Clave vs Zed

Clave is a free, open-source desktop app for running coding-agent sessions in tabs, groups, and project workspaces. It supports Claude Code, Codex, Antigravity, Pi, plain terminals, and remote agents over OpenClaw. Claude Code and Codex can use a chat view with rendered answers, grouped tool calls, attachments, and model selection. Groups retain sessions, folders, saved terminals, and prompts, while workspace files can act as project templates. A side panel combines a file tree, editors, HTML preview, and git tools for diffs, history, and one-click sync. Its MCP server provides twenty-three tools for tab and group management, file opening, and messaging. Clave runs locally without an account or cloud backend, with remote access through SSH and SFTP. macOS supports Apple Silicon and Intel; the early Windows build has stated limitations. The app is MIT-licensed and costs nothing.

Zed is a code editor for macOS, Windows, and Linux, with Personal, Pro, and Business plans. Personal is free forever and includes 2,000 accepted edit predictions; it also allows unlimited use with API keys or external agents. Pro costs $10.00 per month, includes unlimited edit predictions and $5 of tokens, and bills usage beyond that allowance at API list price plus 10%. The Pro trial lasts 14 days or until its $5 balance is used, with no credit card required. Editing tools include extensions, multi-cursor and column editing, and macro recording; the editor also supports a built-in debugger, remote development, and language servers. Native Git operations include staging, commits, pulls, pushes, and viewing diffs. Users can chat with teammates, code together, and share screens and projects. Supported model providers include Amazon Bedrock, Anthropic, GitHub Copilot, Google AI, and OpenAI; the extension ecosystem has hundreds of extensions. Business costs $30.00 per month and has no minimum seat count. SSO, SAML, and SCIM are planned but not currently available.