Gemini Code Assist vs Z Code: Side-by-Side Comparison 2026

Gemini Code Assist vs Z Code comparison 2026. Side-by-side features, pricing & capabilities.

Gemini Code Assist is an editor extension from Google — google's ai coding assistant. Z Code is an AI IDE from Z.ai (Zhipu AI) — ai-powered code editor from zhipu ai (z.ai).

Gemini Code Assist

Google's AI-powered coding assistant built on Gemini. Provides code completions, chat, code transformations, and full codebase awareness in VS Code and JetBrains IDEs.

  • ✓ Code completions
  • ✓ AI chat
  • ✓ Code transformations
  • ✓ Codebase awareness
  • ✓ Pull request summaries

Free / $19/mo · 6 plans

Z Code

Desktop code editor from Z.ai (Zhipu AI) powered by GLM models. Integrates multiple AI agents within one interface with codebase understanding, automated code review, and support for external models. Also available as a VS Code extension.

  • ✓ GLM-5 flagship model (77.8% SWE-bench)
  • ✓ 200K token context window
  • ✓ OpenAI-compatible API
  • ✓ Free GLM-4.7-Flash model
  • ✓ Vision capabilities (Pro/Max)

$10/mo · 3 plans

Feature Gemini Code Assist Z Code
Category ExtensionAI IDE
Starting Price Free $10/mo
Model Family GeminiGLM
Agentic Mode — ✓
Multi-File Editing — ✓
Terminal Commands — ✓
Open Source NoModels are open-weight (MIT for GLM-4.6)

Pricing verified Feb 25, 2026. Gemini Code Assist pricing | Z Code pricing

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Key Differences

  • Category: Gemini Code Assist is an editor extension; Z Code is an AI IDE.
  • Free tier: Gemini Code Assist has a free tier; Z Code does not.
  • Starting price: Gemini Code Assist starts at $19/mo; Z Code starts at $10/mo.
  • Model family: Gemini Code Assist uses Gemini; Z Code uses GLM.
  • Agentic mode: Z Code supports agentic mode; Gemini Code Assist does not.
  • Open source: Gemini Code Assist: No. Z Code: Models are open-weight (MIT for GLM-4.6).
  • Bring your own key: Z Code supports BYOK; Gemini Code Assist does not.
  • Platforms: Gemini Code Assist runs on Desktop, Web; Z Code runs on Windows, macOS.
  • Provider: Gemini Code Assist is built by Google; Z Code is built by Z.ai (Zhipu AI).
  • Capabilities: Z Code has multi-file editing; Z Code has terminal commands.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Gemini Code Assist if you want deep integration with Google Cloud services and infrastructure. Choose Z Code if you want competitive coding AI starting at $10/mo with free model access. Read our full reviews to see which fits your workflow.

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