Freemium model
What stays free?
All core features will remain free — everything you need for basic authoring and validation of AsyncAPI specs.
Paid features will build on top of the core experience, offering extended capabilities for those who want more power and convenience.
Here’s a breakdown:
Free 🆓
- AsyncAPI spec recognition
- Completion support
- Spec structure validation
- Local references resolution with completion
- External file references with completion
- Internal/external browser preview
- Native preview with custom FileEditor
Paid 💳
- Spectral linter integration
- Redocly linter integration
- Visual editor (edit via UI) - WIP
- Frameworks Support - WIP
- Integration with registries, test suites, mock tools - Planned
A more detailed and up-to-date roadmap will be published soon on the dedicated JetBrains Plugin page. There, you'll be able to track upcoming features, planned improvements, and long-term goals for the plugin's development.
Why the switch to freemium?
💡 The Motivation
Since day one, I’ve been building the AsyncAPI plugin and other developer tools solo — driven by passion, not profit. The goal has always been to support the community with essential tools that make adopting AsyncAPI smoother across different organizations.
But over the past few months, I’ve been thinking: How can I develop faster, improve quality, and take on bigger projects like a Language Server for AsyncAPI?
The answer boiled down to two options:
- Continue relying on donations (which are unpredictable), or
- Turn the plugin into a sustainable product.
After much thought, I’ve decided to move to a freemium model. This will help me estimate revenue more reliably and plan future development better — without burning out.