Mentat vs Gemini CLI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Mentat 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:
Mentat
AI coding assistant for terminal
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Mentat is an AI coding assistant that works within your terminal
- • It edits code across files using GPT-4 with context awareness
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 |  Mentat |  Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 78/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Mentat | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 78 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools | Terminal ToolsAI Coding |
How Mentat and Gemini CLI Compare
Mentat
AI coding assistant for terminal
Free · 78/100 score
Gemini CLI
Open source AI coding agent powered by Google Gemini
Free tier available
Mentat is a ide & code editors tool. Gemini CLI is in terminal tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mentat is free. Gemini CLI is freemium.
Go with: Mentat
Want the highest-rated option?
Mentat scores 78/100. Gemini CLI is unrated.
Go with: Mentat
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Mentat
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Mentat is free. Gemini CLI is freemium. Go with Mentat if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Mentat 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
Mentat
- Higher score: 78/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Gemini CLI
- Better fit for terminal tools
The Bottom Line
Mentat (78/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mentat or Gemini CLI better?
Mentat scores 78/100 in our evaluation. Mentat is free and Gemini CLI is freemium.
What are Mentat and Gemini CLI used for?
Mentat: AI coding assistant for terminal. Gemini CLI: Open source AI coding agent powered by Google Gemini.
What does Mentat cost vs Gemini CLI?
Mentat is completely free. Gemini CLI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.