Side by side
Angular CLI vs Fern
Both stand on code generators. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
Angular CLI provides project setup, development, build, test, and deployment tools through the ng command. It is a fit for Angular work that can use a local Node.js environment.
Visit Angular CLI Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3
Fern combines API documentation publishing with client library generation and offers a defined Free plan. Teams considering it should check the free-tier limits and note that self-hosting is reserved for Enterprise.
Visit FernThe facts
| Angular CLI | Fern | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | angular.dev | buildwithfern.com |
| On code generators | #5 of 33 | #1 of 33 |
Angular CLI: what it does well
- Free and open source
- Creates workspaces with applications and libraries
- Supports esbuild and webpack build options
- Deployment builders cover several hosting services
- Supports end-to-end test builders
What to know first
- Local installation and execution require Node.js
- Angular major releases typically have 24 months of support
Fern: what it does well
- Generates API references from several specification formats.
- Includes interactive API Explorer.
- Free plan includes one site.
- Supports SSO, JWT, and OAuth access controls.
- Supports custom domains and version history.
What to know first
- Free plan is limited to one site.
- Free plan has 10 team members.
- Free plan includes 250 AI credits monthly.
- Self-hosting is an Enterprise capability.
Alternatives to Angular CLI Alternatives to Fern The whole list