Cursor vs Windsurf

Detailed comparison between Cursor and Windsurf. Which one to choose for your project?

C
Logo Cursor
Cursor
1.8/5 · 214
W
Logo Windsurf
Windsurf
2.1/5 · 23
Compare features, prices and use cases below →

Head to Head

Cursor

The AI-powered code editor

1.8/5 Third-party rating: 1.8/5 (214).
Price
Free plan; From $20/mo
Key features
  • Ultra-fast multi-line code prediction
  • Edit code by natural language prompt
  • Ask questions about your entire project
  • Simultaneous modifications across multiple files
Try Cursor

Windsurf

The AI code editor that competes with Cursor

2.1/5 Third-party rating: 2.1/5 (23).
Price
Free plan; From $15/mo
Key features
  • Autonomous multi-file AI agent
  • Contextual AI auto-completion
  • Chat with your codebase
  • Intelligent chat + agent combination
Try Windsurf

Cursor vs Windsurf, Specs at a glance

Criteria Cursor Windsurf
Rating Third-party rating: 1.8/5 (214). Third-party rating: 2.1/5 (23).
Pricing model freemium freemium
Starting price Free plan; From $20/mo Free plan; From $15/mo
Free plan Yes Yes
Best for Developers who want a complete IDE with deeply integrated AI Developers wanting a free and performant alternative to Cursor

Cursor, Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Best auto-complete on the market, stunningly precise
  • Based on VS Code, zero-friction transition
  • Revolutionary multi-file editing via prompt
  • Generous free plan to try
  • Privacy mode for sensitive code

Cons

  • No affiliate program
  • Requires subscription for heavy use
  • High token consumption on large projects
  • Still some bugs on very large repos

Windsurf, Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Very generous free plan
  • Impressive Cascade agent
  • Lighter than Cursor
  • Free unlimited auto-completion

Cons

  • Less mature than Cursor
  • Smaller extension ecosystem
  • Cascade parfois instable

Frequently asked questions

Which one is cheaper: Cursor or Windsurf?
Cursor: Free plan; From $20/mo. Windsurf: Free plan; From $15/mo. Windsurf has the lower listed paid entry price.
Does Cursor or Windsurf offer a free plan?
Yes, both Cursor and Windsurf offer a free plan.
Which has the higher user rating, Cursor or Windsurf?
Cursor: Third-party rating: 1.8/5 (214). Windsurf: Third-party rating: 2.1/5 (23). Choose according to your use case; the rating alone does not determine the best fit.
What is Cursor best for compared to Windsurf?
Cursor is best for developers who want a complete ide with deeply integrated ai. Windsurf is best for developers wanting a free and performant alternative to cursor. Choose based on which use case matches your needs.
Should I choose Cursor or Windsurf?
Cursor: Developers who want a complete IDE with deeply integrated AI. Windsurf: Developers wanting a free and performant alternative to Cursor. Choose according to your use case; the rating alone does not determine the best fit.

Choose according to your use case; the rating alone does not determine the best fit.

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