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JetBrains AI vs Windsurf
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
JetBrains AI is best for developers using IntelliJ, PyCharm and other JetBrains IDEs who want AI built in, while Windsurf is best for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. JetBrains AI has a low learning curve, compared with medium for Windsurf. Both JetBrains AI and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose JetBrains AI if…
- You need developers using IntelliJ, PyCharm and other JetBrains IDEs who want AI built in
- You're one of: java and kotlin developers, python developers using pycharm, enterprise teams standardised on jetbrains
- You want something quicker to learn
- Uses JetBrains' code analysis and refactoring engine as context
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
| JetBrains AI | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developers using IntelliJ, PyCharm and other JetBrains IDEs who want AI built in | Developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $10/mo | From $20/mo |
| Learning curve | Low | Medium |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ideal for | Java and Kotlin developers, Python developers using PyCharm, Enterprise teams standardised on JetBrains | Professional developers, Former Windsurf and Codeium users, Teams already using Devin cloud agents |
Feature comparison
| JetBrains AI | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | IDE extension + agent | IDE (now Devin Desktop) |
| Inline code completion | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-file agent | Yes | Yes |
| Builds full apps from prompts | Limited | Yes |
| Hosting / deploy included | No | No |
| Backend / database | No | No |
| GitHub integration | Limited | Yes |
| Choice of AI models | Yes | Yes |
| Export / own the code | Yes | Yes |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| JetBrains AI | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | AI Enterprise | Enterprise plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | AI Enterprise | Enterprise plan |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | — | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | — |
| Data residency options | — | — |
| No training on your data | Yes | Opt-out enables ZDR |
| Audit logs | AI Enterprise | — |
| Admin controls | AI Enterprise | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, on-prem, air-gapped | Cloud, hybrid, FedRAMP High |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
JetBrains AI
JetBrains AI covers the AI Assistant and the Junie coding agent inside JetBrains IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm and WebStorm. It offers cloud and local code completion using JetBrains' Mellum model, chat and next edit suggestions, and access to third-party agents such as Claude Agent, OpenAI Codex and Gemini CLI. Users can pick models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and xAI, bring their own API keys or run local models.
Key features- AI Assistant chat and next edit suggestions in JetBrains IDEs
- Junie coding agent for multi-step tasks
- Cloud and local code completion with the Mellum model
- Third-party agents via the Agent Client Protocol
- Model choice across OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and xAI
- Bring-your-own-key and local models via Ollama or LM Studio
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
JetBrains AI
Free AI tier (3 credits/30 days); AI Pro $10/mo; AI Ultimate $30/mo; Enterprise $60/user/mo
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
JetBrains AI
Strengths- Uses JetBrains' code analysis and refactoring engine as context
- Local completion and local model options for privacy
- Wide choice of models and agents
- Free tier included with JetBrains IDEs
- Only useful inside JetBrains IDEs
- Free tier credits are very limited
- Credit-based quotas on paid tiers can run out with heavy agent use
- Generally trails AI-first editors in how quickly new agent features ship
Not ideal for: Developers who use VS Code or other editors, or non-developers wanting a hosted app builder, should choose a different tool.
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
JetBrains AI
Windsurf
FAQ
What is the main difference between JetBrains AI and Windsurf?
JetBrains AI is built for developers using IntelliJ, PyCharm and other JetBrains IDEs who want AI built in; Windsurf is built for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents.
Is JetBrains AI or Windsurf cheaper?
JetBrains AI starts from $10/mo and Windsurf starts from $20/mo (as of September 2026). On entry price, JetBrains AI is cheaper — but compare what each plan includes, since limits differ. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do JetBrains AI and Windsurf have free plans?
Both JetBrains AI and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, JetBrains AI or Windsurf?
JetBrains AI is generally quicker to learn (JetBrains AI: low, Windsurf: medium learning curve).
What are good alternatives to JetBrains AI and Windsurf?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, Base44 and v0.
