AI Coding & Vibe Coding
Free Tools Guide
A comprehensive overview of accessible AI development tools with detailed free tier limitations and usage insights
Market Overview
14 leading AI coding tools analyzed with detailed free tier specifications and usage limitations
Generous Limits
Kimi AI leads with 1.5M daily tokens, while others offer unique credit systems and prompt-based access
Guide Overview
Key Insight: This guide provides a comprehensive analysis of free AI coding, "vibe coding," and research tools, detailing their free tier limitations including daily token quotas, prompt limits, and usage restrictions.
The landscape of AI coding tools has expanded dramatically, with platforms offering varying free tier access models. From Kimi AI's generous 1.5 million daily tokens to Lovable's 5 daily prompts, each tool provides different levels of accessibility for developers and researchers.
Understanding these limitations is crucial for effective tool selection and workflow planning. This guide synthesizes available information to help you make informed decisions about which tools best fit your development needs and usage patterns.
1. Kimi AI
Developed by Moonshot AI
Free Tier: Daily Token Limit
Kimi AI offers a substantial free tier, providing a daily allowance of 1,500,000 tokens 24 446. This generous allocation positions Kimi AI as highly accessible for developers and researchers.
Tokens encompass both input and output text processing. This high token limit allows for extensive interactions, including complex code generation, detailed research, and lengthy content creation. The clarity of this daily quota enables users to plan their usage effectively.
Usage Scenarios (Estimated)
2. Bolt.new
AI-driven development platform
Free Tier: Daily Token Limit
Bolt.new provides a daily token limit of 150,000 tokens 537 553, catering to a wide range of AI-driven tasks from coding assistance to content generation.
This allocation translates into significant code suggestions, bug fixes, or documentation generation. The daily refresh mechanism ensures consistent token supply for regular activities without upfront investment.
3. Lovable
AI coding assistant
Free Tier: Daily Prompt Limit
Lovable's free tier offers a daily limit of 5 prompts 165 391. This limit is more restrictive compared to token-based systems.
Each prompt can lead to substantial output, but users are limited to five distinct tasks or queries per day. This model is suitable for light or occasional use, testing capabilities, or handling quick tasks.
4. Grok AI
Developed by xAI
Free Tier: Rolling Prompt Limit
Grok AI implements a rolling prompt limit, allowing users 10 text prompts every 2 hours 539 560.
This approach provides a smaller, more frequently replenished bucket of interactions. Beneficial for users with sporadic but concentrated AI assistance needs, potentially allowing up to 120 prompts daily if used optimally.
5. Manus AI
AI agent platform
Free Tier: Daily and Monthly Credit Allowance
Manus AI offers 300 credits that refresh daily, plus a one-time bonus of 1,000 credits upon signing up 633 634.
Credits are consumed based on task complexity, involving LLM tokens, VM usage, and API calls. A data visualization task might consume 200 credits, while a complex web app could cost 900 credits 621.
6. Windsurf AI
Formerly Codeium
Free Tier: Monthly Prompt Credits
Windsurf AI provides 25 prompt credits per month 554, geared towards light users or those periodically testing the service.
This monthly limit offers flexibility in credit usage but requires careful budgeting. Users can distribute credits as needed throughout the month, approximately one significant interaction per day.
7. Replit Ghostwriter
Replit AI coding assistant
Free Tier: Resource Limitations
Replit Ghostwriter does not have a clearly defined daily token limit 606 608. Free users are subject to general resource usage limitations.
AI usage is bundled with computational resources like CPU, memory, and execution time. Extensive AI tasks might be throttled, queued, or restricted for free users, potentially affecting response times and task complexity.
8. Kiro by AWS
AWS AI development tool
Free Tier: Monthly Agent Interactions (Post-Preview)
Kiro is currently free during preview, but post-preview will offer 50 agent interactions per month 602 605.
An "agent interaction" refers to discrete tasks performed by the AI agent. This monthly quota suits users with moderate, periodic needs for AI assistance in project setup, deployment automation, or security scanning.
9. Google Firebase Studio
Google AI Code Assist
Free Tier: Preview Period Access
Google Firebase Studio is free during preview with no per-prompt charging 610, allowing extensive testing and integration.
This preview period offers excellent opportunities for developers to assess value. However, users should monitor announcements regarding future pricing and free tier structures post-preview.
10. Trae.ai
AI development platform
Free Tier: Usage Limitations
Trae.ai offers free accounts with "使用限制" (usage limitations) 443 590, but specific daily limits are not explicitly stated.
Limitations could encompass API calls, data processing volume, task complexity, or feature access. Users should consult official documentation to understand specific boundaries for free accounts.
11. Mitaa (秘塔) AI Writer
AI content generation
Free Tier: General Free Usage
Mitaa AI Writer provides a "free version is usable" 548 549, but specific daily usage limits are not detailed.
Free versions often include limitations such as article caps, word limits, watermarks, or restricted model access. Users should explore the platform to understand specific boundaries and features.
12. Youware AI
AI development tools
Free Tier: "Permanently Free" Status
Youware AI is described as "" (permanently free) 527, suggesting indefinite accessibility without charge.
This model may include feature limitations, advertising support, or premium service gateways. Users should investigate implicit limitations on usage volume, speed, or functionality for intensive tasks.
13. Devin AI
Autonomous coding AI
Free Tier: Undisclosed Daily Limits
No official daily usage limits have been found 529 528 for Devin AI's free tier parameters.
This could indicate closed beta status, commercial-only plans, or unpublished free tier details. Users should consult official sources for current accessibility options and limitations.
14. v0 by Vercel
AI UI generation platform
Free Tier: No Stated Daily Limits for Basic Generation
v0 currently has no official daily usage limits for basic generation tasks 537, suggesting very open access for core functionality.
This generous offering is excellent for rapid UI prototyping. However, "currently" and "basic generation" qualifiers suggest policy changes may occur as the tool evolves. Users should monitor Vercel's announcements.
Important Note on Free Tier Information
The free tier information provided in this guide is based on data available as of July 2025 537.
Specifics of free tiers for AI tools can change frequently. Providers may adjust offerings based on market conditions, operational costs, product development stages, and user feedback. Always verify current limitations directly with official sources before relying on any specific free tier for critical projects.