Cursor vs Windsurf
Two of the most-asked-about agents in the coding space. Here's how they actually stack up.
Cursor
AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code
Free + $20/mo
Read full review →Windsurf
AI-first code editor with the Cascade agent baked into a VS Code fork
Free + $15/mo
Read full review →Side-by-side comparison
| Cursor | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code | AI-first code editor with the Cascade agent baked into a VS Code fork |
| Pricing | Free + $20/mo | Free + $15/mo |
| Categories | coding, ide | coding, ide |
| Made by | Anysphere | Cognition |
| Launched | 2023-03 | 2024-11 |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Status | active | active |
Cursor highlights
- + Inline AI completions with project-wide context
- + Composer mode for multi-file edits from a single prompt
- + Agent mode for autonomous task execution
- + Tab completion that learns your patterns
- + Built-in chat with codebase indexing
Windsurf highlights
- + Cascade agentic mode for multi-step autonomous coding tasks
- + Tab completion trained on the Codeium model, runs locally with low latency
- + Persistent Memories that carry project context across sessions
- + Multi-file edit proposals with a unified diff review UI
- + MCP (Model Context Protocol) support for external tool integrations
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cursor or Windsurf?
Neither is universally better. Cursor (Free + $20/mo) leans into coding, while Windsurf (Free + $15/mo) is closer to coding. Pick based on which workflow you actually do every day.
What is the price difference between Cursor and Windsurf?
Cursor is free + $20/mo. Windsurf is free + $15/mo. See the pricing row in the comparison table.
Can I use Cursor and Windsurf together?
In most cases, yes. They serve overlapping but distinct needs, so running them side by side is common until you decide which fits your workflow.