Best AI Model for Coding (October 2026)

The models that write the best code, ranked across 100 models in Saaga with a coding score. The strongest coder isn't always the one to use all day, so the value and budget picks show what you get for less.

Updated October 2026 from Saaga's billed prices, Artificial Analysis benchmark scores and user reviews.

Try Gemini 3.8 Flash free$5 in credit to start, no card needed.

Our picks for coding

Best for coding
Claude Fable 5.1
$50 per 1M output tokens · intelligence 53.4 · coding 81.6. The highest coding score in Saaga's catalogue.
No page yet
Best value for coding
Gemini 3.8 Flash
$3.75 per 1M output tokens · intelligence 40.9 · coding 76.3. 94% of the top coding score for 1/13 of the price.
No reviews yet
Read Gemini 3.8 Flash reviews
Best coder under $1
GLM 5.3 Flash
$0.50 per 1M output tokens · intelligence 41.8 · coding 71.5. The strongest coder at $1 or less per 1M output tokens.
No reviews yet
Read GLM 5.3 Flash reviews

Top 15 by coding score

Artificial Analysis coding index; higher is better.

The 15 best AI models for coding with price, scores and user rating
#	Model	Family	Price / 1M output	Intelligence	Coding	User rating
1	Claude Fable 5.1	Claude	$50	53.4	81.6	No page yet
2	Claude Opus 5	Claude	$25	50.8	78.0	No reviews yet
3	GPT 5.6 Sol	ChatGPT	$20	47.0	77.4	No page yet
4	GPT-6 Astra	ChatGPT	$50	52.7	76.9	No reviews yet
5	Grok 4.6	Grok	$6	44.3	76.8	No reviews yet
6	GPT 5.6 Terra	ChatGPT	$12	42.1	76.7	No page yet
7	Claude Fable 5	Claude	$50	49.6	76.5	No reviews yet
8	Gemini 3.8 Flash	Gemini	$3.75	40.9	76.3	No reviews yet
9	Qwen 3.8 Max	Qwen	$6	53.4	76.2	No reviews yet
10	Kimi K3	Kimi	$15	43.6	76.2	No reviews yet
11	Muse Spark 1.3	Muse Spark	$4.25	48.1	75.8	No reviews yet
12	GPT 5.5	ChatGPT	$30	38.4	74.9	No page yet
13	GLM 5.3	GLM	$4.40	44.8	74.8	No reviews yet
14	Claude Opus 4.8	Claude	$25	41.8	74.3	No page yet
15	Claude Opus 4.7	Claude	$25	40.7	73.6	No page yet