Cursor vs Windsurf
Detailed comparison between Cursor and Windsurf. Which one to choose for your project?
C
Cursor
4.7/5 · 20
W
Windsurf
4.2/5 · 27
Our verdict is revealed after the rounds. Scroll for the analysis →
Head to Head
Our recommendation
Cursor
The AI-powered code editor
4.7/5 (20 reviews)
Price
Free plan available 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
Windsurf
The AI code editor that competes with Cursor
4.2/5 (27 reviews)
Price
Free plan available Key features
- Autonomous multi-file AI agent
- Contextual AI auto-completion
- Chat with your codebase
- Intelligent chat + agent combination
Cursor vs Windsurf — Specs at a glance
| Criteria | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 · 20 reviews | 4.2/5 · 27 reviews |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting price | Free plan + paid from $20/mo | Free plan + paid 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?
Both Cursor and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can start with either at no cost. Cursor has the lowest paid entry point (Free plan + paid from $20/mo).
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 has a higher user rating: 4.7/5 (20 reviews) versus 4.2/5 (27 reviews) for Windsurf.
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.
