JetBrains Announces Free Access to WebStorm and Rider for Non-Commercial Use

In an exciting development for developers and hobbyists, JetBrains has announced that WebStorm and Rider are now available for free for non-commercial use. This initiative is aimed at making their powerful IDEs more accessible to a broader audience, particularly those engaged in learning, open-source projects, content creation, and personal development.

Key Highlights of the Announcement

• Free for Non-Commercial Use: Both WebStorm and Rider can now be used at no cost for non-commercial activities. This includes learning new skills, contributing to open-source projects, creating content, or working on personal projects.

• Increased Accessibility: By lowering the barrier to entry, JetBrains hopes to empower non-commercial developers and hobbyists with access to high-quality development tools.

• Existing Licenses Remain Unchanged: For those using these IDEs in commercial settings, the current licensing structure remains intact. Users with commercial licenses will continue enjoying full access to all features without any changes.

• Anonymous Data Collection: As part of this initiative, anonymous usage statistics will be collected from users of the non-commercial version to help improve the products. Users should be aware that opting out of this data collection is not currently an option.

How to Get Started

To start using WebStorm or Rider for non-commercial purposes:

1. Install the IDE: Download and install your chosen IDE from the JetBrains website.
2. Select Non-Commercial Use: Upon starting the IDE, select the “Non-commercial use” option in the license dialog.
3. Create or Log In to Your JetBrains Account: You will need to log in or create a JetBrains account and accept the Toolbox Subscription Agreement for Non-Commercial Use.

Important Considerations

• The non-commercial license is applicable only for versions released after Rider 2024.2.7 and WebStorm 2024.2.4.
• Separate licenses are required if you wish to use both Rider and WebStorm under the non-commercial terms.
• The initiative operates on an honor system; users are trusted not to misuse the terms. However, JetBrains may implement stricter measures based on future evaluations.

Conclusion

This move by JetBrains represents a significant opportunity for learners, hobbyists, and open-source contributors who can now leverage powerful development tools without financial constraints. As technology continues to evolve, initiatives like this play a crucial role in fostering innovation and creativity within the developer community.

Stay tuned for more updates as we explore the latest trends and tools in software development!

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
—Peter Drucker