Zed
Zed: A capable free editor for collaborative teams, with paid AI tiers that cost more. Ranked #7 of 82 in Text Editors by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Free plan · 14-day trial; best for modern teams wanting collaborative editing.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forModern teams wanting collaborative editing
- Free planYes
- Paid from$10/mo
- Multi-cursor editingYes
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes Git, debugging, extensions, agents, and collaboration
- Supports macOS, Linux, and Windows with broad developer tooling
- Native editing, Git, Vim-style, AI, and real-time collaboration features
Where it doesn't
- Pro costs $10 per month after the free Personal plan
- Advanced business controls require the $30-per-seat monthly plan
- AI usage beyond included Pro capacity is billed based on usage
Our verdict on Zed
Zed is a desktop code editor for software developers who want fast editing, collaboration, and integrated AI workflows. It runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows, and combines multibuffer editing, native Git operations, language-server support, debugging, Vim-style modal editing, extensions, agent integrations, edit predictions, real-time collaboration, and screen sharing. The Personal plan is free forever, while a 14-day free trial is available for paid features. Its open-source codebase, including GPLv3 licensing for most of the application, may also appeal to teams that value inspectable software foundations.
Pricing is straightforward across three plans. Personal costs $0 and includes 2,000 accepted edit predictions, plus unlimited use with personal API keys or external agents. Pro costs $10 per month and adds unlimited edit predictions, included token usage, and usage-based billing beyond that allowance. Business costs $30 per seat per month and adds organization-wide AI model policies, data governance controls, unified spend visibility, and role-based access controls. According to the vendor's pricing structure, the free tier already covers substantial editor functionality, while the paid tiers focus more heavily on hosted AI capacity and organizational administration.
Zed's main strength is breadth within a desktop editor: Git, language servers, debugging, macros, visual block selections, column editing, extensions, MCP servers, and collaboration are available alongside AI workflows. Integrations include GitHub Copilot, OpenAI API, Anthropic API, and Google AI, giving teams several ways to connect their preferred tools. Choose Zed if your team wants a modern editor with collaboration and flexible agent integrations across three desktop platforms. Consider another editor if minimizing recurring AI costs is the priority or if your workflow does not need its broader collaboration and agent feature set.
Your product? Our editors can test Zed in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Zed pricing
Zed fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $10/mo |
| Supported platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Multi-cursor editing | Yes |
| Macro recording | Yes |
| Column editing | Yes |
| Large-file handling | Not verified |
| Extension support | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, SourceHut, Tangled, Codeberg |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | zed.dev |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Zed integrations
Zed lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Bitbucket
- SourceHut
- Tangled
- Codeberg
Alternatives to Zed
- Visual Studio CodeA free, open-source editor with broad development features across desktop and web.9.4
- NeovimA free, open-source editor for keyboard-driven workflows and deep customization.9.3
- GNU EmacsA mature, highly customizable editor for users who value breadth and control.9.2
Zed vs the competition
Compare Zed with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Zed is ranked in 14 of our directories; the 6 strongest besides Text Editors.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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