Zukko Blog
Guides to Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and the Claude and GPT APIs: setup, token savings and troubleshooting.
GPT-6 Astra or Claude Fable 5.1: Two Top Models by Price and Index
5 min · · сравнение
Two premium models with the same intelligence index and different Zukko prices. We price a single request and an agent session with cache, and explain how to choose on your own data.
Qwen or DeepSeek via API: Price, Context and Intelligence Index
5 min · · сравнение
Four models, one task and an honest calculation: what a run costs on Qwen 3.8 Max and Flash versus DeepSeek V4 Pro and V4.1 Flash.
Gemini API vs Vertex API: the difference and which one to pick
5 min · · сравнение
Google offers two doors to Gemini: an AI Studio key or a Google Cloud project. We compare them and show a third route through a gateway.
GitHub Copilot alternatives with your own API key: what to choose
5 min · · IDE
Cline, Kilo Code, Continue and Cursor work with your own key. We compare where they live, how they connect to a gateway and how to estimate spend.
OpenAI SDK or LangChain: when a framework helps and when it gets in the way
5 min · · development
One scenario written with the plain SDK and with LangChain: how much code, where debugging is easier and how to keep control of token spend.
OpenAI API vs Anthropic API: the format differences and what to pick for your code
6 min · · API keys
Two request formats solve the same task but differ in details that break code when porting. A comparison of structure, tools, streaming, cache and headers.
Claude Fable 5.1 or Sonnet 5.5: when a big price gap is justified
6 min · · сравнение
Fable 5.1 costs far more than Sonnet 5.5. We price the same task in both API formats and give a way to choose the model from results on your own examples.
DeepSeek V4 Flash or V4.1 Flash: which cheap model to pick
6 min · · сравнение
A newer version is not always more expensive. We compare DeepSeek V4 Flash and V4.1 Flash on price, cache, context and intelligence index, cost a workload and show how to test.
Zed AI vs Cursor: a fast editor against an AI fork of VS Code
6 min · · IDE
Zed and Cursor approach AI differently: one builds around its own editor and the ACP protocol, the other extends VS Code. We compare them and connect your own key.
JetBrains AI vs Cursor: what a developer on IntelliJ and PyCharm should pick
6 min · · IDE
Stay in a JetBrains IDE with AI Assistant or move to Cursor? We compare features, own-model support and costs, with step-by-step settings.
RAG or MCP: what is the difference and which to choose for giving a model data
6 min · · сравнение
RAG puts retrieved pieces into the prompt, MCP gives the model tools it calls itself. How they differ, what each costs and how to combine them.
GPT-6 or GPT-5.6 Sol: is it worth moving to the new generation
5 min · · сравнение
A new generation is not always more expensive and not always better for your task. Three models compared by price and cache, with a plan for a safe switch tested on your own prompts.
Claude Desktop or Claude Code: What Is the Difference and Which to Pick
6 min · · сравнение
The desktop app and the console agent share one engine but sign in differently. We compare scenarios, model access and cost.
YandexGPT API or foreign models through a gateway: which to choose
5 min · · сравнение
A Russian model in Yandex Cloud and foreign models behind an OpenAI-compatible gateway solve the same job differently. We compare the approaches without rankings.
Gemini models in the API: 3.8 Flash vs 3.7 Flash and which to pick
6 min · · models
The catalogue has two Gemini models with the same price and a 1M context. What sets them apart, where each fits and how to keep your code safe when models change.
Cline or Cursor: what to pick if you want to pay only for tokens
6 min · · IDE
Cline is a free extension and you pay the provider for tokens. Cursor is sold as a product. We compare payment, context control and agent features and price a month of work.
Cursor or VS Code with AI extensions: what to choose in 2026
6 min · · IDE
Cursor is built on VS Code, but the AI is part of it. We compare it with plain VS Code plus an extension: what each path gives, how to use your own key and what it costs.
Langflow or LangChain: a visual builder versus code
6 min · · сравнение
Langflow builds an app on a canvas, LangChain is written in code. Who each approach suits, and how to connect the gateway in both.
opencode or Codex CLI: which terminal agent to choose
6 min · · агенты
Both agents are open source, both read AGENTS.md and both work with your own API. The differences are in providers, modes and cache billing. We compare and price a session.
GLM or DeepSeek via API: comparing price, context and strength index
5 min · · models
GLM charges the same for input and output, DeepSeek is cheaper on input. Two worked scenarios show which wins where and when a 128K window is not enough.
Claude Sonnet 4.6: what it is and when to pick it over Sonnet 5 and 5.5
6 min · · models
Sonnet 4.6 is still in the Zukko catalog, but it costs more and scores lower than Sonnet 5 and 5.5. When to leave a working pipeline alone and when to move.
Cline or Continue: agent or assistant, which to pick in VS Code
6 min · · сравнение
Cline takes a whole task and asks for permission, Continue offers chat, edit and autocomplete. How models, config and token spend differ between them.
opencode or Cursor: a console agent or an editor with AI
5 min · · сравнение
One lives in the terminal and works with any provider, the other brings a whole editor. A comparison by scenarios, model setup and price.
Function calling or MCP: what is the difference and what to choose
5 min · · агенты
These are not two rival methods but two levels of the same task. Who describes a tool, who runs it, and when you need MCP.