Bottom line: Kilo Code is a free, open-source (MIT) AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal, with access to 500+ models — including genuinely free hosted models, local models via Ollama or LM Studio, and bring-your-own-key at provider rates with zero markup. The software costs $0 for individuals. What is not automatically free is inference and cloud compute, and Kilo’s pricing FAQ hides two money details most roundups miss: a 5% processing fee on credit purchases that stays non-refundable even if the purchase is refunded, and paid credits that expire after one calendar year.
What does Kilo Code actually do?
Kilo is an agentic coding tool, not just autocomplete. It ships specialized agents — Code (writes and edits), Plan (designs before implementation), Debug (traces errors) and Ask (answers questions about your codebase) — and indexes your repository so prompts are grounded in your files. It runs in VS Code, JetBrains, as a CLI, and as Cloud Agents. Through one picker you can choose from 500+ models including Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Qwen and local models, or let Auto Model route between Frontier, Efficient or Free tiers.
That model freedom is its difference from editor-locked tools. If you like the agent-in-VS-Code idea but want a smaller, terminal-first setup, Cline is the other free open-source agent we have covered, and Goose takes the same local-first idea beyond coding. If you prefer a dedicated AI editor instead, Cursor is the paid-leaning alternative.
What is actually free, and what costs money?
| Part | Free? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Platform — Individual | Yes — $0 | VS Code extension, JetBrains plugin and CLI are open source under MIT; no subscription needed to start |
| Free hosted models | Yes — $0 | Models marked Free in the picker, including via Auto Free; no API key or credit card required for free models, per Kilo |
| Local models | Yes — $0 in tokens | Run models on your own machine via Ollama or LM Studio; you pay only your hardware and power |
| Bring your own key (BYOK) | Platform free; usage is not | You pay the model provider directly at its rates; Kilo adds zero markup |
| Kilo Gateway pay-as-you-go | No | Provider rates with no markup, plus a 5% processing fee on card credit purchases |
| Cloud compute | No | Code Review $0.33/hour; Cloud Agents $0.60–$1.20/hour, billed per second, charged separately from inference |
| Teams | No | $15/user/month for analytics, shared configuration and centralized billing; Enterprise is custom |
Checked on Kilo’s official pricing page and homepage, November 7, 2026.
What the pricing page doesn’t make obvious
The 5% fee does not come back. Kilo’s pricing FAQ states the processing fee applies to top-ups and Kilo Pass purchases — a $20 credit purchase costs $21 — and that “the processing fee is non-refundable, including when the associated credit purchase is refunded.” Paid credits also expire one calendar year after purchase, while free bonus credits keep their own deadlines. And BYOK is narrower than it sounds: your own key covers inference only, not cloud compute. You still need at least $5 in your Kilo credit balance to start a cloud container — Kilo stresses that $5 is not a launch fee, you pay only for awake time — but a pure-BYOK user who never buys credits cannot start one at $0.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Completely free, MIT-licensed clients for VS Code, JetBrains and CLI — no mandatory subscription for individuals
- 500+ models in one tool, plus local models and BYOK at provider rates with zero markup
- Real free route: free hosted models need no API key or credit card, according to Kilo
- Kilo says it never trains on your code, and local models keep code entirely on your machine
Cons
- Free hosted model list is promotion-dependent and can shrink when a provider’s free offer ends
- 5% processing fee on credit purchases is non-refundable, even on a refunded purchase
- Paid credits expire after one calendar year
- Cloud Agents and Code Review compute are billed separately from inference, and BYOK does not cover them
Who is Kilo Code best for?
Developers who want an agentic coder inside the editor they already use, without a seat subscription: solo builders, open-source contributors,. It is a poor fit if you want one predictable monthly bill with nothing to configure — a bundled editor subscription will feel simpler, even if it costs more.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kilo Code really free?
Yes for the software. The VS Code extension, JetBrains plugin and CLI are free and MIT-licensed, and individual platform access is $0 on Kilo’s pricing page. Inference and cloud compute are priced separately — free if you use free or local models.
Do I need a credit card to use Kilo Code for free?
No for free models. Kilo says you can create a free account, pick Auto Free or a model marked Free, and start without an API key or credit card. Buying Gateway credits is optional.
What does Kilo Code charge on top of model prices?
Zero markup on token rates, but a 5% processing fee on card purchases of credits (including Kilo Pass), and separate per-second cloud compute if you use Cloud Agents or hosted Code Review.
Do Kilo credits expire?
Paid credits expire one calendar year after purchase, per Kilo’s pricing FAQ. Free bonus and promotional credits have their own deadlines.
Verdict: Kilo Code is the strongest free coding-agent deal we have covered for model choice alone: keep your editor, keep your keys, pay $0 if free or local models do your job. Read the fee and expiry lines before you stockpile credits — that is where the free story gets fine print.