I'll search for information about TRAE to create a comprehensive listing page.Let me fetch more detailed information from TRAE's documentation and website.# TRAE — Cursor alternative
AI-powered development environment that autonomously builds complete software solutions.
TRAE is developed by ByteDance and built on VS Code foundation. The platform offers automatic task breakdown, code analysis, and real-time assistance through Builder and Chat modes. Solo developers prefer it for its completely free tier with full access to premium AI models and familiar VS Code interface. TRAE stands as one of the emerging Cursor alternatives in the AI coding space.
Strengths
- Completely free tier provides unlimited access to premium models and all features
- Pro plan costs $3 for first month, then $10/month with 600 fast requests to premium models
- Built on familiar VS Code foundation making transition seamless for existing users
- Automatic task breakdown and agentic workflow automation for complex development tasks
- Supports multiple programming languages and integrates with popular IDEs including IntelliJ
- No rate limits on Pro plan with faster access to Claude Sonnet 4
Weaknesses
- Significant telemetry and data collection raising privacy concerns for developers
- ByteDance ownership may raise data security concerns for some enterprise users
- Documentation and community resources are less mature than established alternatives
- Limited information available about specific context window sizes and model capabilities
- Newer platform means fewer third-party integrations and extensions compared to competitors
Best for
Developers seeking a free AI coding assistant with premium model access and familiar VS Code interface.
Pricing plans
- Free Tier — $0/month — Full access to premium models, all features, unlimited usage
- Pro Plan — $3 first month, $10/month after — 600 fast requests to premium models, no rate limits, priority access to Claude Sonnet 4
- Annual Pro — $90/year — Same benefits as monthly Pro plan with annual discount
Tech details
- Type: AI-powered IDE and coding assistant
- IDEs: Standalone desktop application based on VS Code, IntelliJ plugin available
- Key features: Automatic task breakdown, Builder and Chat modes, real-time code assistance, intelligent code generation, version control integration, project management
- Privacy / hosting: Local-first architecture emphasized, though extensive telemetry system present. Cloud-based AI model inference.
- Models / context window: Claude Sonnet 4, GPT-4, multimodal input support. Specific context window sizes unknown.
When to choose this over Cursor
- You need completely free access to premium AI models without usage limits
- You prefer a familiar VS Code-based interface without learning new shortcuts
- Budget constraints make $10/month more attractive than Cursor's $20/month pricing
When Cursor may be a better fit
- Data privacy and minimal telemetry are critical requirements for your workflow
- You need established enterprise support and mature documentation resources
- Brand reputation and Western corporate backing matter for compliance requirements
Conclusion
TRAE provides a compelling free alternative with premium model access and VS Code familiarity. The aggressive pricing undercuts competitors while maintaining feature parity. Privacy-conscious developers should evaluate ByteDance's data collection practices. The platform suits budget-focused solo developers willing to accept newer tooling trade-offs.
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