- What Replit's Starter plan includes
- The catch: your free app goes down after 30 days
- Replit Starter vs Core
- What Starter can't do
- How to get the most from Replit for free
- Who Replit Starter suits
- The Made with Replit badge and referrals
- What the monthly cloud credits cover
- Lite build vs Full build
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Replit is free to start. Replit's Starter plan gives you daily credits for its AI Agent, monthly credits for cloud usage and one free published app, though Replit says that published link automatically goes down after 30 days.
Replit is a browser-based place to build and publish apps, with an AI Agent that writes code from your prompts. Starter is the free plan, and Replit describes it as everything you need to create apps and publish your first project. It's useful for learning and quick prototypes. A few limits shape what you can build on it, and one of them matters a lot if you plan to share your app. Here's what's in Starter.
What Replit's Starter plan includes
- Daily credits for Agent, up to a monthly cap. Replit says these reset daily, giving you a fresh allowance each day.
- Monthly credits for cloud usage, covering production databases, object storage and publishing.
- Lite build, Replit's fast, focused build mode for quick edits and targeted changes.
- Design Canvas, for creating designs and publishing them.
- One free published app, built with Lite build or Design Canvas.
The catch: your free app goes down after 30 days
This is the detail to know before you share a link with anyone. Replit's docs say the published link for your free app automatically goes down after 30 days. That's fine for a demo or a class project. It's not fine for something customers rely on, because the link will stop working.
Replit also says your published app will include a Made with Replit badge that contains your unique referral link. Removing the badge needs Core, the plan above Starter.
Replit Starter vs Core
| Feature | Starter | Core |
|---|---|---|
| Agent credits | Daily, up to a monthly cap | More monthly credits |
| Build mode | Lite build only | Full build |
| Published apps | One free app | Unlimited |
| Made with Replit badge | Shown | Can be removed |
| Third-party connectors | No | Yes |
| Replit AI Integrations | No | Yes |
| Plan Mode | No | Yes |
| Turn a design into an app with a backend | No | Yes |
What Starter can't do
Replit lists the limits clearly. On Starter you can only use Lite build, while Full build, where the Agent works more independently, needs Core or Pro. External connectors, such as integrations with Google, Stripe and other third-party APIs, need Core. So do Replit AI Integrations, which let you use AI models without managing your own API keys, and Plan Mode, which lets you plan work with the Agent before it edits your app.
Starter builders can create designs in Design Canvas and publish them, but converting a design into an app with backend functionality needs an upgrade. Replit's tip is to start with Lite build if you want an app with a backend on the free plan. Building artifact types other than web and mobile apps, such as data visualisations or slide decks, also needs Core.
How to get the most from Replit for free
- Use your daily Agent credits each day, because Replit says they reset daily.
- Start in Lite build if your app needs a backend, rather than converting a design later.
- Keep prompts small and specific, since Lite build is designed for targeted changes.
- Publish your one free app as a demo, and note the date, because the link goes down after 30 days.
- Move to Core before you share the app with customers or need connectors.
If you're comparing AI builders, my guide to the best vibe coding tools covers how Replit stacks up, and my list of Replit alternatives shows other places to build.
Who Replit Starter suits
Starter suits learners, students and business owners who want to test an idea quickly in the browser. It's a weaker fit for anything that needs to stay online, connect to other services or look professional, because of the 30 day link, the badge and the connector limit.
The Made with Replit badge and referrals
The badge on free apps isn't only branding. Replit says it contains your unique referral link, and if another user signs up with that link, you'll receive referral credits once you move to a higher plan. So a free demo app can bring you credits for later, as long as people sign up through your badge.
What the monthly cloud credits cover
Alongside the daily Agent credits, Starter includes monthly credits for cloud usage. Replit says these cover production databases, object storage and publishing, both Autoscale and static, and reset each month. Keep your free app small, because a busy database or large file store uses those credits faster.
Lite build vs Full build
Replit describes Lite build as a fast, focused build experience for quick edits and targeted changes with the Agent. Full build lets the Agent work independently with more power and autonomy, and it needs Core or Pro. On Starter, break bigger ideas into small steps and ask for one change at a time, which suits how Lite build is designed.
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My verdict: Replit is free to start, and Starter is a good sandbox for learning and prototypes. Use the daily credits, build in Lite mode, and remember your free published app goes down after 30 days, so move to Core before anyone depends on it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Replit completely free?
Replit's Starter plan is free and includes daily Agent credits, monthly cloud credits, Lite build and one free published app. Core adds Full build, connectors and unlimited published apps.
How long does a free Replit app stay online?
Replit says the published link for your free app automatically goes down after 30 days.
Do Replit's free Agent credits reset?
Yes. Replit says Starter's Agent credits reset daily, up to a monthly cap.
Can I remove the Made with Replit badge for free?
No. Replit says removing the badge from published apps needs Core.
Can I use third-party connectors on Replit Starter?
No. Replit says external connectors, such as integrations with Google and other third-party APIs, need Core.
Is Design Canvas free on Replit?
Yes. Replit says Starter builders can create designs in Design Canvas and publish them, but converting a design into an app with backend functionality needs Core.
What is Lite build on Replit?
Replit says Lite build is a fast, focused build experience for quick edits and targeted changes with the Agent. It's the build mode available on Starter.
