Chat-based AI software engineer that builds full-stack web apps and sites from prompts.
Base44 vs Windsurf
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
Base44 is best for quickly building internal tools and simple web apps with backend and hosting included, while Windsurf is best for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. Only Base44 offers hosting / deploy included and backend / database. Only Windsurf offers inline code completion. Base44 has a low learning curve, compared with medium for Windsurf. Both Base44 and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Base44 if…
- You need quickly building internal tools and simple web apps with backend and hosting included
- Hosting / deploy included matters to you
- Backend / database matters to you
- You're one of: operations teams building internal tools, non-technical founders, small businesses needing a portal or dashboard
- You want something quicker to learn
Choose Windsurf if…
- You need developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents
- Inline code completion matters to you
- You're one of: professional developers, former windsurf and codeium users, teams already using devin cloud agents
- Fast, context-aware tab completion
At a glance
| Base44 | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Quickly building internal tools and simple web apps with backend and hosting included | Developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $16/mo | From $20/mo |
| Learning curve | Low | Medium |
| Platforms | Web | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ideal for | Operations teams building internal tools, Non-technical founders, Small businesses needing a portal or dashboard | Professional developers, Former Windsurf and Codeium users, Teams already using Devin cloud agents |
Feature comparison
| Base44 | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | AI app builder | IDE (now Devin Desktop) |
| Inline code completion | No | Yes |
| Multi-file agent | Yes | Yes |
| Builds full apps from prompts | Yes | Yes |
| Hosting / deploy included | Yes | No |
| Backend / database | Yes | No |
| GitHub integration | Builder plan and up | Yes |
| Choice of AI models | Builder plan and up | Yes |
| Export / own the code | Limited | Yes |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| Base44 | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan (OIDC) | Enterprise plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | Enterprise plan | Enterprise plan |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | Yes | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | — |
| Data residency options | Elite+ plans (US default) | — |
| No training on your data | Enterprise opt-out | Opt-out enables ZDR |
| Audit logs | Enterprise plan | — |
| Admin controls | Enterprise plan | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, hybrid, FedRAMP High |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
Base44
Base44, owned by Wix, is an AI app builder that generates working web apps from plain-language prompts. Every app includes a database, authentication, backend functions and hosting, so it is live immediately. It is used by non-developers and small teams for internal tools, customer portals and MVPs.
Key features- Prompt-based app generation with built-in database and auth
- Instant hosting with custom domain support
- One-click integrations such as Gmail, Slack, Notion and HubSpot
- Backend functions and external API connections
- In-app code editing on paid plans
- Code export to ZIP or GitHub on higher plans
Windsurf
Windsurf, the AI code editor formerly from Codeium, was acquired by Cognition and renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026; windsurf.com now redirects to it and existing plans and settings carried over. The editor keeps its Supercomplete tab completion, while the Cascade agent was replaced by Devin Local in July 2026, alongside handoff to Devin cloud agents and a free SWE-2 model. A Windsurf-branded plugin for JetBrains IDEs remains available.
Key features- Supercomplete tab completion
- Devin Local agent for multi-file edits (replaced Cascade)
- Handoff between local and Devin cloud agents
- Free access to Cognition's SWE-2 model plus other models
- MCP integrations such as Slack, Linear, Figma and Stripe
- JetBrains plugin
Pricing
Base44
Free plan (25 message credits/mo); Starter $16/mo billed annually
Windsurf
Free plan; Pro $20/mo (raised from $15 in 2026); Teams/Max tiers
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
Base44
Strengths- Backend, auth and hosting work out of the box
- Very fast from idea to a live app
- Choice of AI model on higher plans
- Has a free plan
- Code export and GitHub are limited to higher plans
- Exported code still depends on Base44's backend runtime and database
- GitHub sync is one-way; local edits do not flow back into the editor
- Credit limits are reached quickly on complex builds
Not ideal for: Teams that need a fully portable codebase or native mobile apps should look at tools that generate standalone code or build with Expo.
Windsurf
Strengths- Fast, context-aware tab completion
- In-house model available at no extra cost
- Local and cloud agents managed from one app
- Has a free plan
- The Windsurf brand and Cascade agent have been retired, creating migration churn
- Product direction now tied to Cognition's Devin roadmap
- Heavy use of frontier third-party models draws on paid quotas
- Requires switching from the user's current editor unless using the JetBrains plugin
Not ideal for: Users who want a stable, long-standing product identity or a hosted no-code app builder should look at other options.
Integrations
Base44
Windsurf
FAQ
What is the main difference between Base44 and Windsurf?
Base44 is built for quickly building internal tools and simple web apps with backend and hosting included; Windsurf is built for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. Key differences: Base44 offers hosting / deploy included and backend / database; Windsurf offers inline code completion.
Is Base44 or Windsurf cheaper?
Base44 starts from $16/mo and Windsurf starts from $20/mo (as of September 2026). On entry price, Base44 is cheaper — but compare what each plan includes, since limits differ. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do Base44 and Windsurf have free plans?
Both Base44 and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, Base44 or Windsurf?
Base44 is generally quicker to learn (Base44: low, Windsurf: medium learning curve).
What are good alternatives to Base44 and Windsurf?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, v0 and Softr.
