Chat-based AI software engineer that builds full-stack web apps and sites from prompts.
v0 vs Windsurf
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
v0 is best for generating React and Next.js interfaces and apps that deploy to Vercel, while Windsurf is best for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. Only v0 offers hosting / deploy included. Only Windsurf offers inline code completion. Both v0 and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose v0 if…
- You need generating React and Next.js interfaces and apps that deploy to Vercel
- Hosting / deploy included matters to you
- You're one of: frontend developers, designers turning mockups into code, teams already deploying on vercel
- High-quality UI output using common open-source components
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
| v0 | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Generating React and Next.js interfaces and apps that deploy to Vercel | Developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $30/user/mo | From $20/mo |
| Learning curve | Medium | Medium |
| Platforms | Web, API | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ideal for | Frontend developers, Designers turning mockups into code, Teams already deploying on Vercel | Professional developers, Former Windsurf and Codeium users, Teams already using Devin cloud agents |
Feature comparison
| v0 | 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 | Via Supabase, Neon and others | No |
| GitHub integration | Yes | Yes |
| Choice of AI models | v0 model tiers only | Yes |
| Export / own the code | Yes | Yes |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| v0 | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan (SAML) | Enterprise plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | — | Enterprise plan |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | — | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | — | — |
| Data residency options | — | — |
| No training on your data | Enterprise plan | 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
v0
v0 is Vercel's AI app builder that generates React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui code from prompts, screenshots or Figma designs. An agent plans and runs multi-step tasks, each chat works on its own Git branch, and apps deploy to Vercel in one click with database integrations from the Vercel Marketplace. It is used by frontend developers, designers and product teams.
Key features- Prompt, screenshot and Figma-to-code generation
- Agent that plans multi-step tasks and fixes its own build errors
- GitHub integration with per-chat branches and pull requests
- One-click deployment to Vercel
- Database integrations with Supabase, Neon, Upstash and Vercel Blob
- Output in React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui
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
v0
Free plan ($5 credits/mo); Team $30/user/mo; Business $100/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
v0
Strengths- High-quality UI output using common open-source components
- Code lives in the user's GitHub repo
- Direct path to production hosting on Vercel
- Has a free plan
- Token-based pricing makes cost per change unpredictable
- Works best with React/Next.js; other frameworks are weakly supported
- Full-stack runtime and deployment are tied to Vercel's ecosystem
- Long sessions can drift into broken builds that cost credits to fix
Not ideal for: Teams using frameworks other than React/Next.js or wanting a built-in managed database without third-party services 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
v0
Windsurf
FAQ
What is the main difference between v0 and Windsurf?
v0 is built for generating React and Next.js interfaces and apps that deploy to Vercel; Windsurf is built for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. Key differences: v0 offers hosting / deploy included; Windsurf offers inline code completion.
Is v0 or Windsurf cheaper?
v0 starts from $30/user/mo and Windsurf starts from $20/mo (as of September 2026). On entry price, Windsurf is cheaper — but compare what each plan includes, since limits differ. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do v0 and Windsurf have free plans?
Both v0 and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, v0 or Windsurf?
Both have a medium learning curve.
What are good alternatives to v0 and Windsurf?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, Base44 and Softr.
