The best free coding agents are open-source tools that you connect to a free or local model: OpenCode, Cline, Kilo Code, Aider, Goose and Qwen Code. GitHub Copilot CLI is included in the free Copilot plans. Claude Code has no free access, Codex's free access is the desktop app only, and Gemini CLI's free sign-in ended on 18 June 2026 when Google moved free access to Antigravity.
A coding agent reads your project, edits files and runs commands. The tool is often free, but the model behind it is the cost, so each entry says where the free model comes from. A lot changed in 2026: several free routes in older guides have ended.
The 14 picks
Swipe or use the arrows.
Free tool, rotating free modelsOpenCode
Open-source (MIT) terminal agent that connects to more than 75 model providers, local models or your existing ChatGPT or Copilot login. Its catalogue lists free models usable inside it, but they rotate and some are marked limited time. Reads AGENTS.md.
Free, bring your own modelCline
Open-source (Apache-2.0) agent for VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal that asks approval before each step. Free for individuals: you pay for your own model keys. It runs limited-time free-model promotions that change.
Free, Auto Free modelsKilo Code
Open-source (MIT) agent for VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal. Its Auto Free mode routes to free models with no setup, but prompts may be logged by the providers, so keep personal and confidential code out.
Free, you pay the modelAider
A terminal pair programmer (Apache-2.0) that edits your repository and commits each change, with any cloud or local model. Free; you pay only for the model API. Maintenance has slowed: the latest release dates from August 2025.
Free, you pay the modelGoose
A general-purpose open-source agent (Apache-2.0) from Block, now under the Linux Foundation, that runs on your machine and uses MCP extensions. Free; model cost is yours and it works with local models.
Free tool; free tier endedQwen Code
Alibaba's open-source (Apache-2.0) terminal agent that works with any OpenAI, Anthropic or Gemini-compatible endpoint. Its free Qwen sign-in tier ended on 15 April 2026, so guides that promise 1,000 free requests a day are out of date.
Desktop app on free planOpenAI Codex
OpenAI's coding agent: an open-source (Apache-2.0) command-line tool, IDE extension and cloud agent. Free and Go ChatGPT plans list Codex in the desktop app only, subject to rollout. The CLI also runs on an API key or a local model through Ollama.
Free plan, limited sessionsMistral Vibe CLI
Mistral's open-source (Apache-2.0) terminal agent powered by Devstral, which has a 24B model that runs on consumer hardware. The free plan has limited coding sessions with no published number; verified students get Pro for $5.99 a month.
Included in Copilot FreeGitHub Copilot CLI
A terminal agent that signs in with your GitHub account and is included in the Copilot Free and Student plans, using your plan's AI-credit allowance with automatic model selection. Supports your own keys and local models.
Free, 50 credits a monthKiro CLI
The terminal agent from the Kiro team, which replaced the open-source Amazon Q Developer CLI. It shares Kiro's 50 free credits a month. Closed source, and it does not take your own model keys.
Free, 15 tasks a dayJules
Google's cloud agent: connect a GitHub repository, approve a plan and it opens a pull request. The free plan allows 15 tasks per 24 hours and 3 at once, for ages 18 and over. The docs name older Gemini models, so the live model may differ.
Free terminal, bring your modelWarp
A modern terminal with a built-in agent. The free plan includes the terminal and the agent CLI with your own AI inference, but no bundled agent usage, so you bring a model or pay.
Free with your own keysAmp
A premium agent from a Sourcegraph spin-out. The free Hobby plan has every feature if you bring your own keys or link an existing subscription; free model credits are no longer listed on its pricing page.
Free, bring your own keyCrush
A terminal agent from Charm with code-intelligence context and MCP support. Free, source-available software under the FSL licence, which limits competing commercial use. You supply a model API key.
Compare in a table
Show the full comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|
| OpenCode | Open terminal agent, many routes | Free tool, rotating free models |
| Cline | Free extension, any model | Free, bring your own model |
| Kilo Code | Free agent with auto-picked models | Free, Auto Free models |
| Aider | Git-based pair programming | Free, you pay the model |
| Goose | Local-first agent with MCP | Free, you pay the model |
| Qwen Code | Open CLI with local or API models | Free tool; free tier ended |
| OpenAI Codex | Open-source CLI with an API key | Desktop app on free plan |
| Mistral Vibe CLI | Open model you can run locally | Free plan, limited sessions |
| GitHub Copilot CLI | Free agent through GitHub login | Included in Copilot Free |
| Kiro CLI | A terminal agent on AWS credits | Free, 50 credits a month |
| Jules | Hands-off pull requests | Free, 15 tasks a day |
| Warp | Terminal users with own keys | Free terminal, bring your model |
| Amp | Premium agent with own keys | Free with your own keys |
| Crush | A polished terminal interface | Free, bring your own key |
Get started this week
- Install Cline in VS Code and connect a free model route.
- Ask it to explain your project before it changes anything.
- Add an AGENTS.md with your build and test commands and re-run a small task.
How to choose
- Start with OpenCode, Cline or Kilo Code and a free model route, so you learn the workflow without paying.
- Keep personal and confidential code away from free model endpoints: some log or train on prompts.
- Claude Code has no free access: it needs a paid Claude plan or an Anthropic API key.
- Free quotas run out within days of heavy agent use, so plan to mix two or three tools.
Free plans change. Limits above were checked on 3 Nov 2026; confirm on each tool's pricing page before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free Claude Code?
No. Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan or an Anthropic Console API key billed per token. Open-source agents such as OpenCode, Cline and Aider are the free alternatives.
Is Gemini CLI still free?
Not in the way older guides say. Google moved free individual access to Antigravity on 18 June 2026, and the open-source Gemini CLI now targets paid Gemini Code Assist plans.
What is the best free AI coding agent for a beginner?
Cline in VS Code, because it asks approval before each step and works with free model routes. OpenCode and Kilo Code are good terminal and editor options.
Can I run a coding agent fully offline?
Yes. Run an open model such as Devstral Small 2 with Ollama or LM Studio and connect it to OpenCode, Cline, Goose or Codex CLI. It costs nothing per request but needs a strong laptop, and quality is below hosted models.
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