JetBrains WebStorm and Rider Are Now Free for Non-Commercial Use

JetBrains has announced a significant change in its licensing model, making its popular integrated development environments (IDEs) WebStorm and Rider free for non-commercial use. This move aims to make these powerful tools more accessible to a broader audience, including hobbyists, students, and open-source developers.

What’s New?

Earlier this year, JetBrains introduced a non-commercial licensing model for its new IDEs, RustRover and Aqua. Following the positive reception, the company has now extended this model to WebStorm and Rider. This means that anyone using these IDEs for non-commercial purposes, such as learning, open-source projects, content creation, or hobby development, can now do so without any cost. However, the existing commercial licensing model remains unchanged for those using the tools for business activities (commercial use).

Why This Change?

JetBrains’ decision is driven by the desire to lower the barriers to entry for developers and to support the growing community of non-commercial users. According to surveys, a significant portion of developers engage in coding outside of their professional work, either as a hobby or for self-paced learning. By offering WebStorm and Rider for free in these contexts, JetBrains hopes to foster creativity and growth within the developer community.

Why WebStorm and Rider?

WebStorm, a JavaScript and TypeScript IDE, and Rider, a cross-platform .NET and game development IDE, are particularly popular among developers who code outside of work. WebStorm offers smart coding assistance for JavaScript and related technologies, while Rider supports a wide range of .NET applications and game development frameworks. The choice to make these specific tools free for non-commercial use reflects their widespread use in hobby and educational projects.

Commercial vs. Non-Commercial Use

The distinction between commercial and non-commercial use is clearly defined in JetBrains’ Toolbox Subscription Agreement for Non-Commercial Use. Commercial use involves any activity that generates revenue or is part of a business operation. In contrast, non-commercial use includes activities like learning, self-education, content creation, and open-source development. Users of the non-commercial licence will have access to the same features as those with paid subscriptions, including AI-powered code completion.

Privacy and Data Collection

One important aspect of the non-commercial licence is that users cannot opt out of the collection of anonymous usage statistics. This data helps JetBrains improve its products and is similar to the data collection practices in its Early Access Program (EAP). The company assures users that this practice complies with their Privacy Policy.

Future Prospects

JetBrains will monitor the outcomes of this initiative to determine if it can be expanded to other products. The company has a history of supporting the developer community through various initiatives, including the release of Community Editions for IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm. The new non-commercial licences for WebStorm and Rider are part of this ongoing effort to make high-quality development tools accessible to all.

In summary, JetBrains’ decision to offer WebStorm and Rider for free to non-commercial users is a strategic move to support and grow the developer community. By lowering the barriers to entry, JetBrains is enabling more developers to learn, create, and innovate without the constraints of licensing costs. This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the accessibility and use of these powerful development tools.

Buy Commercial JetBrains Licences

If you still require WebStorm or Rider commercial licences, Grey Matter can help. We are a JetBrains Platinum Reseller with exclusive pricing and valuable licensing advice. Please fill out the form below or message us on Live Chat to request a quote.