Is Blender free or paid?

Hello there, I'm curious about Blender, the popular 3D computer graphics software. I've heard a lot about it and seen some amazing creations made with it, but I'm not sure about its pricing. So, my question is, is Blender free or paid? I've searched online and seen some conflicting information, so I'd like to get a clear answer from someone who knows. If it's free, that would be great news for me as a beginner in 3D modeling and animation. But if it's paid, I'd like to know the pricing structure and if there are any discounts or promotions available. Thank you in advance for your help!