Does Aider or Stagehand have a free plan?

Aider is a paid tool. Stagehand is a paid tool. Always verify current pricing directly with the vendor.

Aider vs Stagehand

Q: Can I use Aider and Stagehand together?

Yes, many teams use both tools together for different purposes. Use the Stack Builder section above to combine Aider and Stagehand with other tools and save your AI toolkit.

Comprehensive side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, performance, and more.

Updated May 2026

Aider

Aider AI LLC

AI pair programming in your terminal for faster, smarter coding.

0.0(0)

OPEN_SOURCE

91% data quality

Stagehand

Browserbase

Automate web interactions reliably with an AI-native browser automation framework for developers

0.0(0)

OPEN_SOURCE

91% data quality

Trust & Reliability

Aider

Users:1M-10M

Stagehand

Users:10K-100K

Customers (per vendor):Vercel

Too Close to Call

Stagehand (7.8) vs Aider (7.5) — difference of 0.3 points

AI Comparison Summary

Aider

7.5

avg score

Stagehand

7.8

avg score

Stagehand leads overall.

Based on 6 dimensions

How scores are calculated

Overall Winner

Stagehand

7.8 / 10

Aider

Best For

Starting new coding projects with AI assistance

Building on existing codebases with LLM support

Automating code changes and bug fixes

Refactoring code with AI guidance

Not Ideal For

Non-technical users without coding experience

Teams requiring a fully managed, GUI-based IDE with AI built-in

Organizations needing strict enterprise-level compliance certifications out-of-the-box

Stagehand

Best For

Building reliable web automation scripts for developers

Creating research agents that gather live information

Developing task agents for complex multi-step browser workflows

Automating authenticated web interactions for various applications

Not Ideal For

Non-technical users seeking no-code automation solutions

Simple, one-off browser tasks that don't require AI adaptability

Users who prefer visual builders over code-based frameworks

* Verdict is based on our algorithmic scoring of publicly available data. Learn about our methodology

Aider is best for

🤖Automation & Agents10.0🎧Customer Support10.0✍️Writing & Content9.0

Stagehand is best for

🤖Automation & Agents7.7

Filter by your use case:

Pros & Cons

Aider

Pros

Open-source and free to use, offering flexibility and community support
Integrates deeply with Git for version control and easy change management
Supports a wide array of LLMs, including local models, for diverse use cases
Works with over 100 programming languages, making it versatile for many projects
Provides codebase mapping for better context in large projects
Offers unique features like voice-to-code and image/URL context

Cons

Requires API keys for most powerful LLMs, incurring external costs
Primarily a command-line interface tool, which may have a learning curve for some users
No built-in graphical user interface (GUI) for visual interaction
Relies on external LLMs, so performance and availability depend on third-party services
Does not offer enterprise-grade compliance certifications like SOC 2 or HIPAA

Stagehand

Pros

Offers precise control by mixing AI-powered actions with deterministic code
Provides repeatable browser automations, eliminating 'it worked on my machine' issues
Enables maintainable automations that adapt to website changes at scale
Features composable tools (Act, Extract, Observe, Agent) for flexible automation levels
Open-source and actively maintained by a trusted team
Designed for efficient browser automation and optimized for performance

Cons

Requires coding knowledge (TypeScript/JavaScript) for implementation
Relies on external cloud browser providers like Browserbase for production deployment
May require careful prompt engineering for optimal AI agent performance
Not suitable for non-technical users seeking no-code solutions

Weighted Score — Adjust What Matters to You

Pick a profile or drag sliders — scores and radar update instantly on the right.

Quick profiles:

Ease of Use5

Output Quality5

Value for Money5

Customizability5

Support & Ecosystem5

Integration Power5

Dimension Comparison

Aider

7.5

/ 10

Stagehand

7.8

/ 10

Your pick

Dimension Breakdown

Ease of Use

How easy it is to get started and use daily

Aider

6.0

Stagehand

6.0

Output Quality

Quality and accuracy of generated results

Aider

7.0

Stagehand

8.0▲ +1.0

Value for Money

Cost vs. features and output quality

Aider

10.0▲ +1.0

Stagehand

9.0

Customizability

Calculated

Ability to tailor to specific needs

Aider

7.0

Stagehand

8.0▲ +1.0

Support & Ecosystem

Documentation, community, and support quality

Aider

7.0

Stagehand

8.0▲ +1.0

Integration Power

Calculated

Ability to connect with other tools and workflows

Aider

8.0

Stagehand

8.0

Calculated = derived from verified integration count and API/open-source signals. AI = LLM-assessed from public website content. Methodology

Data is sourced from public information and vendor websites. It may not always be up-to-date — verify pricing and features directly with the vendor before purchasing.Report inaccuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Aider or Stagehand?

Both are strong options. Aider has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews), while Stagehand has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews). The best choice depends on your specific use case, budget, and workflow requirements.

Is Aider cheaper than Stagehand?

Aider starts at free (open_source model). Stagehand starts at free (open_source model). Use the Cost Calculator above for a detailed estimate.

What are the main differences between Aider and Stagehand?

Aider — "AI pair programming in your terminal for faster, smarter coding.". Stagehand — "Automate web interactions reliably with an AI-native browser automation framework for developers". Key differences include their pricing models, platform support, integrations, and technical capabilities. See the Feature Comparison table above for a complete side-by-side breakdown.

Can I use Aider and Stagehand together?

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