AI-powered code assistant for real-time collaborative coding
Zed is a real-time collaborative code editor and code assistant built for developers who need low-latency editing, fast multi-file search, and built-in AI code actions; it targets professional engineers and teams who want an editor with collaborative cursors and AI completion, and offers a freemium model with a free tier and paid Pro/team options for heavier usage.
Zed is a collaborative code editor and code assistant that brings low-latency editing, multi-cursor collaboration, and built-in AI coding aids into one app. It provides instant local-first editing with real-time multiplayer cursors, fast workspace search, and integrated Git support. Zed’s key differentiator is its focus on sub-10ms keystroke latency and a native UI that supports simultaneous editing sessions, making it ideal for pair programming, remote teams, and open-source contributors. Pricing is accessible via a free tier for solo use and paid Pro/Team plans for heavier AI and collaboration needs.
Zed is a native, low-latency code editor aimed at delivering a modern alternative to long-standing editors by combining real-time collaboration with integrated code-assistant features. Launched as a focused editor product, Zed positions itself around the premise of reducing editing latency and enabling synchronous collaboration: multiple developers can join the same buffer with visible cursors, share terminal sessions, and edit files in real time. The product emphasizes a native rendering pipeline and desktop performance targets, and it integrates standard developer workflows like built-in Git, project-aware search, and keyboard-first navigation to reduce context switching.
Zed’s feature set includes real-time multiplayer editing with visible cursors and follow mode, workspace-wide fuzzy search across thousands of files with instant results, and rich language support via LSP integrations for diagnostics and refactoring. It ships with AI-assisted code actions: inline completions, code explainers, and “fix suggestion” workflows that can generate or refactor blocks of code. The editor supports multi-file edit operations, project-based terminals, and a persistent session model so collaborators can reconnect without losing state. Additionally, Zed provides extensibility points and an extensions system that hooks into language servers and tooling, while its UI surfaces — like split panes and a command palette — are optimized for fast keyboard-driven operations.
Zed offers a free tier that covers core editing, multiplayer collaboration for personal projects, and basic Git integration; the free tier is suitable for hobbyists and solo developers but may limit advanced AI usage or team management features. Paid plans add more AI usage, enterprise SSO, and team management: the Pro plan (paid monthly) unlocks additional AI minutes/requests, larger private collaboration sessions, and storage/backup features, while Team/Enterprise tiers offer centralized admin, single sign-on, and higher usage quotas billed per seat or custom pricing. Exact quota numbers and pricing vary by release cycle, so teams evaluating Zed should check the official pricing page for current per-seat fees and AI usage limits.
Zed is used by individual developers for rapid prototyping, by pair-programming engineers who need live cursors and follow modes, and by small teams that want a lightweight, collaborative editor without cloud lock-in. Example workflows include a Senior Frontend Engineer using Zed to reduce code-review turnaround by live-pairing on UI bugs, and a DevOps Engineer using session sharing to onboard new teammates to deployment scripts with real-time terminal sharing. For teams choosing between editors, Zed is often compared to Visual Studio Code and JetBrains IDEs, but it differentiates itself with sub-frame latency collaboration and integrated multiplayer-first UX rather than heavyweight plugin ecosystems.
Three capabilities that set Zed apart from its nearest competitors.
Current tiers and what you get at each price point. Verified against the vendor's pricing page.
| Plan | Price | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Personal use, basic collaboration, limited AI/compute quota | Hobbyists and solo developers |
| Pro | Exact price varies (paid monthly) | Higher AI usage, larger collaboration sessions, backups | Solo pros and freelancers needing AI credits |
| Team | Custom | Per-seat billing, SSO, admin controls, increased quotas | Small teams needing centralized management |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated support, compliance, custom SLAs and quotas | Large organizations and regulated environments |
Choose Zed over Visual Studio Code if you prioritize sub-10ms multiplayer editing and built-in session persistence for live collaboration.
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