- Available as an IDE, CLI, web app, and mobile app
Cons
- Credit multipliers vary by model, so cost per task can be hard to predict
- Unused monthly credits don't roll over
- Free plan is limited to open-weight models and Claude Sonnet 4.5 with rate limits
- Enterprise sign-in runs through AWS IAM Identity Center
What people are saying
Brilliant coding assistant — works great for both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs with access to many providers.
Read full reviewKilo Code or Kiro — which should you choose?
Choose Kilo Code if you wantChoose if you want
- Multi-step refactors across an existing codebase
- BYOK coding with no provider markup
- Standardizing one agent across VS Code and JetBrains
- Private coding workflows with local models
Choose Kiro if you wantChoose if you want
- Planning a new feature as a spec before any code is written
- Running background checks like unit tests on every change
- Working across an IDE, terminal, and browser with shared project rules
- Rolling out an AI coding tool to teams already on AWS
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