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# Introduction
vibe Coding is fun…
Vibcoding is powerful…
Vibcoding isn’t cheap.
Cloud Code Max plan? \$100/month.
Cursor? $20/month + API usage.
Chat GPT? $20/month.
MCP Tools? Many start \$20 – \$30/month.
And if you’re building a complete workflow, you often need to more than one Among them
But what if I told you that you can wire code, build agents, ship full-stack apps, run MCP servers, use coding CLIS. And Integrate powerful AI models, For less than $10/monthIncluding coding projects + API usage + MCP servers?
yes
That’s exactly what I’m doing.
In this article, I will share mine Complete workflowHow do I save? Hundreds of dollars Every month, and I use the exact stack, which is smart to use, not pricey.
You will discover:
- Cheap coding plans like Sonnet 4.5
- Free Coding CLIS and MCP integration
- Open source coding model you can run locally
- Free API Providers for Dev Work
Let’s get into it.
# Inexpensive yet powerful coding projects
From the picture The GLM coding plan is powered by GLM-4.6
I am currently subscribed Mini Max Coding Plan And the GLM-4.6 coding plan, which gives me access to a top open source model at a fraction of the cost, plus the freedom to build my entire project at once.
- Minimax: Thanks for their Black Friday offer, it’s fair $2/month
- GLM Coding Plan: In general $3/monthvery cheap
You think their service is subpar or the models can’t compete with Anthropic. you will be Very wrong. I have used them for 2 months to build multiple web and machine learning projects. They are Fast, accurate, and truly understand the codebase. I love them.
I’m even planning Annual subscription For even bigger discounts (especially with GLM’s Black Friday deals). I highly recommend it.
# Free Coding Tools
From the picture Google AntiGravity Pricing
Here are some completely free (or freemium) coding tools that pack a punch, no subscription required.
- Kilo code (Best Agent vs. Code Extension): Sign up Free credit Immediately. , and add your credit card Even more free credit. Use them An open source or proprietary model. Great for troubleshooting issues in your codebase.
- Google Antigravity: Currently free With limitations of use. It’s similar to Cursor’s paid plan but with a standalone Built-in browser features And more.
- Gemini-CLI: Completely free Coding CLI tool. Hit the free tier limits? just wait a day, Limits renew automatically.
- Open code: The most powerful open source coding CLI tool. The best part: Free access to top models From leading companies (they offer to collect feedback for improvement).
- droid by factory: Excellent Coding CLI app To invoke terminal tools and understand your code base.. Comes with 1 month of free Pro planbuild and deploy without hitting boundaries.
These tools have saved me tons of time and money. Try them out.
# Free mcp servers
From the picture Bright Data/Bright Data-MCP
MCP servers are essential for fetching up-to-date documentation, searching for new tools, solving problems, adding memory layers, accessing open source tools/projects (via GitHub and Hugging Face) and enabling sequential thinking. The best part? All of them are free.
Here is a curated list Top Free MCP Servers To integrate into your workflow:
I have integrated them Cloudcode, Opencode, Droid, Clocode, and even Versuscodea game changer for productivity.
# Open source model
From the picture GPT-OSS
If you are privacy conscious and want to limit costs, try these open source coding models, run them locally Olma or LM Studio. They are similar to the proprietary model, but require higher RAM or GPU with enough VRAM.
Here is my first list for coding, terminal, and agent workflows:
- GPT-OSS: A versatile powerhouse for code generation and debugging.
- Minimax-M2: Lightning fast for complex tasks and terminal ops.
- Qwen3-Coder: Excel in agent flow and multidimensional reasoning.
Download face-to-face from Hug, fire locally, and code without limits.
# Free API providers
From the picture Model | Open router
is going cheap? why not free? These providers give you fast reviews on top models with generous free rates, without breaking the bank!
- Open router: Free access to models all year round. Grab your API key and integrate with Klocode, Opencode, or any tool.
- GroQ Cloud: Forever free levels with blazing speed.
- Bassetton: Free credit for fast, production-ready deployments from standard providers.
Pro tip: Take part in competitions (especially huggable faces) and get free credits from different AI models. I’ve raised $300+ this way. Stack them and code for free
# Final thought
Getting the most out of an AI model should never come at a price alone. Some providers like Anthropic make the experience painfully expensive. I was burned once 40 on just three pointers. An hour in, and that’s when I knew I needed better options.
So I started looking for alternatives that are Balanced. Tools that are reasonably priced while giving you solid performance and real value.
In this article, I’ve shared shortcuts and secret tools to get you going Vibe coding without breaking the bankincluding inexpensive and completely free setups you can start using today.
Abid Ali Owan For centuries.@1abidaliawan) is a certified data scientist professional who loves building machine learning models. Currently, he is focusing on content creation and writing technical blogs on machine learning and data science technologies. Abid holds a Master’s degree in Technology Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication Engineering. His vision is to create an AI product using graph neural networks for students with mental illness.