Cursor vs Zed
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 →Zed
GPU-accelerated code editor with built-in AI assistant and multiplayer
Free + $10/mo
Read full review →Side-by-side comparison
| Cursor | Zed | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code | GPU-accelerated code editor with built-in AI assistant and multiplayer |
| Pricing | Free + $20/mo | Free + $10/mo |
| Categories | coding, ide | coding, editor, ide |
| Made by | Anysphere | Zed Industries |
| Launched | 2023-03 | 2024-01 |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Linux, Windows |
| 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
Zed highlights
- + GPU-accelerated rendering at 120fps written in Rust
- + Multibuffer editing across multiple files in one surface
- + Real-time multiplayer collaboration with live cursors
- + Built-in AI assistant with support for Claude, GPT, Gemini, and local models
- + Agentic editing mode with autonomous context discovery and file editing
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cursor or Zed?
Neither is universally better. Cursor (Free + $20/mo) leans into coding, while Zed (Free + $10/mo) is closer to coding. Pick based on which workflow you actually do every day.
What is the price difference between Cursor and Zed?
Cursor is free + $20/mo. Zed is free + $10/mo. See the pricing row in the comparison table.
Can I use Cursor and Zed 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.