Trae
FreemiumFree AI-powered IDE by ByteDance with Builder Mode for full-project scaffolding and access to Claude and GPT-4o models
What is Trae?
Trae is a free AI-powered IDE built by ByteDance on top of VS Code. Its standout feature is Builder Mode, which generates complete project scaffolding — files, code structure, and dependencies — from a natural language description. Trae provides free access to premium AI models including Claude and GPT-4o, making it one of the most generous free coding tools available. It supports multimodal input (upload screenshots or mockups to generate UI code), VS Code extensions, and MCP Protocol for tool integrations. Available on macOS, Windows, and as a browser-based Cloud IDE.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Solo developers, students, and rapid prototypers who want a free AI IDE with premium model access without subscription costs
Non-coding tasks like writing, design, or data analysis
Free (5,000 autocompletes/mo + premium model access) / Pro $
Yes
Completely free tier with premium model access
Built by ByteDance — data privacy and 5-year retention concerns
Bottom line: Trae scores 4.2/5 — a strong choice for Solo developers, students, and rapid prototypers who want a free AI IDE with premium model access without subscription costs. A solid option worth considering.
Trae Pricing
Free (5,000 autocompletes/mo + premium model access) / Pro $10/mo (unlimited advanced models)
Key Features
- Builder Mode — full project scaffolding from natural language
- Free access to Claude, GPT-4o, and DeepSeek models
- Multimodal input — upload screenshots for UI code generation
- VS Code fork with extension compatibility
- Cloud IDE — no installation required
- Custom agents and MCP Protocol support
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free tier with premium model access
- Builder Mode generates entire projects from descriptions
- Familiar VS Code interface with easy migration
- Multimodal input for design-to-code workflows
Cons
- Built by ByteDance — data privacy and 5-year retention concerns
- No Linux support yet
- Context drops on large codebases
- Free model access has request limits
Best For
Solo developers, students, and rapid prototypers who want a free AI IDE with premium model access without subscription costs
FAQ
What is Trae?
Trae is an AI-powered IDE by ByteDance. It provides code completions, inline chat, and multi-file editing capabilities, similar to Cursor and Windsurf but backed by ByteDance's AI models.
Is Trae free?
Yes. Trae is currently free during its launch phase. Future pricing has not been announced.
How does Trae compare to Cursor?
Both are AI-native IDEs based on VS Code. Cursor is more mature with a larger community. Trae is newer but free (Cursor Pro: $20/mo). Try both if you are evaluating AI IDEs.
What AI models does Trae use?
Trae uses ByteDance's own AI models alongside support for models from other providers. The specific model capabilities may evolve as the product matures.
Is Trae safe to use?
Trae is built by ByteDance (TikTok's parent company). Code may be processed on ByteDance servers. For privacy-sensitive projects, consider locally-focused tools or verify Trae's data handling policies.
Score based on product quality, usability, value, features, reliability, integrations & market trust. How we score →
Alternatives to Trae
📋 Good to know
Download Trae from trae.ai for macOS or Windows, or use the Cloud IDE in your browser. Open a project and start using AI chat and autocomplete immediately.
Code context is sent to ByteDance's servers for AI processing. Trae provides free access to Claude and GPT-4o models. No on-premise option available.
Trae is completely free, including premium model access. No paid tier exists. Hardware upgrades may help if working with large projects locally.
Low — familiar VS Code interface with built-in AI. Builder Mode for project scaffolding requires describing what you want clearly. Same UX as VS Code with extensions.
