Jules vs Gemini CLI

Summary

Jules vs Gemini CLI (Coding Agents (CLI & Cloud)). Agent test scores: Jules 8/10, Gemini CLI 6.1/10. Jules scored 1.9 higher overall in our separate rubric v0.1 tests (editions and tasks can differ — see Edition tested and the notes below). Pricing: Jules — Jules in Pro via Google AI Pro (100 tasks/day); Jules in Ultra via Google AI Ultra (300/day). Google AI plan prices not on this page (search excerpt: $19.99 / $99.99); Gemini CLI — Requires paid Gemini API key, Vertex AI, or Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise.

Every fact on this page comes from our tool records and test logs. Last updated:

Key facts

Jules

VibeToolRank score
8/10
Last tested
2026-10-16
Runs
1 (single run)
Outcome score
9/10
Edition tested
Jules free tier, Gemini 3.6 Flash, async PR on GitHub
Free plan, as measured
1 of 15 daily sessions for one todo app (T1)
Free plan
Yes: 15 tasks/24h, 3 concurrent
Price
Jules in Pro via Google AI Pro (100 tasks/day); Jules in Ultra via Google AI Ultra (300/day). Google AI plan prices not on this page (search excerpt: $19.99 / $99.99)
Pricing checked
2026-10-16

Gemini CLI

VibeToolRank score
6.1/10
Last tested
2026-10-17
Runs
3 runs
Outcome score
8/10
Edition tested
Gemini CLI 0.64.0, free-tier Gemini API key, default model gemini-3.8-flash
Free plan, as measured
One todo-app attempt used up the free daily quota (20 requests/day on gemini-3.8-flash); the next day's runs hit the same limit
Free plan
No longer via Google sign-in (consumer users moved to Antigravity CLI June 18, 2026); free API-key quota unclear
Price
Requires paid Gemini API key, Vertex AI, or Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise
Pricing checked
2026-10-16

Side by side

FieldJules Gemini CLI
What it isJulesGoogle's asynchronous coding agent.Gemini CLIOpen-source terminal agent from Google; consumer users moved to Antigravity CLI in June 2026.
PricingJulesJules in Pro via Google AI Pro (100 tasks/day); Jules in Ultra via Google AI Ultra (300/day). Google AI plan prices not on this page (search excerpt: $19.99 / $99.99)Gemini CLIRequires paid Gemini API key, Vertex AI, or Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise
Free tierJulesYes: 15 tasks/24h, 3 concurrentGemini CLINo longer via Google sign-in (consumer users moved to Antigravity CLI June 18, 2026); free API-key quota unclear
Pricing verifiedJules2026-10-16Gemini CLI2026-10-16
Edition testedJulesJules free tier, Gemini 3.6 Flash, async PR on GitHubGemini CLIGemini CLI 0.64.0, free-tier Gemini API key, default model gemini-3.8-flash
Tested onJules2026-10-16Gemini CLI2026-10-17
Outcome scoreJules9Gemini CLI8
Speed scoreJules5Gemini CLI6
Cost scoreJules9Gemini CLI6
Developer experience scoreJules7Gemini CLI4
Reliability scoreJules8Gemini CLI3
Overall scoreJules8Gemini CLI6.1

What our tests found

Jules

Jules is an async coding agent: it delivered our T1 todo app as a GitHub pull request after about 14 minutes, about 5 of which it appeared stuck. It wrote and ran its own Playwright test. We cloned the PR, built it and verified it ourselves in headless Chrome: add, complete, delete, filters, reload persistence and a 375px mobile check all passed. The only console error was a missing favicon. Single run, not 3.cloud free tier

Pros
  • Every T1 check passed when we built and tested the PR ourselves, including on mobile
  • Wrote and ran its own Playwright test and did a code review step
  • Delivers a clean pull request you can review before merging
  • Free tier allows 15 sessions per day
Cons
  • Slow: about 14 minutes, about 5 of which it appeared stuck
  • No live preview; you must clone and run the PR yourself
  • Large diff (+1853 lines including package-lock) for a small app
  • Needs a Google account and GitHub access

Who it’s for: Developers with a GitHub repo who want to hand off well-defined tasks and review a pull request later.

Gemini CLI

Google-account login for individuals no longer works (the CLI says to migrate to Antigravity), so we used a free-tier API key. Run 1 (16 Oct 2026) wrote a complete todo app in about 5 minutes, then hit the free tier's 20-requests-per-day limit for gemini-3.8-flash. We re-ran on 17 Oct 2026: runs 2 and 3 both failed immediately with the same 429 quota error and wrote no files. We verified the run-1 app ourselves in headless Chrome: add, complete, delete, filters, reload persistence and the mobile layout all passed.CLI, free API tier

Pros
  • The one app it finished passed every check in our own headless browser test, including mobile
  • Single command, headless mode with JSON output
  • Free API key tier, no card
Cons
  • Google-account login for individuals fails with 'client no longer supported ... migrate to Antigravity'
  • Free tier allowed only 20 requests per day on gemini-3.8-flash; one small app used them all
  • Re-test on 17 Oct 2026: runs 2 and 3 both exited 173 with quota exhausted before writing any files
  • The saved Google-login setting overrides GEMINI_API_KEY until you change settings

Who it’s for: Developers with a paid Gemini API key or Vertex AI who want an open-source terminal agent; casual free use is now very limited.

Verdict

Scores use rubric v0.1 from separate runs. Editions and tasks can differ (see Edition tested and What our tests found); some tests were a single run, which caps reliability scores. Overall: Jules 8, Gemini CLI 6.1. Check the free-tier limits above against your project before choosing.

FAQ

Which is better, Jules or Gemini CLI?

In our tests Jules scored higher overall (8/10 vs 6.1/10). Scores use the same rubric (v0.1) but came from separate runs; editions and tasks may differ (see Edition tested and test summaries), so check the per-dimension scores for what matters to you.

Is Jules free?

Yes: 15 tasks/24h, 3 concurrent (pricing checked 2026-10-16).

Is Gemini CLI free?

No longer via Google sign-in (consumer users moved to Antigravity CLI June 18, 2026); free API-key quota unclear (pricing checked 2026-10-16).

How much does Jules cost compared with Gemini CLI?

Jules: Jules in Pro via Google AI Pro (100 tasks/day); Jules in Ultra via Google AI Ultra (300/day). Google AI plan prices not on this page (search excerpt: $19.99 / $99.99). Gemini CLI: Requires paid Gemini API key, Vertex AI, or Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise.

Best Coding Agents (CLI & Cloud) · Best free Coding Agents (CLI & Cloud) · All comparisons · Methodology

Related

Other Coding Agents (CLI & Cloud) tools

Best Coding Agents (CLI & Cloud) · Best free Coding Agents (CLI & Cloud)

Scores come from our own tests and are never for sale; sponsored placements are always labelled. Some links are affiliate links (currently Railway). Disclosure