Bonfire Terminal vs Amp
Amp is a cloud-hosted AI coding assistant, freemium with usage-based credits, running Anthropic or OpenAI, and it marks up API keys. It says it does not train on your code. Bonfire Terminal removes the credit meter entirely: on-device execution, your own key at cost with no markup, and one perpetual license.
Bonfire Terminal vs Amp: the 16-factor comparison
| Rating factor | Amp | Bonfire Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Coding Assistant | AI Terminal / Local Agent |
| Popularity | Not disclosed | Growing · indie |
| Hosting architecture | Cloud-Hosted | On-Device Local |
| Licensing model | Freemium | One-Time Perpetual |
| Data / training policy | Does not train on your code | Fully local — nothing leaves device |
| Offline capability | No | Yes |
| Pricing tier range | Usage-based credits | One-time license |
| Execution unit cost | Pay-Per-Token | Unlimited Local Compute |
| API-key markup | Yes | No — BYO key at cost |
| Supported LLM providers | Anthropic;OpenAI | OpenAI; Anthropic; Google; Local; Any |
| Auth / permission types | OAuth;API Key | API Key; Local/None |
| Phone / messaging bridges | None | Telegram; WhatsApp |
| Speech recognition engine | None | Whisper (local) |
| Local media processing | No | Yes |
| Sovereign score | 30 / 100 | 93 / 100 |
The sovereignty gap
Where Amp lands on each weighted pillar (its bar) — the red marker is Bonfire's score. Auto-derived from the 16 factors above.
Which should you choose?
Choose Amp if…
Choose Amp if you want a cloud coding assistant backed by Anthropic and OpenAI, with a credit-based model and a clear no-training-on-code policy.
Choose Bonfire Terminal if…
Choose Bonfire Terminal if you want to escape usage credits and key markup, keep code on-device, and pay once for provider-agnostic local AI.
Bonfire Terminal vs Amp: FAQ
Is Amp private?
Amp says it does not train on your code, which is good, but it is cloud-hosted, so your code still passes through its servers during use. Bonfire Terminal runs on your device, so your code never leaves your machine in the first place.
Is Bonfire Terminal cheaper than Amp?
Yes. Amp charges usage-based credits and marks up API keys. Bonfire Terminal is a one-time license with your Anthropic or OpenAI key billed directly at cost and no markup, so you avoid both the metered credits and the surcharge.
Can Bonfire Terminal replace Amp?
For general on-device AI and coding help, largely yes. Bonfire Terminal runs coding and agent tasks locally with your own key. As a cloud coding assistant with deep editor integration, Amp's hosted experience may feel more integrated for some workflows.
What can Bonfire Terminal do that Amp can't?
Bonfire Terminal runs on-device, bills keys at cost with no markup, adds local Whisper speech and local media processing, and bridges Telegram and WhatsApp. Amp is cloud-only, credit-metered, marks up keys, and offers no bridges or offline mode.
How do I switch from Amp to Bonfire Terminal?
Install Bonfire Terminal and add your Anthropic or OpenAI key, then recreate your Amp prompts as local tasks. You drop the usage credits and key markup immediately, and your code runs entirely on your own device.
Does Bonfire Terminal work offline vs Amp?
Amp has no offline capability and depends on its cloud. Bonfire Terminal is on-device, so with a local model and local Whisper it keeps assisting offline, reaching Anthropic or OpenAI only when you deliberately choose.