The End of an Era: Qwen Discontinues Its Free Tier OAuth Access

Alibaba’s Qwen has ended the Qwen OAuth free tier used with Qwen Code, marking the end of the no-cost sign-in option that many developers were using for terminal-based coding workflows. According to the official Qwen Code GitHub repository, the change took effect on April 15, 2026, and users are now directed to switch to Alibaba Cloud Coding Plan, OpenRouter, Fireworks AI, or their own API key.

Just two days earlier, Qwen had already signaled the shift by reducing the OAuth free-tier allowance from 1,000 requests per day to 100 requests per day on April 13, 2026. That update now reads like a final step before the full shutdown.

This matters because the discontinued tier was not some vague promotional perk. It was the official “recommended & free” authentication path inside Qwen Code, where users could sign in with a qwen.ai account through a browser instead of paying for API usage. The repository now shows that path as discontinued in its news section, even though the authentication documentation still reflects the earlier free-OAuth wording lower on the page. That mismatch suggests the product changed faster than the rest of the documentation was updated.

What exactly was discontinued?

The most precise way to describe the change is this:

The discontinued offering is the Qwen OAuth free tier for Qwen Code and related OAuth-based access, not necessarily every free way to try Qwen. The official Qwen Code notice specifically says “Qwen OAuth free tier has been discontinued” rather than saying all Qwen free access is gone.

That distinction is important because Alibaba Cloud’s Model Studio still documents free quota for new users in the Singapore region. That free quota can remain valid for 30 to 90 days, depending on activation timing, and applies to supported models under specific conditions.

So the headline is real, but the nuance matters:

• Discontinued: Qwen OAuth free tier for Qwen Code

• Still available in some form: Model Studio new-user free quotas, subject to region, expiry, and billing rules

Why this is a bigger deal than it sounds

For developers, Qwen’s free OAuth path had been one of the easiest ways to get started with an agentic coding workflow. No card setup, no provider juggling, and no separate API billing were required to test the experience. That made Qwen Code especially attractive to hobbyists, students, and developers comparing it against tools like Claude Code, Roo Code, or OpenClaw.

Now that the free OAuth route is gone, the barrier to entry is higher. Users who want to keep using Qwen Code need to move onto a paid or bring-your-own-provider setup. Officially, Qwen recommends four paths: Alibaba Cloud Coding Plan, OpenRouter, Fireworks AI, or a personal API key.

The ecosystem is already adapting. OpenClaw’s Qwen provider documentation now states plainly that “Qwen OAuth has been removed” and that the old free-tier OAuth integration is no longer available. It points users instead toward Qwen Cloud, DashScope, and Coding Plan endpoints via API keys.

What users should do now

If you were using Qwen for free through OAuth, you now have a few realistic options:

1. Move to Alibaba Cloud Coding Plan

This is the most direct “official” replacement if you want to stay inside the Qwen ecosystem. Qwen’s own repo lists it first among the supported alternatives.

2. Use Model Studio free quota, if eligible

This is the closest thing to a remaining official free path, but it is not the same as the old OAuth free tier. Alibaba says this free quota is only for new users, only in the Singapore region, and only for a limited period before charges can begin unless safeguards are enabled.

3. Route through OpenRouter or Fireworks AI

These are explicitly listed by Qwen as supported alternatives. For users who already manage multiple model providers, this may be the least disruptive transition.

4. Bring your own API key

This is now the standard path across many dev tools. It adds setup friction, but it also gives users more control over cost, provider choice, and model access.

The bigger trend

Qwen’s decision fits a broader pattern in AI tooling: generous free developer access often helps drive adoption early, but once usage scales, providers tighten quotas, add billing requirements, or move premium workflows behind subscriptions. In Qwen’s case, the transition was unusually abrupt: first the quota drop, then the discontinuation notice two days later.

For users, that means “free” AI coding access should increasingly be treated as temporary unless the provider clearly commits to a long-term free plan. For tool builders, it is another reminder not to rely too heavily on a single vendor’s promotional access model.

Final takeaway

Yes, the report is true — but it should be phrased carefully.

Qwen’s OAuth free tier has been discontinued as of April 15, 2026. That means the free sign-in path many users relied on for Qwen Code is gone. However, that does not appear to mean every free Qwen offering has vanished, since Alibaba Cloud Model Studio still advertises limited new-user free quotas under specific rules.

For most users, the practical conclusion is simple: Qwen Code is no longer free through OAuth, and continued usage now requires a paid plan, a supported third-party provider, or your own API key.