Cursor vs Windsurf: Which AI Code Editor Is Better?
Cursor and Windsurf are both AI-native code editors forked from VS Code. Cursor is the more established player with its powerful Composer for multi-file edits and broader model selection. Windsurf is newer but competitive with its Cascade agent and a lower $15/mo price point. Choose Cursor for the most mature AI coding experience; choose Windsurf if you want a similar experience at a lower price.
| Feature | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Type | AI-native IDE (VS Code fork) | AI-native IDE (VS Code fork) |
| Free Tier | 2000 completions + 50 slow requests | Unlimited autocomplete + limited AI flows |
| Pro Price | $20/mo | $15/mo |
| AI Models | GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, custom | GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini |
| Multi-file Editing | Yes (Composer) | Yes (Cascade) |
| Codebase Context | Full codebase indexing | Full codebase indexing |
| Agent Mode | Composer agent (multi-step) | Cascade agent (step-by-step) |
| Terminal Integration | AI terminal commands | AI terminal commands |
| Extensions | VS Code marketplace | VS Code marketplace |
| Speed | Fast, occasional latency on large projects | Very fast, optimized indexing |
| Crypto Payment | Card only | Card only |
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