RTK alternative: TokenPincher vs RTK
RTK (Rust Token Killer) is a solid free, open-source CLI proxy for cutting token usage on dev commands. If you're happy self-hosting and configuring it yourself, it's a legitimate choice — we're not here to talk you out of a free tool that works. TokenPincher is a managed alternative: one-line install, works across Claude Code and Codex, and ships built-in stats and support.
npx tokenpincher initFeature comparison
| Feature | RTK | TokenPincher |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, open source | 7-day free trial, then $9/mo |
| Setup | Install Rust binary, configure hooks | One-line install (CLI or MCP) |
| Scope | CLI command output compression | CLI + MCP, cross-tool (Claude Code, Codex) |
| Stats / proof | gain command shows local savings | Built-in stats screen, tokens + $ saved |
| Support | Community / GitHub issues | Direct support |
| Maintenance | Self-hosted, you manage upgrades | Managed, updates ship automatically |
When RTK is the right call
If you're comfortable maintaining your own tooling, want zero recurring cost, and don't need cross-tool support or a stats dashboard, RTK is a genuinely good option. It's open source — you can read exactly what it does.
When TokenPincher makes more sense
If you'd rather not configure and maintain a proxy yourself, want it working the same way across Claude Code and Codex, and want a stats screen that proves the savings session by session, TokenPincheris built for that. See reduce Claude Code token usage for the full picture. Also using Codex? See the Codex page.
Try TokenPincher
npx tokenpincher init