Factr-I vs Claude Code
Factr-I is free, MIT-licensed and works with many models, including local ones through Ollama. Claude Code is Anthropic's proprietary agent, runs Claude models only, and needs a paid Claude plan or API credits. Claude Code is available today on more surfaces, from the terminal to the web.
Not benchmarked yet. This page compares what each product is, checked against each vendor's own documentation, until it has been run on the same tasks as Factr-I.
At a glance
| Feature | Factr-I | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes, MIT | No. All rights reserved by Anthropic. |
| How you run it | Desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux. No CLI. | Terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains extensions, desktop app and web |
| Models | ChatGPT sign-in, API keys for OpenAI and other providers, or your own endpoint | Claude models only, directly or through Bedrock, Vertex or Foundry |
| Local models | Yes, through Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible server | No |
| Price of the tool | Free. You pay your model provider, if any. | Needs a paid Claude plan (from $17 a month billed annually) or API credits |
| Where your chats live | On your computer. Nothing is sent to Refactr. | Transcripts kept locally for 30 days by default. Prompts go to Anthropic. |
Where each one leads
Where Factr-I leads
- Open source under MIT. Claude Code's license reserves all rights to Anthropic.
- Runs any model, including local models through Ollama. Claude Code runs Claude models only.
- Free to use with a ChatGPT sign-in or your own key. Claude Code needs a paid plan or API credits.
Where Claude Code leads
- Claude Code runs in the terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, a desktop app and the web. Factr-I is a desktop app only.
- Claude Code is available today. Factr-I is on a waitlist.
Sources: Claude Code overview, Claude Code LLM gateway, Claude Code data usage, Claude pricing.
Questions
Is Factr-I a Claude Code alternative?
Yes, for people who want an open-source agent that runs on their computer with any model, including local ones.
Can Claude Code use local models?
No. Anthropic's docs say it does not support routing to non-Claude models. Factr-I runs local models through Ollama.
Is Claude Code free?
No. It needs a paid Claude plan, from $17 a month billed annually, or Console API credits. Factr-I is free.
Where does Claude Code send my prompts?
To Anthropic, by default. Factr-I sends prompts only to the model provider you pick, and nothing to Refactr.