Vibe Coding Costs¶
Summary¶
The hidden and ongoing expenses of building with AI coding tools — every iteration, bug fix, and conversation with the AI has a cost.
Cost Components¶
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| API tokens | Per-conversation costs with AI models |
| Iteration overhead | Each bug fix and refinement costs more tokens |
| Tool subscriptions | ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro, etc. |
| Infrastructure | Hosting, databases, third-party services |
Reality Check¶
- You cannot build a production-grade app for free
- Infinitely cheaper than hiring a developer, but not "inexpensive"
- One developer reported burning through $15 of credits in a single day on OpenRouter