[FREE] AI Coding Agent Like Claude with GLM 5.3 and DeepSeek 4.1

Forget the $20/month subscription. FreeBuff lets you build websites and generate code using models like GLM 5.3 and DeepSeek v4.1 — completely free, in exchange for watching a few ads.

⏱ 5 min read 🛠 Beginner-friendly 💻 Windows & Mac 🆓 Free tool

AI Coding Free Tools GLM 5.3 DeepSeek Claude Code Alternative Web Development

If you’ve been eyeing AI coding tools like Claude Code or GitHub Copilot but can’t justify the monthly cost, there’s a new player worth your attention. FreeBuff is a free AI coding agent that surfaced recently on GitHub’s trending list — and the way it makes money is surprisingly clever: you watch ads, you get tokens.

I tested it firsthand to see how well it actually performs. Here’s exactly how to get started, step by step.

What is FreeBuff? It’s an AI coding agent available as a desktop app and a CLI tool. Instead of charging a subscription, FreeBuff shows you ads from various vendors. Those ads earn you token credits you can spend on code generation — no credit card required.

Available AI Models

Model	Free Hours	Good For
GLM 5.3 Flash	5 hrs	Coding tasks, website generation
DeepSeek v4.1	15 hrs	Complex code, general development
Memo 2.5	10 hrs	Lightweight tasks

Both GLM 5.3 and DeepSeek v4.1 rank in the top 20 on the AI Arena leaderboard. For a free tool, that’s genuinely impressive.

Step-by-Step: Getting Started with FreeBuff

Step 1

Install Node.js (if you don’t have it)

FreeBuff’s CLI runs on Node.js. Head to nodejs.org, download the installer for your OS, and run through the setup. This is a one-time thing — once it’s installed, you’re set for future projects too.

Step 2

Download FreeBuff

You have two options: grab the desktop app from freebuff.com for a visual interface, or install the CLI version directly from your terminal for a more developer-friendly workflow. Most beginners will prefer the desktop app.

To install via terminal:

npm install -g freebuff

Step 3

Sign In with Google

Open the app and sign in using your Gmail account. That’s it — no payment info, no credit card. Once you’re in, you’ll see your available token hours for each model on the sidebar.

Step 4

Create or Open a Project Folder

Create a new folder on your desktop for your project. In the app, click “Open Project” and select that folder. This is where FreeBuff will generate and save all your files.

Via terminal, navigate into your new folder first:

cd ~/Desktop/my-new-project
freebuff

Step 5

Choose Your Model and Start Prompting

Select a model from the dropdown — GLM 5.3 Flash is a solid starting point. Then type your prompt in plain English. Be as specific as possible for better results.

Example prompt that was tested:

Please create a website for a digital media agency.
Make it similar to [your-reference-site].com

Hit enter and let it run. FreeBuff will read the reference URL using its built-in browser tool and start building your files.

Step 6

Watch the Ads (and Be Patient)

While FreeBuff works, you’ll see ads from various sponsors. You can switch browser tabs — you don’t have to stare at them — but expect the generation process to take 15–25 minutes for a multi-page website. It’s significantly slower than paid tools, but then again, it’s free.

Step 7

View and Refine Your Output

Once done, open your project folder in VS Code or any editor using the “Open Workspace in Visual Studio Code” button in the app. Open index.html in your browser to preview the site.

FreeBuff generated a complete site with a home page, services page, contact page, and blog page in the test — all from a single prompt. The output looks like a solid starting point that needs your personal touch to make it truly yours.

Step 8

(Optional) Connect GitHub for PR Workflow

FreeBuff supports GitHub integration. Once connected, it can automatically open pull requests, suggest changes, and merge code — the same agentic workflow you’d expect from premium tools like Copilot Workspace. Look for the GitHub skill option when it prompts you during a task.

Honest Verdict: Is FreeBuff Worth It?

👍 Pros

• Completely free to use
• Real AI models (top-20 ranked)
• Desktop app + CLI options
• GitHub integration built in
• Can read live website URLs
• Works via Claude Code too

👎 Cons

• Much slower than paid tools
• Output looks AI-generated
• Ads are part of the deal
• Needs extra prompting to refine
• Limited token hours per model

For someone who can’t spend $20/month on Claude Code or Cursor, FreeBuff is a real alternative — not a toy. The output from GLM 5.3 and DeepSeek v4.1 is genuinely usable code. A full website in 20 minutes for zero dollars would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

That said, don’t expect it to replace a paid tool for production work. The speed difference is real, and you’ll spend time refining the output. Think of it as a free scaffolding tool — it gets you 70% of the way there fast, and you handle the rest.

Pro tip: Use detailed, specific prompts. Instead of “make me a website,” try “create a 4-page website for a digital marketing agency with a hero section, pricing table, testimonials, and contact form — modern and minimal.” The more context you give, the less cleanup you’ll do later.

Final Thoughts

FreeBuff isn’t going to replace the top-tier AI coding agents anytime soon. But for hobbyists, freelancers on a budget, or anyone just starting out with AI-assisted development — it’s one of the most generous free tools available right now. The ad-for-tokens model is a smart trade-off, and having access to models ranked in the AI Arena top 20 without spending a dime is genuinely valuable.

Give it a shot. Worst case? You watched a few ads and got a free website out of it.

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Disclosure: This post is based on a hands-on walkthrough of FreeBuff. It is not sponsored by or affiliated with FreeBuff or any of the model providers mentioned. All opinions are independent.