Trae
Free AI IDE by ByteDance
Developers who want an affordable AI IDE with access to top-tier models
Founded 2024 · China
Good Fit If You're...
Developer who wants an affordable AI IDE
Trae gives you access to Claude, GPT-4o, and DeepSeek starting at $10/mo. Significantly cheaper than Cursor's $20/mo with comparable features.
Student or early-career developer
When you're learning to code, every dollar matters. Trae's free tier and low-cost Pro plan make it one of the most affordable options for professional-grade AI assistance.
Trying AI-assisted coding for the first time
Not sure if AI coding tools are worth it? Trae's free tier lets you try before committing. Builder mode gives you the full agentic experience.
Developer comfortable with newer, less proven tools
Trae is newer than Cursor or Windsurf. If you're okay being an early adopter and can tolerate occasional rough edges, the price-to-capability ratio is unbeatable.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited free requests per month |
| Lite | $3/mo | — |
| Pro | $10/mo | — |
| Pro+ | $30/mo | — |
| Ultra | $100/mo | — |
Hidden costs to be aware of:
- Token-based usage — heavier use may require higher tiers
Pricing last verified: 2026-04-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Free tier available with paid plans from $10/mo
- +Access to top-tier models (Claude, GPT-4o, DeepSeek)
- +Strong agentic coding with Builder mode
- +Backed by ByteDance — well-funded and fast-moving
Limitations
- -ByteDance ownership raises data privacy concerns for some users
- -Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code/Cursor
- -Newer and less battle-tested than Cursor or Windsurf
- -No longer fully free — token-based pricing introduced Feb 2026
What Real Users Say
“Trae is shockingly good for the price. The Builder mode is basically Cursor Agent at a fraction of the cost.”
How It Compares
Similar Tools
Direct link — no affiliate relationship
Last updated: 2026-04-28