ZCode vs Amp: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
What are ZCode and Amp?
ZCode is a free desktop app from Z.ai that helps you build software using an AI agent. Instead of just chatting with AI inside an editor, you tell ZCode what you want done, and it plans the work, edits your files, runs terminal commands, checks its own results, and keeps working until the task is finished.
It is built around the GLM-5.2 model, which can hold a huge amount of context so it can work on large, complex projects without losing track of details. You can also connect other AI models if you prefer.
ZCode works on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and you can even guide tasks from your phone while the agent keeps working on your computer.
Amp is an AI coding agent built by Amp Inc, a company that spun out of Sourcegraph in 2025. It helps developers write, edit, and test code by working through tasks called threads. Instead of just suggesting code, Amp can run commands, use tools, and even work on its own using remote machines called orbs.
These orbs keep working even after you close your laptop. Amp supports different modes, from quick and simple tasks to deep and complex problem solving. You can use Amp through its website, a command line tool, or by connecting it to popular code editors. It is built for developers who want a powerful and flexible coding assistant that keeps up with the latest AI models.
Features of ZCode and Amp
AI agent plans, edits, and tests code
Goal Mode keeps working until tasks pass
Built-in terminal, file manager, and Git panel
Live browser preview for checking results
Custom subagents for research and tasks
Reusable skills and quick commands
Plugin and MCP tool support
Remote access via SSH and Docker
Mobile and bot control while you're away
Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
Threads save and resume work anytime
Orbs run tasks on remote machines
Multiple reasoning modes for different tasks
Sub agents handle review, search, and research
Skills and plugins add custom tools
Works with GitHub repos and code editors
Slack integration for team updates
Strong security and enterprise controls
Available on web and command line
Built for fast changing AI models
Use Cases of ZCode and Amp
Pricing of ZCode and Amp
ZCode is free to download and use, though connecting an AI model needs a paid plan or your own API key.
Lite ($16.20/month): Starts at $16.20 a month, a 10% discount off the regular $18, and covers light use on small projects.
Pro ($64.80/month): The most popular plan, giving five times the usage of Lite, along with priority model access, curated MCP tools, and faster speeds.
Max ($144/month): Gives twenty times the usage of Lite, first access to new models, and dedicated resources during busy times.
Choosing yearly billing saves 30%, bringing Lite to $12.60 a month, Pro to $50.40 a month, and Max to $112 a month, each billed once per year.
Amp offers simple pricing plans built for different needs.
Megawatt ($20/month): Includes 750 hours of small orb usage plus $20 of agent usage credit, covering low and medium modes.
Gigawatt ($200/month): Includes everything in Megawatt, plus 1,000 hours of large orb usage, $200 of agent usage credit, and access to every mode, including high and ultra.
Pay as you go: A flexible option that charges based on actual usage instead of a fixed monthly fee.
Enterprise: Custom usage based pricing with added features like single sign on, directory sync, zero data retention, and dedicated support.
This range of options lets solo developers and larger teams both find a plan that fits how they work.
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