JetBrains' C/C++ IDE, CLion, is now free for non-commercial projects, including personal learning, open-source contributions, and academic purposes. This free version offers the full functionality of the professional edition, including code completion, refactoring tools, and debugger integration. Users need a JetBrains Account and must renew their free license annually. While primarily aimed at individuals, some qualifying educational institutions and classroom assistance scenarios can also access free licenses through separate programs.
JetBrains, the company behind a suite of popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), has announced a significant change to the licensing model for CLion, their cross-platform C/C++ IDE. As detailed in their official blog post published on May 24, 2025, CLion is now available free of charge for non-commercial use. This represents a substantial shift in accessibility for individual developers, hobbyists, and students who were previously required to purchase a license to utilize the software.
This newly implemented free tier allows users engaging in non-commercial activities to leverage the full feature set of CLion without any financial burden. This includes access to CLion's comprehensive code editing, navigation, and refactoring capabilities, its powerful debugger and built-in testing support, and its integrations with popular version control systems like Git. Furthermore, users of the free non-commercial license will receive all minor and major updates within the designated major version they initially download, ensuring they can benefit from continuous improvements and bug fixes.
The blog post emphasizes the distinction between commercial and non-commercial usage. Specifically, using CLion for any activity that generates revenue, directly or indirectly, is classified as commercial use and therefore requires a paid license. This includes using CLion for developing proprietary software intended for sale, using CLion while employed by a company even for internal projects, or using CLion to contribute to open-source projects that are part of a commercial venture. Conversely, activities such as personal projects, academic work, contributing to purely non-commercial open-source projects, and learning C/C++ are all permissible under the free non-commercial license.
JetBrains clarifies that this change is driven by a desire to make CLion more accessible to a wider audience, empowering individual developers and fostering the growth of the C/C++ community. They believe this move will encourage more individuals to explore C/C++ development and contribute to the software ecosystem. The company also reiterates its continued commitment to providing professional developers and organizations with the robust tools and support they require through their paid commercial licenses, which remain unchanged in terms of features and benefits. This dual-licensing approach allows JetBrains to cater to both individual users and commercial entities, balancing accessibility with the sustainability of their development efforts.
Summary of Comments ( 104 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43914705
HN commenters largely expressed positive sentiment towards JetBrains making CLion free for non-commercial use. Several pointed out that this move might be a response to the increasing popularity of VS Code with its extensive C/C++ extensions, putting competitive pressure on CLion. Some appreciated the clarification of what constitutes "non-commercial," allowing open-source developers and hobbyists to use it freely. A few expressed skepticism, wondering if this is a temporary measure or a lead-in to a different pricing model down the line. Others noted the continued absence of a free community edition, unlike other JetBrains IDEs, which might limit broader adoption and contribution. Finally, some discussed the merits of CLion compared to other IDEs and the potential impact of this change on the competitive landscape.
The Hacker News post discussing JetBrains' announcement of making CLion free for non-commercial use generated a significant number of comments, largely positive and expressing appreciation for the move.
Several commenters shared their personal experiences with CLion, highlighting its strengths as a C++ IDE. They praised its powerful refactoring capabilities, intuitive debugger, and seamless integration with CMake. Some compared it favorably to other IDEs like Visual Studio and VS Code, particularly for cross-platform development and its handling of complex C++ projects. The free availability for non-commercial use was seen as a boon for hobbyists, students, and open-source contributors.
A recurring theme in the comments was the potential impact this move could have on the adoption of CLion and the broader C++ ecosystem. Some speculated that it might attract new users to C++ development, while others believed it would strengthen CLion's position in the market. The discussion also touched upon the definition of "non-commercial use," with some users seeking clarification on what constitutes permissible usage under the new license.
Several commenters expressed hope that JetBrains would extend this free offering to other IDEs in their suite. There was also discussion around the business rationale behind JetBrains' decision, with some suggesting it was a strategic move to build a larger user base and potentially convert some non-commercial users to paying customers in the future. Others simply welcomed the news as a generous gesture from a respected software company.
A few comments mentioned potential downsides. One commenter expressed concern that this might lead to feature degradation in the free version or a shift in focus towards the paid version. However, these concerns were largely overshadowed by the positive sentiment surrounding the announcement.
Finally, several commenters shared links to related resources, such as the official JetBrains blog post and discussions on other forums. Overall, the comments section reflected a positive reception to CLion's new licensing model and an anticipation of its potential benefits for the C++ community.