Zed
A fast open-source code editor with a built-in agent, edit predictions, and support for external agents such as Claude Code and Codex through ACP.
- Free plan
- Free trial
- Agentic tool
- Mixed sources
- Verified 13 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 6 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Vendor and third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Zed?
Zed is a high-performance, open-source code editor from Zed Industries, written in Rust, with a native agent panel, Zeta edit predictions and real-time collaboration. It runs on macOS, Linux and Windows and can host external agents through the Agent Client Protocol.
- Best forDevelopers who value a fast, open-source editor
- PricingFree Personal plan; Pro $10 per month; Business $30 per seat per month. Free plan available.
- Main limitationNo SSO, SAML or SCIM was documented in one September 2026 profile.
- AlternativesCursor · Windsurf · Trae · compare all
Zed overview: who it is for and what it does.
Zed is a code editor built in Rust for speed, with multiplayer collaboration and AI features built in. Its agent panel lets developers ask an agent to make changes, while Zeta, Zed's open-weight model, powers edit predictions as they type.
Zed is open about where AI comes from. The free Personal plan allows unlimited use with your own API keys or with external agents such as Claude Agent, Codex and Gemini CLI connected through the Agent Client Protocol (ACP), an open protocol Zed builds with partners including JetBrains.
The paid Pro plan adds Zed-hosted models with a small included token balance and usage billed beyond that at list price plus 10%. A Business plan launched in May 2026 at $30 a seat, adding organisation-wide AI policies, role-based access and spend visibility.
Main problem it solves
Gives developers a fast editor where they can use AI agents and predictions without being locked into one model vendor.
Typical customer segment
Individual developers and teams; Business adds organisation controls, with order forms from 25 seats.
Target users
- Developers who value editor speed and native collaboration
- Developers who want to bring their own API keys or external agents
- Teams that want org-wide AI policies in the editor
Primary use cases
- Agent-driven edits in the agent panel
- Edit predictions with the Zeta model
- Running Claude Code, Codex or Gemini CLI inside the editor via ACP
- Pair programming with real-time collaboration
What makes it distinct
- Open-source editor built in Rust for performance.
- Agent Client Protocol support for external agents, so the editor is not tied to one provider.
- Low-cost Pro plan at $10 a month after a May 2026 price cut.
Zed features explained.
AI features
- Agent panel
- A native agent for making changes across files.
- Edit predictions
- Powered by Zeta, Zed's open-weight prediction model; Personal includes 2,000 accepted predictions and Pro is unlimited.
- Bring your own key
- Unlimited AI use on Personal with your own provider API keys.
External agents
- Agent Client Protocol
- An open protocol for plugging in agents such as Claude Agent, Codex, OpenCode and Gemini CLI.
- MCP
- Model Context Protocol support for tools, according to third-party reviews.
Editor and teams
- Multiplayer collaboration
- Real-time collaborative editing built into the editor.
- Business controls
- Org-wide AI policies, role-based access control and unified spend visibility on Business.
Zed pricing and plans.
Figures reported consistently by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 13 Nov 2026 against Zed (zed.dev) · Zed (zed.dev) · MacMyths.
Pricing model
Free editor; Pro subscription with a small included token balance and usage-based billing for hosted models; per-seat Business plan.
Free plan
Yes. Personal is free forever with 2,000 accepted edit predictions and unlimited use with your own API keys or external agents.
Free trial
Yes. A Pro trial lasts 14 days or until its $5 balance is used, with no credit card required.
Zed plans and prices (USD)
-
Personal
Free
n/a
Full editor, 2,000 accepted edit predictions, unlimited BYOK and external agents.
-
Pro
$10 per month
Monthly
Unlimited edit predictions and Zed-hosted models with $5 of tokens included; usage beyond that at API list price plus 10%.
-
Business
$30 per seat per month
Monthly
Org-wide AI policies, RBAC and spend visibility; order forms from 25 seats.
-
Enterprise
Custom
Custom
Listed by third-party trackers for larger teams with custom needs.
Prices from Zed's pricing page as recorded by trackers in September and October 2026. Zed cut Pro from $20 to $10 in May 2026, so older guides can show the higher price.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesZed integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Agent Client Protocol (Claude Agent, Codex, Gemini CLI, OpenCode)
- Bring-your-own API keys
- MCP servers
- Zeta edit prediction model
- Real-time collaboration
Supported platforms
- macOS
- Linux
- Windows
API
Zed is open source; external agents connect through the Agent Client Protocol.
Data import and export
Not reviewed for this profile.
Integration availability can depend on plan. Confirm with the vendor before you rely on a specific connector.
How Zed works as an AI product.
Attributes are listed only where documented. We do not infer autonomy levels, certifications or model capabilities.
