AWS sparks backlash as Kiro AI coding tool rolls out costly new pricing

AWS’s Kiro, the AI-powered coding assistant, is drawing sharp criticism after revised pricing left developers facing steep costs. Once praised for its task-driven efficiency, Kiro now separates “spec” and “vibe” requests, with spec pricing up to five times higher. Users say light coding could run hundreds monthly—far more than rivals like Amazon Q or Windsurf—raising concerns that Kiro’s popularity may falter under its new model.