JetBrains just made CLion free for non-commercial use. No forms. No approvals. No watered-down features. Just download, log in with your JetBrains account, and you’re in.

If you’re into embedded development, C/C++, or Rust, this is big. It removes a barrier that kept many developers out. And it comes with something else that matters: JetBrains AI with unlimited cloud code completion.

What’s included in the free version

• The full CLion IDE – same features as the paid version
• JetBrains AI – unlimited cloud-based code suggestions and completions
• The Rust plugin – install it from the IDE or Marketplace
• Code With Me (Community version)
• Public support via forums and issue tracker

This version is meant for learning, hobby work, open-source contributions, or content creation. Not for commercial use. But for most personal or educational projects, that’s more than enough.

Why it matters

CLion was always a great tool – smart, stable, and deeply integrated with CMake, debugging, and toolchains. But for many, the price was a deal-breaker. Especially students, indie devs, or hobbyists working on personal projects.

That’s no longer an issue.

And JetBrains AI being included here is a smart move. If you’re learning or experimenting, it helps you write cleaner, faster code without jumping between docs and Stack Overflow.

This is also about trust. JetBrains is saying: “We believe in developers. Use our tools. Build something cool. If you go commercial, you’ll know when to upgrade.”

What you can build now (that you couldn’t before)

• Write C++ code for your Arduino or ESP32, with proper IDE support
• Learn C++ or Rust in a real development environment
• Contribute to open-source embedded projects
• Build tools in Rust, directly inside CLion
• Test out AI-assisted workflows for systems programming

If you’ve ever said “I’ll wait until I have a license” or “I’ll do it in VSCode for now” – this removes that excuse.

The bigger picture

CLion isn’t the first JetBrains IDE to go free for non-commercial use. WebStorm, Rider, and RustRover already did. It’s clear this isn’t just a giveaway. It’s strategy.

JetBrains is competing on experience, not price. And now that experience is available to everyone who’s building and learning – not just teams with budgets.

Final note

If you’re learning to code, building something in your garage, or exploring Rust or embedded systems, try CLion. It’s fast, clean, and now – free.

No strings attached.