Trae
ByteDance's VS Code-based AI IDE — premium models, generous free tier.
Standout features
Trae is a VS Code-based IDE from ByteDance that ships with built-in access to premium models — a free Cursor alternative.
Worldwide search interest, indexed 0–100 · Google Trends.
Trae is ByteDance’s free, VS Code-based AI IDE — the “free Cursor alternative” with premium models built in.
- From ByteDance (TikTok’s parent); launched early 2025.
- Built-in Claude / GPT / DeepSeek / Gemini, selectable per task.
- Builder mode scaffolds whole projects from prompts.
- VS Code-based with a polished, modern UI.
Trae packs paid-tier capability into a free editor.
- Pick the model per task inside one IDE.
- Builder + Chat modes; MCP support and custom agents.
- VS Code extension compatibility.
- macOS, Windows and a browser Cloud IDE.
Free tier first, with newer token-based paid plans.
Trae fits cost-conscious solo work and learning.
- Solo developers and students wanting premium models free.
- Rapid prototyping on personal projects.
- People who like VS Code but want built-in AI.
- Enterprises or anyone with sensitive/proprietary code.
- Privacy-conscious developers (see below).
No tool is perfect — the trade-offs to weigh:
- ByteDance data policy — telemetry and retention concerns.
- Not for sensitive code — a non-starter for many enterprises.
- Context can drop on large codebases.
- “Why free?” — reasonable questions about the model.
- ✓Free access to premium models (Claude, GPT, DeepSeek)
- ✓Builder mode scaffolds whole projects
- ✓Familiar VS Code base + extensions
- ✓Generous free tier; cloud IDE option
- ✓Active, fast development
- ✕ByteDance telemetry/data-retention concerns
- ✕Not suitable for sensitive or enterprise code
- ✕Context can drop on large codebases
- ✕Questions about the long-term free model
Developers are pleasantly surprised that a free IDE ships with Claude and GPT and a working Builder mode — for personal projects many call it the best free option. The dominant caveat, raised repeatedly, is ByteDance’s data handling, which makes it a non-starter for sensitive or enterprise code. Sentiment splits sharply by use case.
Trae is built by ByteDance, the Chinese technology company that also owns TikTok.
Company figures are drawn from public disclosures and reputable trackers (gathered Jun 2026). User and revenue numbers are estimates and move fast.
Pick up to two other coding tools to see them head-to-head on the same rubric.