# Alibaba’s Free Coding Model Is Really a Cloud Acquisition Funnel

- slug: alibabas-free-coding-model-is-really-a-cloud-acquisition-funnel
- date: 2026-04-16
- category: Agentics

Alibaba released a capable coding model under an open license — then quietly locked the more powerful version behind its cloud. It’s the Red Hat playbook: free software, paid services.

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