Classification: Agentic tool. A human-directed tool that can plan, edit and run actions, with the user reviewing or approving changes. Developer: Zed Industries.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Supported models | Zed-hosted models including Claude, GPT and Gemini on Pro, the Zeta prediction model, and any provider through your own keys. [1] [3] |
| Tools and integrations | Agent panel, MCP servers and external agents through ACP. [2] [6] |
| Ability to execute actions | The agent panel edits files across a project; external agents bring their own tool sets. [6] |
| Execution environment | Runs locally in the desktop editor. [3] |
| Human-in-the-loop controls | Not documented in the sources reviewed. |
| Permissions and access | Not documented in the sources reviewed. |
| Memory and context | Not documented in the sources reviewed. |
| Deployment options | Desktop application; Business adds organisation controls. [3] |
| Data handling and privacy | Not documented in the sources reviewed. |
| Security and compliance | Business lists RBAC and org-wide AI policies; one 2026 profile notes no SSO, SAML or SCIM yet. [3] |
| Pricing and usage limits | Personal: 2,000 accepted edit predictions. Pro: $5 of tokens included, then API list price plus 10%. [3] |
| Languages and platforms | Editor for many languages via language servers; macOS, Linux and Windows. [3] |
| Limitations and known constraints | Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code; hosted usage beyond the included balance is metered. [5] [3] |
Primary tasks
- Agent edits in the editor
- Edit predictions
- Running external CLI agents in the editor
Best-fit workflows
- Developers who want a fast native editor with optional AI
- Teams using Claude Code or Codex who want an editor front end
- Pair programming sessions
Zed pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
- Personal is free with unlimited use through your own keys or external agents. [3]
- ACP lets developers run Claude Agent, Codex and other CLI agents inside the editor. [2]
- Pro costs $10 a month, below most AI editor subscriptions. [4]
- The editor is open source and runs on macOS, Linux and Windows. [3]
Limitations
Best for
- Developers who value a fast, open-source editor
- Developers who bring their own keys or external agents
- Small teams that want a low-cost AI editor
May be less suited to
- Organisations that need SSO or SCIM today
- Teams that depend on niche VS Code extensions
Top Zed alternatives and competitors.
Zed alternatives
Developers look for Zed alternatives when they need a VS Code-compatible extension ecosystem, enterprise…
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Explore →Related productWindsurf
An AI code editor with the Cascade agent and Tab completions, now sold by Cognition as Devin Desktop on…
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ByteDance's AI IDE, a VS Code-style editor with the SOLO agent and cloud tasks, priced from a free plan to…
Explore →Zed compared with similar AI coding agents.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Interface | Model choice | Free tier | Pricing model | Human oversight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zed | Open-source desktop editor with agent panel and ACP | Hosted Claude, GPT and Gemini, Zeta, or your own keys | Yes (Personal) | Free editor; Pro subscription plus metered hosted usage | Not documented in sources reviewed |
| Cursor Compare | AI code editor (desktop) with cloud agents | OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Cursor models | Yes (Hobby) | Monthly tiers; usage at model API rates | Not documented in sources reviewed |
| Google Antigravity | Desktop app, CLI and SDK (agent-first IDE) | Gemini models plus Claude and gpt-oss | Yes (weekly quota) | Bundled with Google AI plans; credit overages | Artifacts for reviewing agent work |
| Kiro | Agentic IDE, CLI and web agent | Open-weight and Claude models (per third parties) | Yes (50 credits) | Monthly tiers with credits | Specs reviewed before code (third-party) |
| Qoder | IDE, JetBrains plugin, CLI and mobile app | Qwen, Claude and GPT (reported) | Yes (basic models) | Credit-based subscriptions | Checkpoints and mobile approvals |
| Trae | AI IDE (VS Code base) with SOLO on desktop and web | Claude, GPT and other premium models (reported) | Yes (5,000 completions a month) | Token-based subscriptions from $3 | Not documented in sources reviewed |
Zed discussions and buying questions.
Zed questions and answers
What is Zed used for?
Zed is used as a fast code editor with a built-in agent, AI edit predictions and the ability to run external agents such as Claude Code or Codex in the editor.
Is Zed free?
Yes. Personal is free forever with 2,000 accepted edit predictions and unlimited use with your own API keys or external agents.
How much does Zed cost?
Free Personal plan; Pro $10 per month; Business $30 per seat per month. Hosted-model usage beyond the included $5 is billed at API list price plus 10%.
Which models does Zed support?
Zed-hosted models including Claude, GPT and Gemini on Pro, the Zeta prediction model, and any provider through your own keys.
Can I use Claude Code inside Zed?
Yes. Zed supports external agents, including Claude Agent and Codex, through the Agent Client Protocol, and the free Personal plan allows unlimited use with external agents.
Is Zed open source?
Yes. Zed is an open-source editor; paid plans add hosted models and team controls.
What are the limitations of Zed?
No SSO, SAML or SCIM was documented in one September 2026 profile. Hosted-model usage beyond the included $5 on Pro is billed at list price plus 10%. The extension ecosystem is smaller than VS Code's.
Which platforms does Zed run on?
Zed is documented as available on: macOS, Linux, Windows.
Is Zed an AI agent or an AI assistant?
We classify Zed as: Agentic tool. A human-directed tool that can plan, edit and run actions, with the user reviewing or approving changes. The classification is based on vendor documentation and is not an endorsement.
What are the main alternatives to Zed?
The main alternatives to Zed covered on Stack18 are Cursor, Windsurf, Trae and GitHub Copilot. See the Zed alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
When was the Zed profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 13 Nov 2026. 6 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Zed pricing Zed (zed.dev) Official Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- What Anthropic's New Claude Billing Means for Zed Users Zed (zed.dev) Official Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Zed MacMyths Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026 Used for dated plan figures and trial terms.
- Zed coding agent plans Developers Digest Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Zed Vibe Compare Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026 Used for strengths and limitations.
- Zed ToolJunction Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
Further official pages: Zed pricing (external)
Plans, features and status were checked against Zed's published pages and the third-party sources listed. Agent behaviour was not tested, and security certifications were not independently verified.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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