If you're searching for "Trae AI," you're probably evaluating free AI coding tools and wondering if ByteDance's entry is worth trying.
Short answer: Trae is a capable free alternative to paid AI IDEs like Cursor. It's built on VS Code, integrates multiple AI models (Claude, GPT), and includes an autonomous "SOLO" mode for end-to-end development. The tradeoff is you're using a tool from TikTok's parent company, with the data privacy questions that implies.
What is Trae AI?
Trae is an AI-powered IDE developed by ByteDance. It launched in early 2025 and positions itself as a "10x AI engineer" that can independently build software solutions.^1
The product comes in two forms:
Trae IDE: A standalone desktop application built on VS Code's architecture
Trae Plugin: An extension for existing VS Code installations
Key features:
Free tier with premium models: Access to Claude, GPT, and other frontier models without subscription fees
SOLO mode: Autonomous agent that can plan, code, debug, and deploy across your entire codebase
Multi-agent orchestration: Run multiple AI agents on different tasks simultaneously
Integrated tooling: Browser, terminal, documentation viewer, and Figma integration in one workspace
Voice input: Speak your requirements instead of typing
SOLO Mode: Autonomous Development
Trae's flagship feature is SOLO—an autonomous coding agent that goes beyond chat-based assistance.^2
SOLO operates in two modes:
SOLO Builder: Fast execution. Takes an idea and turns it into a working product with end-to-end implementation.
SOLO Coder: Deep planning. Breaks down complex tasks, coordinates sub-agents for specialized work, and executes precisely.
The agent can:
Read and write files across your codebase
Run terminal commands
Browse documentation and websites
Integrate with external tools like Figma
Execute multiple tasks in parallel
Unlike simpler copilots, SOLO structures your ideas into docs, TODO lists, and plans before writing code. An "extended view" shows what the agent is doing, why, and what comes next.
Trae AI vs Cursor vs Windsurf
| | Trae AI | Cursor | Windsurf | |---|---|---|---| | Price | Free | $20/month Pro | $15/month Pro | | Base | VS Code fork | VS Code fork | VS Code fork | | Autonomous mode | SOLO | Agent mode | Cascade | | Multi-agent | Yes (parallel) | No | No | | Voice input | Yes | No | No | | Company | ByteDance (China) | Anysphere (US) | Codeium (US) |
Pick Trae if: You want free access to premium models and don't mind ByteDance handling your data.
Pick Cursor if: You want a polished experience and prefer a US-based company with clearer data practices.
Pick Windsurf if: You want a balance of features and price, with strong context memory across sessions.
The Privacy Question
Trae is developed by ByteDance, the same company behind TikTok. This raises legitimate questions about data handling that you should consider.
Independent analysis has flagged that Trae sends telemetry data and may transmit code snippets to ByteDance servers.^3 If you work with proprietary code, sensitive data, or in a regulated industry, this matters.
Some developers use Trae for personal projects and side work, but not for client or employer codebases. Others avoid it entirely. The choice depends on your risk tolerance and what you're building.
When Trae Falls Short
Enterprise adoption: Most companies with security requirements won't approve a ByteDance tool for internal use.
Ecosystem maturity: Trae is newer than Cursor or Copilot. The extension ecosystem and community resources are thinner.
Long-running automation: Like other IDE-based tools, Trae operates within your desktop session. It can't run scheduled tasks or work autonomously while you're offline.
Integrated runtime: Trae augments your local development environment. It doesn't give the AI its own persistent server with file storage, web access, and background execution capabilities.
Getting Started
Download from trae.ai (Mac, Windows, Linux)
Sign in with a Google or GitHub account
Start with the standard IDE, or enable SOLO mode for autonomous development
The free tier includes access to frontier models. There's no paid tier yet—ByteDance is subsidizing usage to build market share.
The Bigger Picture
Trae represents ByteDance's push into developer tools, following the same playbook as their consumer apps: free, feature-rich, and aggressive on growth.
For individual developers exploring AI coding tools, it's worth trying—especially if you're priced out of Cursor or Copilot subscriptions. Just be clear-eyed about who's building the tool and what that means for your code.
For workflows that need enterprise security, persistent state, or AI that can work independently of your desktop session, the tradeoffs point toward different architectures.
See more: Best AI coding assistant in 2025 | Windsurf vs Cursor | Cursor vs GitHub Copilot