gh vs Gemini CLI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between gh and Gemini CLI comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
gh
Bring GitHub to your terminal for streamlined development workflows.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.7/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Manages GitHub issues, pull requests, and releases from the terminal.
- • Eliminates context switching for a more efficient workflow.
Gemini CLI
Open source AI coding agent powered by Google Gemini
Best for you if:
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • Google Gemini in your terminal
- • AI assistance from command line
| At a Glance |  gh |  Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 87/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | gh | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 87 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsVersion Control | Terminal ToolsAI Coding |
How gh and Gemini CLI Compare
gh
Bring GitHub to your terminal for streamlined development workflows.
Free · 87/100 score
Gemini CLI
Open source AI coding agent powered by Google Gemini
Free tier available
gh is a ide & code editors tool. Gemini CLI is in terminal tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
gh is free. Gemini CLI is freemium.
Go with: gh
Want the highest-rated option?
gh scores 87/100. Gemini CLI is unrated.
Go with: gh
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: gh
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
gh is free. Gemini CLI is freemium. Go with gh if free matters most.
What's your use case?
gh is a ide & code editors tool. Gemini CLI is in terminal tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
gh
- Higher score: 87/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Gemini CLI
- Better fit for terminal tools
The Bottom Line
gh (87/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gh or Gemini CLI better?
gh scores 87/100 in our evaluation. gh is free and Gemini CLI is freemium.
What are gh and Gemini CLI used for?
gh: Bring GitHub to your terminal for streamlined development workflows.. Gemini CLI: Open source AI coding agent powered by Google Gemini.
What does gh cost vs Gemini CLI?
gh is completely free. Gemini CLI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.