What AI tools do I need for a indie app / solo dev?

write & review code (Aider), plan & debug (assistant) (Khanmigo), design ui & brand assets (Framer). That's 3 jobs; you don't need one expensive all-in-one.

How much does an AI indie app / solo dev stack cost per month?

Picking the cheapest paid tool for each job, about $14/mo total. 3 of 3 jobs also have a genuinely free option, so you can start at or near $0.

Can I build a indie app / solo dev stack for free?

Yes — every job here has a free tier, so a fully-free stack is possible (with the usual free-tier limits).

The cheapest AI tool stack for a indie app / solo dev

Running a indie app / solo dev takes 3 AI jobs. Pick the cheapest solid tool for each and the whole stack costs about $14/mo — or as little as $0 using the 3 free options. Here's the build, with each tool's honest catch.

Shipping solo means wearing every hat, so the stack covers the three that slow you most: writing and reviewing code, a general assistant for planning and debugging, and quick UI/brand visuals so the product does not look unfinished. Here is the lowest-cost set, plus the strong free options developers actually use.

Job	Cheapest pick	From	Free option
Write & review code	Aider AI Coding	$5/mo	Cursor
Plan & debug (assistant)	Khanmigo AI Assistants & Chatbots	$4/mo	ChatGPT
Design UI & brand assets	Framer AI Design & Branding	$5/mo	Canva Magic Studio
Total to run this stack		~$14/mo (3/3 jobs free-capable)

The honest catch on each pick

Write & review code: Aider

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Best for: Terminal-native developers who want maximum model flexibility and full open-source transparency.

Watch out: Developers who prefer a GUI or managed IDE experience over a CLI workflow.

Has a free tier

Plan & debug (assistant): Khanmigo

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Best for: K-12 and college students who learn best through guided questioning rather than direct answers.

Watch out: Adults seeking a general-purpose productivity assistant or open-ended creative writing help.

No free tier — from $4/mo

Design UI & brand assets: Framer

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Best for: Designers and startups wanting design-grade, on-brand websites generated and published quickly.

Watch out: Teams needing a complex CMS-heavy or e-commerce backend rather than design-led marketing sites.

Has a free tier

← See all AI tool stacks

Frequently asked questions

What AI tools do I need for a indie app / solo dev?: write & review code (Aider), plan & debug (assistant) (Khanmigo), design ui & brand assets (Framer). That's 3 jobs; you don't need one expensive all-in-one.
How much does an AI indie app / solo dev stack cost per month?: Picking the cheapest paid tool for each job, about $14/mo total. 3 of 3 jobs also have a genuinely free option, so you can start at or near $0.
Can I build a indie app / solo dev stack for free?: Yes — every job here has a free tier, so a fully-free stack is possible (with the usual free-tier limits).