kitio.aiZed vs Theia IDE
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Theia IDE is completely free, while Zed is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Agent panel
- Edit predictions
- External agents via ACP
- Real-time collaboration
- Bring your own key
- Built-in AI assistance
- Any model, including local
- VS Code extension support
- Desktop and browser versions
- No telemetry on code
| Feature | Zed | Theia IDE |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Fast Rust code editor with built-in AI agents and edit predictions | Open-source AI-native IDE for desktop and browser |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $10/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Zed Industries | Eclipse Foundation |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Theia IDE is completely free, while Zed is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Personal
Free
- Free forever
- Use your own API keys or external agents
Pro
$10/mo
- Unlimited edit predictions
- $5 of tokens included
- Usage billing beyond $5
- 14-day free trial
Business
$30/mo
- Per seat
- Org-wide AI model policies
- Data governance controls
- Role-based access controls
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Zed
- Very fast and light on memory
- Works with your own keys or local models
- Open-source editor core
- Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
- Hosted model usage is billed on top
Theia IDE
- Free and fully open source
- Use any AI provider or local model
- Runs VS Code extensions
- You pay your own model provider
- Smaller community than VS Code
- Some extensions may not behave identically
Which one should you choose?
Choose Zed if you want:
- Very fast and light on memory
- Works with your own keys or local models
- Open-source editor core
Watch out: smaller extension ecosystem than vs code.
Choose Theia IDE if you want:
- Free and fully open source
- Use any AI provider or local model
- Runs VS Code extensions
Watch out: you pay your own model provider.
Zed vs Theia IDE FAQ
What is the difference between Zed and Theia IDE?
Zed: Fast Rust code editor with built-in AI agents and edit predictions. Theia IDE: Open-source AI-native IDE for desktop and browser. Both are coding tools.
Is Zed or Theia IDE cheaper?
Theia IDE is completely free, while Zed is freemium.
Do Zed and Theia IDE have free plans?
Zed: Yes. Theia IDE: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Zed?
Zed is made by Zed Industries, based in United States.
Who makes Theia IDE?
Theia IDE is made by Eclipse Foundation.
Which should I choose, Zed or Theia IDE?
Choose Zed if you value very fast and light on memory and works with your own keys or local models. Choose Theia IDE if you value free and fully open source and use any ai provider or local model.