Windsurf vs Zed
Two of the most-asked-about agents in the coding space. Here's how they actually stack up.
Windsurf
AI-first code editor with the Cascade agent baked into a VS Code fork
Free + $15/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
| Windsurf | Zed | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | AI-first code editor with the Cascade agent baked into a VS Code fork | GPU-accelerated code editor with built-in AI assistant and multiplayer |
| Pricing | Free + $15/mo | Free + $10/mo |
| Categories | coding, ide | coding, editor, ide |
| Made by | Cognition | Zed Industries |
| Launched | 2024-11 | 2024-01 |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Linux, Windows |
| Status | active | active |
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
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, Windsurf or Zed?
Neither is universally better. Windsurf (Free + $15/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 Windsurf and Zed?
Windsurf is free + $15/mo. Zed is free + $10/mo. See the pricing row in the comparison table.
Can I use Windsurf 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.