What is Zed?
Zed is an open-source code editor from Zed Industries, the team behind Atom and Tree-sitter. It is designed for responsive software development, real-time multiplayer collaboration, and optional AI-assisted coding. Developers can use it as a conventional editor without AI, connect their own API keys or external coding agents, or subscribe to access Zed-hosted models and edit predictions.
The editor is built with GPUI, Zed Industries' GPU-accelerated user interface framework for Rust. Zed also supports the Agent Client Protocol, which is intended to connect compatible development clients and agents.
Key Features
- High-performance editing: Zed focuses on low-latency interaction and uses a GPU-accelerated interface built with GPUI.
- Multiplayer collaboration: Developers can work together inside the editor through its built-in collaborative development features.
- Optional AI assistance: AI features can be disabled, used through supported external agents and personal API keys, or accessed through Zed-hosted models on paid plans.
- Edit predictions: Pro and Business plans provide unlimited edit predictions for AI-assisted development.
- Agent connectivity: Agent Client Protocol support allows compatible clients and coding agents to communicate.
- Open-source codebase: The editor is open source, giving developers visibility into its implementation and development.
Use Cases
- Writing, navigating, and maintaining software projects in a responsive desktop editor.
- Collaborating with other developers in shared coding sessions.
- Working with external tools such as Claude Agent or Codex CLI through the free Personal plan.
- Using hosted AI models and edit predictions during individual development.
- Managing organizational AI policies, data controls, roles, and spending across a development team.
Pricing
The Personal plan is free and includes the editor, multiplayer collaboration, and unlimited use with personal API keys or external agents. Pro costs $10 per month and includes unlimited edit predictions, $5 in hosted-model tokens, and usage-based billing after the included amount. A 14-day Pro trial is available without a credit card and ends when its token balance is used or the trial period expires. Business costs $30 per seat per month and adds organization-wide AI policies, data governance controls, spending visibility, and role-based access controls. Hosted AI usage may incur additional charges.
Who Is It For?
Zed is for individual developers who want a fast, open-source desktop editor, programmers who use AI coding agents or their own model credentials, and teams that need collaborative editing. Its Business plan is aimed at organizations requiring central control over hosted AI features, data-sharing policies, access, and billing.
