Updated for 2026
ZCodevs
Trae
Not sure which fits your workflow in 2026? Compare pricing, features, and trade-offs — then switch tools below to explore more options in this category.
ai-ide
ZCode
ZCode is Zhipu’s agentic coding product with a visual desktop workspace, GLM-optimized agents, MCP, and skills.
Visit ZCodeai-ide
Trae
Trae is China's first AI-native IDE, launched by ByteDance in January 2025 (International) and March 2025 (Domestic), competing with Cursor and Windsurf. Key features: dual development modes (IDE & SOLO), natural language coding support, and built-in major AI models
Visit TraeBasics
| Feature | ZCode | Trae |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |
| Company | Zhipu AI (Z.ai) | ByteDance |
| Country | China | China |
| Region / Availability | Global (China-friendly) | Global (strong China availability) |
Pricing comparison
| Plan | ZCode | Trae |
|---|---|---|
| Model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Starts at | $16/mo | $3/mo |
| Plan 1 | Lite: $16/mo | Free: Free |
| Plan 2 | Pro: $65/mo | Lite: $3/moInfinite auto-completion, multi-mode support, 2 concurrent cloud tasks. |
| Plan 3 | Max: $144/mo | Pro: $10/moMore credits, unlimited auto-completion, multi-mode support, 10 concurrent cloud tasks. |
| Plan 4 | — | Pro+: $30/mo3.5x Pro credits. |
| Plan 5 | — | Ultra: $100/mo20x Pro credits, priority access to advanced models. |
Feature checklist
| Feature | ZCode | Trae |
|---|---|---|
| Visual IDE UI | ✓ | ✓ |
| OS Platforms | macOS / Windows / Linuxhttps://zcode.z.ai/en#all-downloads | macOS / Windows / Linuxhttps://www.trae.ai/download |
| Third-party Models | ✓https://zcode.z.ai/cn/docs/configuration | ✓https://docs.trae.cn/ide_models |
| MCP / Plugins | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skills Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| VS Code Extension | ✗ | ✓https://www.trae.cn/plugin |
| JetBrains Plugin | ✗ | ✓https://www.trae.cn/plugin |
| AI Autocomplete | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chat / Inline Agent | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-file Edit | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codebase Indexing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Terminal Integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local LLM Support | ✓https://zcode.z.ai/cn/docs/configuration | ✓https://docs.trae.cn/ide_models |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✗ |
| Team Collaboration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Privacy Mode | ✗ | ✓ |
| VS Code Compatible | ✗ | ✓ |
| Autonomous Agent | ✓ | ✓ |
| Git Integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use Case | AI coding assistant focused on China-region developer workflows | ByteDance AI IDE for everyday coding with strong China-region availability |
Pros & cons
ZCode
- Desktop agentic workspace optimized for GLM
- MCP + skills + sub-agents
- BYOK support for other providers
- Smaller global community than Cursor
- Not a VS Code fork — migration cost
- Enterprise story still maturing
Trae
- Dual-mode switching: IDE mode and AI Agent task mode
- Modern AI IDE feature set
- Fast iteration from ByteDance engineering
- Data residency concerns for some teams
- English docs / community still growing
- Enterprise SSO story less mature
Dimension scores
Editorial 0–10 scores across shared dimensions — higher is better for that axis.
| Dimension | ZCode | Trae |
|---|---|---|
| Capability | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Privacy | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Value | 7.5 | 8.0 |
| Depth | 6.0 | 7.5 |
| Ecosystem | 5.0 | 7.5 |
| DX | 6.8 | 7.5 |
- ZCode
- Trae
FAQ
Is ZCode better than Trae? (2026)
It depends on workflow. ZCode emphasizes zhipu’s agentic ai coding environment with glm models, mcp, and skills. Trae emphasizes bytedance’s ai-native ide focused on builder velocity. Use the feature checklist above for your stack.
Which use cases fit ZCode vs Trae?
- ZCode: AI coding assistant focused on China-region developer workflows
- Trae: ByteDance AI IDE for everyday coding with strong China-region availability
What are the main differences between ZCode and Trae?
- VS Code Extension: ZCode (no) vs Trae (yes)
- JetBrains Plugin: ZCode (no) vs Trae (yes)
- Privacy Mode: ZCode (no) vs Trae (yes)
- VS Code Compatible: ZCode (no) vs Trae (yes)
How do ZCode and Trae compare on pricing?
ZCode pricing overview:
- No fixed free tier listed
- Pricing model: subscription
- Starting from ~$16/mo
- Plan Lite: $16/mo
- Plan Pro: $65/mo
- Plan Max: $144/mo
Trae pricing overview:
- Has a free tier
- Pricing model: freemium
- Starting from ~$3/mo
- Plan Free: Free
- Plan Lite: $3/mo
- Plan Pro: $10/mo
Always verify current prices on the vendor site before buying.
Do ZCode and Trae offer a free tier?
- ZCode: No fixed free tier listed
- Trae: Has a free tier
Are ZCode and Trae open source?
- ZCode: no
- Trae: no
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Related alternatives
Disclaimer:Not Financial or Investment Advice, Educational/Dev Tool Comparison Only. Information may change; always verify pricing on the vendor site before purchasing.