specification: API Commons Plans
specificationVersion: '0.1'
schema: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/interface-research/main/schema/api-commons.yml#/$defs/Plans
provider: Fern
providerId: fern-api
created: '2026-07-11'
modified: '2026-07-11'
reconciled: false
tags:
- SDK Generation
- API Documentation
- Developer Tools
- Open Source
- Plans
description: >-
  Fern is open-core. The `fern` CLI and generators are open source
  (Apache-2.0) and free to run, and the hosted Docs and SDK product is sold on
  three tiers - Hobby, Team, and Enterprise - covering both API Docs and SDKs.
  The Hobby tier is free forever for individuals; the Team tier is a flat monthly
  fee (billed yearly); Enterprise is custom-priced. Plan differences are driven
  by team seats, monthly AI credits (for the Ask Fern / AI docs features),
  authentication and access-control options, and self-hosting. The hosted Ask
  Fern REST API is available on the Team and Enterprise plans.
notes: >-
  Team price shown as $150/month billed yearly (advertised "save 25%"). Verify
  current tiers, prices, seat counts, and AI-credit allowances on the Fern
  pricing page during reconciliation. SDK-generation SDKs and generators run via
  the open-source CLI at no license cost; paid tiers add hosted publishing,
  managed docs, AI features, and support.
sources:
- https://buildwithfern.com/pricing
- https://buildwithfern.com/
- https://github.com/fern-api/fern
plans:
- id: fern-open-source-cli
  name: Open Source CLI and Generators
  type: free
  description: >-
    The `fern` CLI and code generators are open source under Apache-2.0 and free
    to run locally or in CI. Convert OpenAPI/AsyncAPI/gRPC/Fern Definition into
    SDKs and preview docs without a paid plan.
  entries:
  - label: CLI and Generator Usage
    name: cli_usage
    type: usage
    metric: runs
    limit: -1
    timeFrame: month
    geo: global
    unit: 1
    price: free (open source, Apache-2.0)
    userMultiplied: false
  elements:
  - name: Fern CLI
  - name: SDK Generators
  - name: Fern Definition
  - name: Local Docs Preview
- id: fern-hobby
  name: Hobby
  type: free
  description: >-
    Free-forever hosted tier for individuals. Includes guides, API references,
    changelogs, the API explorer, and the web editor with a custom domain.
  entries:
  - label: Team Members
    name: hobby_seats
    type: unit
    metric: seats
    limit: 2
    timeFrame: month
    geo: global
    unit: 1
    price: $0
    userMultiplied: false
  - label: AI Credits
    name: hobby_ai_credits
    type: usage
    metric: credits
    limit: 250
    timeFrame: month
    geo: global
    unit: 1
    price: included
    userMultiplied: false
  elements:
  - name: Custom Domain
  - name: API References
  - name: Changelogs
  - name: API Explorer
  - name: Web Editor
- id: fern-team
  name: Team
  type: paid
  description: >-
    Paid tier for small teams. Everything in Hobby plus more seats and AI
    credits, custom subpath, version and product switching, password-protected
    docs, PDF exports, and access to the hosted Ask Fern REST API.
  entries:
  - label: Subscription
    name: team_subscription
    type: flat
    metric: subscription
    limit: -1
    timeFrame: month
    geo: global
    unit: 1
    price: $150/month (billed yearly)
    userMultiplied: false
  - label: Team Members
    name: team_seats
    type: unit
    metric: seats
    limit: 5
    timeFrame: month
    geo: global
    unit: 1
    price: included
    userMultiplied: false
  - label: AI Credits
    name: team_ai_credits
    type: usage
    metric: credits
    limit: 1000
    timeFrame: month
    geo: global
    unit: 1
    price: included
    userMultiplied: false
  elements:
  - name: Custom Subpath
  - name: Version and Product Switching
  - name: Password-Protected Docs
  - name: PDF Exports
  - name: Ask Fern API Access
- id: fern-enterprise
  name: Enterprise
  type: enterprise
  description: >-
    Custom-priced tier for scaling teams and enterprises. Everything in Team plus
    visitor authentication (JWT/SSO), role-based access control, translated
    content, self-hosting, enterprise SSO, and a dedicated support channel.
  entries:
  - label: Enterprise Agreement
    name: enterprise
    type: flat
    metric: contract
    limit: -1
    timeFrame: year
    geo: global
    unit: 1
    price: contact sales
    userMultiplied: false
  elements:
  - name: Visitor Authentication (JWT/SSO)
  - name: Role-Based Access Control
  - name: Translated Content
  - name: Self-Hosting
  - name: Enterprise SSO
  - name: Dedicated Support
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com