---
title: 'AI Coding Agent Tier List: The Best and Worst Tools'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=H-MU1gXsf2U'
video_id: 'H-MU1gXsf2U'
date: 2026-09-03
duration_sec: 61
channel: 'David Ondrej'
---

# AI Coding Agent Tier List: The Best and Worst Tools

> Source: [AI Coding Agent Tier List: The Best and Worst Tools](https://youtube.com/watch?v=H-MU1gXsf2U)

## Summary

The video provides a tier-based ranking of AI coding agents, evaluating their performance, usability, and value. The creator shares personal experience with each tool, highlighting strengths and weaknesses to help viewers choose the right agent for their needs.

### Key Points

- **Cloud Code is A tier** [00:00] — Cloud Code is considered top-tier, though Fable is being removed from the subscription, preventing an S tier rating.
- **Codex is A tier** [00:00] — Codex is also A tier, but the $200 subscription now offers less usage with GPT-5.6 and its UI is less polished than Cloud Code.
- **Gemini CLI is D tier** [00:17] — Gemini CLI is considered trash and not used by serious developers; Google may be removing support for it.
- **Ader is B or C tier** [00:31] — Ader is better than Gemini CLI but not as good as Cloud Code or Codex, placing it in B or C tier.
- **AMP is B tier** [00:31] — AMP is better than Ader, but not a daily driver, so it's B tier.
- **Pi Agent is S tier** [00:46] — Pi Agent is the most minimal agent, highly customizable, works with any model and existing subscriptions, earning S tier.
- **Droid is S tier** [00:46] — Droid is one of the best harnesses, though the creator has less experience with it, still earning S tier.
- **Cursor CLI is high A tier** [01:00] — Cursor CLI is solid, with a less polished UI than Cloud Code, but supports any model, making it high A tier.

### Conclusion

The creator ranks AI coding agents based on personal experience, with Pi Agent and Droid as top picks, while Gemini CLI is strongly discouraged. The tier list helps developers select the most effective tool for their workflow.

## Transcript

Cloud Code right now A tier. The OG CLI agent. It's still amazing but Fable is getting removed from the subscription so I cannot put it to S tier. Oh Codex probably A tier as well. Previous Codex with $200 subscription S tier but with GBD 5.6 you're getting way less usage and its UI is
not as polished as Cloud Code. Gemini CLI is going straight into D tier. It's trash and nobody serious using it. In fact I think Google is removing support for it so don't use Gemini CLI. Okay, Ader, I haven't used as much, but definitely better than Gemini CLI, so either B or C tier.
Okay, AMP is, I would say, better than Ader, so probably B tier. Again, not my daily driver, but not as elite as CloudCore or Codex. Alright, Pi Agent, it's the most minimal agent, very lean prompt, highly customizable, you can use any model, you can use your existing subscriptions, going into S tier.
Droid is very good, I don't have as much hours in it as in CloudCore or Codex, but Droid is one of the best harnesses out there, I will give it S tier as well. Cursor CLI, really solid. The UI is not as optimal as Cloud Code, not as polished, but you can use any model and yeah, it's really good.
Definitely high A tier.