If you aren't using coding models you aren't ahead of the curve.
There are free coding models. I use them heavily. They are ok but only partial substitutes for frontier models.
Some people, with some tasks, get great results
But me, with my tasks, I need to maintain provenance and accountability over the code. I can't just have AI fly by the seat of its pants.
I can get into lots of detail on this. If you have seen tools and setups I have done you'd realize why it doesn't work for me.
I've spent money, the results for me, with my tasks, have not been the right decision.
If you aren't using coding models you aren't ahead of the curve.
There are free coding models. I use them heavily. They are ok but only partial substitutes for frontier models.