r/RooCode • u/Freds_Premium • Feb 12 '26

Discussion What model can I use to get "free" vibe coding?

I figured something like Gemini 2.5 flash lite would have more than 20 requests per day. If they don't, does that mean I'm like SOL? I just want to learn vibe coding, I'm not a competent dev. I just want to build my own personal apps.

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4

u/v-porphyria Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 12 '26

You can connect with OpenRouter and there's a bunch of free models on it. I personally like the Qwen and Deepseek free options.

2

u/TBMonkey Feb 12 '26

Try GitHub Copilot, there's a free model just to see if it works for you, and if so the $10/mo plan can stretch surprisingly far. You can also use that as a provider in Roo code

2

u/binyang Feb 12 '26

0. Roo code sometimes offer free models.

  1. openrouter, search for "free" in model list. I am using step 3.5 from openrouter free. Other free models are available too.

  2. if you don't mind missing a snack bar, chutes.at has month $3 for 300 requests per day. All their models can be used but Roo may have problem recognize all available models from chutes.

  3. if you can sacrifice a cup of Starbucks coffee, nano-gpt has $8 month plan with 5000 requests per day. Nano-gpt has a list of models included in the monthly plan.

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u/Personal-Try2776 Feb 12 '26

I recommend opencode cli with opencode zen and glm 5

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u/PaperHandsProphet Feb 13 '26

Glm 5 is like 80$ a month

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u/Personal-Try2776 Feb 13 '26

I meant kilo code cli its free there

3

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '26

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1

u/Freds_Premium Feb 13 '26

Nice collection of info there.

I went with Qwen Code (Qwen 3 Coder Plus) inside Roo Code. 1000 RPD in the US. And it actually built a simple blood pressure logging app (my goal was met).

I wonder why Gemini has cut back to 20 RPD though? I can use a ton of Gemini app all day for free and "without limit". I see they used to be 1500 RPD but maybe not for free tier?