Quick Verdict
Amp is a proprietary, cloud-first coding agent and a separate product from the current Sourcegraph Enterprise Cody. It uses terminal and web threads to understand repositories, edit files, run commands, call tools, and continue multi-step development tasks. Current commercial entry points include $20 and $200 monthly subscriptions plus pay-as-you-go billing. There is no self-hosted edition, so private code, prompts, thread content, and tool results fall within Amp’s cloud boundary and those of its selected code and model providers.
Amp is a candidate for professional developers who want an agent to implement, test, and debug directly and can review every change. Its SOC 2 status provides useful procurement evidence but does not answer thread retention, supplier access, or deletion by itself. Shell, file, and development credentials create more risk than autocomplete. Use an isolated repository to measure value before connecting sensitive production code or privileged tools.
Best For
- Terminal-oriented developers who want an agent to complete cross-file tasks.
- Teams with branch protection, code review, CI, and secret-management controls.
- Users willing to pay a fixed subscription or variable cloud-agent usage.
- Engineers who can constrain shell, filesystem, network, and credential access.
- Not suitable for mandatory self-hosting, strict offline processing, or uncontrolled production credentials.
Key Features
- Agent coding threads: continues one task through investigation, implementation, and verification.
- Terminal and web workflow: starts from a development environment and remains visible through cloud threads.
- File and command tools: reads and edits repositories and runs tests or builds within granted permissions.
- Multi-step execution: responds to intermediate results and continues without one prompt per action.
- Selected suppliers: uses code infrastructure and model providers selected by Amp.
- Team security controls: provides professional account capabilities and SOC 2 evidence.
- Cloud thread continuity: preserves task context across interfaces subject to current retention and deletion policies.
Use Cases
Amp can investigate a failing test on an isolated branch, modify relevant files, and run a restricted test command before a developer reviews the diff. It can also break a mechanical API migration into reviewable steps or inspect a repository before proposing a plan. A useful trial records completion time, model spend, rework, and unsafe or unnecessary actions on a real but non-sensitive task.
Do not start it in a shell containing production secrets or grant release, database-write, or infrastructure-delete permissions. Prompt injection can arrive through repository documents, issues, websites, and tool output. Restrict commands, working directories, network access, and credentials even for an apparently read-only task.
Pricing
As of July 21, 2026, Amp offers $20/month and $200/month subscription tiers plus pay-as-you-go billing. Included usage, priority, team rights, and overage prices should be confirmed at checkout. Do not reuse older claims about free credits, advertising tiers, or one-time enterprise fees. Long agent threads can consume substantial model and execution resources, and a subscription does not necessarily mean unlimited use.
Amp is proprietary and has no self-hosted edition. Procurement should verify thread retention, deletion timing, model and code suppliers, regions, support, offboarding, and how subscription and variable charges interact. Enterprise buyers should request the applicable SOC 2 report, DPA, and current subprocessor list rather than relying only on a badge.
Pros
- Focuses on multi-step coding-agent execution rather than autocomplete.
- Terminal and web threads support continuous task monitoring.
- Can edit files, run tests, and react to results.
- Offers $20/$200 subscriptions and pay-as-you-go entry points.
- SOC 2 provides auditable material for security review.
Cons
- Proprietary cloud service with no self-hosting or offline mode.
- Code and threads can pass through Amp-selected code and model providers.
- Retention, deletion, and subprocessors require live policy and contract review.
- Shell, file, and development credentials can enable high-impact actions.
- Variable spending grows with long threads, model choice, and rework.
- Overseas cloud dependencies affect regional reliability and compliance.
Alternatives
| Tool | Best for | Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sourcegraph Cody | Enterprises needing code-search context | Integrates Sourcegraph Search, permissions, and self-hosted platform options | High platform entry price, not an individual agent subscription |
| Claude Code | Terminal-heavy developers | Mature terminal-agent workflow | Model data and command permissions still need governance |
| Cursor | Developers preferring an integrated AI IDE | Intuitive multi-file editing | Requires adopting its editor workflow |
| GitHub Copilot | Teams in GitHub and mainstream IDEs | Broad integrations and enterprise adoption | Different from Amp’s persistent thread model |
FAQ
Are Amp and Sourcegraph Cody the same product?
No. Amp is a separate proprietary cloud coding agent. Cody belongs to the current Sourcegraph Enterprise platform and should be evaluated and purchased separately.
How is Amp priced now?
Current options are $20/month, $200/month, and pay-as-you-go. Check live included usage, overage, and team rights before purchase.
Can Amp be self-hosted?
No under the current product model. Teams requiring all code and model processing on their own infrastructure need another option.
Does SOC 2 mean code is never retained?
No. SOC 2 is a control-audit framework. Retention, training use, backup deletion, and supplier processing must be checked separately.
Which companies receive code from Amp?
Amp and its selected code and model providers may process data. Supplier lists can change, so enterprises should obtain current subprocessor and routing documentation.
Is it safe to let Amp run terminal commands?
Only with restricted permissions, reviewable commands, and reversible changes. Never expose production secrets, release authority, or destructive infrastructure access.
Bottom Line
Amp is a proprietary cloud coding agent built around multi-step execution and currently sold through $20/$200 subscriptions and pay-as-you-go billing. The same tools that create value also create risk. With no self-hosting, buyers must assess supplier data paths, thread retention, SOC 2 evidence, and local command permissions together. Run an end-to-end trial on an isolated branch, then compare it with Claude Code, Cursor, and Sourcegraph Cody.