The best free and open-source AI coding tools
AI coding tools add up fast: a subscription here, API bills there. The good news is that free and open-source options are good enough to build a real project. This guide compares the main ones, explains when each fits, and lists what to check before you rely on them.
What does “free” mean here?
The word is used in different ways, and mixing them up causes surprises on the bill:
- Open source: the tool's code is public. That does not mean the model it connects to is free.
- Free with your own key (BYOK): the tool has no subscription, and you pay the model provider.
- A limited free tier: you use it up to a daily or monthly cap.
- Free during preview: free now, and it may change when the preview ends.
An example of the difference: according to Analytics Vidhya, even OpenCode's costs can come from provider tokens, its Zen and Go services, or hardware if you run models locally.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Type | Free tier | Open source? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenCode | Coding agent for terminal, desktop and IDE | Yes (your own key, plus free models available through it) | Yes (MIT) | 75+ model providers, including local ones |
| Antigravity | Full IDE | Free during preview (at the time of the ranking) | No | Multiple agents and Chrome automation |
| Kimi Code | Terminal coding agent | Yes | Yes | Supports self-hosting |
| GitHub Copilot | Editor extension | Yes | No | Prices from free to $39 |
| Cursor | IDE | Yes | No | From free to $200 |
| Windsurf | IDE | Yes | No | From free to $60 |
| Claude Code | Terminal coding agent | No free tier | No | For comparison: $20 to $200 |
Source: LogRocket's July 2026 tables. Treat this as a starting point, since prices and limits change.
OpenCode: the strongest open-source option
OpenCode is an open-source coding agent under the MIT license that runs in the terminal, as a desktop app, or inside your editor. According to its official site it connects to 75+ model providers through Models.dev, including local models, and it includes some free models. In LogRocket's July 2026 ranking it came first.
- It feeds compiler diagnostics to the model through LSP, which LogRocket says no other tool in its comparison does.
- It supports background sub-agents and an air-gapped mode for regulated organisations.
- LogRocket cites a Builder.io test in which it was 78% slower than Claude Code on the same model, but wrote more tests (21 extra in the head-to-head).
- Pricing mentioned: free with your own key, a Go plan at $10, and Zen pay-as-you-go.
Install with one command, then run it from your project folder:
curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/install | bashopencodeInside, use /connect to link a model provider and /init so it learns your project structure. On Windows you can use scoop install opencode or choco install opencode. A warning from the docs: OpenCode 1 and OpenCode 2 use the same command and cannot live side by side, so pick one.
Ollama: a model on your own machine
If your code is sensitive or you want no bills, running the model locally solves both. Ollama does more than chat: it can launch coding agents with a local model. Its official docs list OpenCode among the supported tools, so from your project folder try:
ollama launch opencodeThen choose the model when asked. LogRocket says OpenCode's air-gapped mode with Ollama means no data leaves your machine. On hardware, Ollama's docs recommend 8 GB of free VRAM or unified memory for their example model, and with less it uses system RAM at lower speed. For the full details read our guide: How to run AI models on your own machine with Ollama.
Antigravity: a full IDE, free while the preview lasts
Google's Antigravity came fifth in LogRocket's ranking. Its main point is that it is free during the preview, with coordination between several agents, built-in Chrome automation, and a wide choice of free models. LogRocket also lists a Google AI Pro plan at $19.99. Read their explainer: Antigravity and Gemini 3 on LogRocket.
Kimi Code: an open-source agent with a free tier
LogRocket describes it as open source with self-hosting support and pricing that starts at free. In the same tables the open Kimi K2.6 model scored 1514 on WebDev Arena, the highest open-source model there, against 1653 for the top closed model. Explainer: Agentic AI with Kimi K2 on LogRocket.
The free tiers of Copilot, Cursor and Windsurf
All three offer a free tier according to LogRocket, but a limited one. Use it to try working inside the editor before you decide to pay. They are not open source, so read the privacy policy if your code is sensitive.
Which one should you choose?
- Zero budget and a strong machine: OpenCode with Ollama.
- Zero budget and a modest machine: OpenCode with the free models it offers, or Antigravity while the preview is free.
- A full IDE without a subscription: Antigravity or the free tiers of Copilot, Cursor and Windsurf.
- Sensitive code: fully local (OpenCode with Ollama).
- Best quality at any price: paid tools and models lead the rankings, and the free options may not be enough.
Before you rely on a free tool
- Where does your code go? Local or an outside server? Is it stored or used for training?
- What are the limits? A daily cap, request rate, or blocked models.
- Is the free offer temporary? Especially in a preview.
- What is the license? For example MIT, which lets you use and modify it.
- Try it for a week on a small project before moving your work.
- Keep a fallback: do not tie your whole workflow to one tool.
FAQ
Are open-source tools completely free?
The tool itself, yes. But models can cost tokens if you use an outside provider. You avoid that by running a local model or using free models the tool offers.
Are local models as good as cloud models?
On ordinary machines they are usually weaker than the best closed models, but they are enough for many tasks. Test on your own project before judging.
Do these tools work in Arabic?
That depends on the model you choose, not the tool. Test it with Arabic instructions and questions from your field.
A new tool every day
I post a free AI tool on X every day, and all sources and paths live in the library.