Chat-based AI software engineer that builds full-stack web apps and sites from prompts.
Cursor vs Windsurf
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Editor’s verdict
Cursor and Windsurf are both AI code editors built on VS Code foundations, but Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026 and is now part of Cognition's Devin platform. Choose Cursor if you want a product with a stable identity and roadmap, tab completion and agents in one editor, cloud agents, Bugbot pull request review and a broad choice of models including Cursor's Composer. Choose Windsurf (Devin Desktop) if you liked its Supercomplete tab completion, want free access to Cognition's SWE-2 model, or already use Devin cloud agents and want to hand tasks off between local and cloud work from one app. Existing Windsurf users should note that the Cascade agent was retired in July 2026 and replaced by Devin Local, so workflows built around Cascade need adjusting. JetBrains users can use the Windsurf plugin, which Cursor does not offer. Both charge extra for heavy use of frontier third-party models. For developers who want to stay in their current editor, a plugin-based option such as GitHub Copilot or Claude Code may be simpler than switching.
Both Cursor and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Cursor if…
- You need developers who want an AI-first code editor with tab completion and agents in one place
- You're one of: professional developers, startup engineering teams, vs code users wanting deeper ai features
- Familiar VS Code interface with extension support
Choose Windsurf if…
- You need developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents
- 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
| Cursor | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developers who want an AI-first code editor with tab completion and agents in one place | Developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $20/mo | From $20/mo |
| Learning curve | Medium | Medium |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux, Web, iOS, Android | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ideal for | Professional developers, Startup engineering teams, VS Code users wanting deeper AI features | Professional developers, Former Windsurf and Codeium users, Teams already using Devin cloud agents |
Feature comparison
| Cursor | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | IDE | IDE (now Devin Desktop) |
| Inline code completion | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-file agent | Yes | Yes |
| Builds full apps from prompts | Yes | Yes |
| Hosting / deploy included | No | No |
| Backend / database | No | No |
| GitHub integration | Yes | Yes |
| Choice of AI models | Yes | Yes |
| Export / own the code | Yes | Yes |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| Cursor | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Teams & Enterprise | 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 | — | — |
| No training on your data | Privacy Mode | Opt-out enables ZDR |
| Audit logs | Enterprise plan | — |
| Admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud (desktop client) | Cloud, hybrid, FedRAMP High |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
Cursor
Cursor is an AI code editor built on a fork of VS Code, combining predictive tab completion with an agent that makes multi-file changes and runs commands. It supports models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google alongside its own Composer model, and adds cloud agents, a CLI, Bugbot pull request review and Slack and GitHub integrations. It is used by individual developers and engineering teams.
Key features- Tab completion that predicts multi-line edits
- Agent for multi-file changes with terminal access
- Cloud agents that run tasks in parallel
- Bugbot automated pull request review
- Choice of OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Cursor's Composer models
- CLI, Slack integration and scheduled automations
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
Cursor
Free Hobby plan; Pro $20/mo ($16/mo annual); Pro+ $60; Ultra $200
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
Cursor
Strengths- Familiar VS Code interface with extension support
- Combines fast completion and agent work in one editor
- Wide model choice
- Has a free plan
- Usage-based credits can be consumed within days when using frontier models
- Billing changes in 2025 caused confusion and unexpected charges
- Heavy agent use pushes effective cost well above the base plan
- Requires switching editors for users of JetBrains or other IDEs
Not ideal for: Developers committed to JetBrains IDEs or non-developers who want hosting and a database handled for them should look elsewhere.
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
Cursor
Windsurf
FAQ
What is the main difference between Cursor and Windsurf?
Cursor is built for developers who want an AI-first code editor with tab completion and agents in one place; Windsurf is built for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents.
Is Cursor or Windsurf cheaper?
Cursor starts from $20/mo and Windsurf starts from $20/mo (as of September 2026). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do Cursor and Windsurf have free plans?
Both Cursor and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, Cursor or Windsurf?
Both have a medium learning curve.
What are good alternatives to Cursor and Windsurf?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, Base44 and v0.
