Cursor vs Windsurf
AI Code Editors
Cursor
The AI Code Editor
Free tier (2000 completions) / $20/mo Pro / $40/mo Business
★ 4.8/5
Windsurf
The AI IDE by Codeium
Free tier / $15/mo Pro / $30/mo Teams
★ 4.3/5
Our Verdict
Cursor is the top pick for developers who want the most advanced AI coding features, the largest ecosystem, and the fastest release cadence. Windsurf is a strong alternative that offers similar capabilities at a lower price, making it great for budget-conscious developers or those who prefer Cascade's agentic workflow.
Cursor vs Windsurf — Full Comparison for 2026
Cursor and Windsurf are the two leading AI-native code editors, both built on VS Code's foundation. They compete head-to-head for the same audience: developers who want a deeply integrated AI experience rather than a bolt-on extension. Here's how they stack up in 2026.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Code Completion | Tab-based, predicts next edit | Fast inline completions |
| AI Agent | Composer + Background Agents (BugBot) | Cascade — multi-step agentic AI |
| Multi-file Editing | Composer handles multi-file edits natively | Cascade plans and executes across files |
| Chat | Codebase-aware with @mentions | Inline chat + Cascade context |
| Memory | .cursorrules + project memory | Memories system — learns preferences |
| Model Support | Claude, GPT-4o, Gemini, and more | GPT-4o, Claude, Codeium models |
| MCP Support | Yes — extensive ecosystem | Limited MCP support |
| Background Agents | BugBot for autonomous GitHub issue work | Not available |
| Terminal Integration | AI terminal commands | Cascade can run terminal commands |
| Image Input | Screenshot/design to code | Image understanding for UI tasks |
| Extension Ecosystem | Full VS Code compatibility | VS Code compatible (some gaps) |
| Release Cadence | Weekly updates, fast iteration | Less frequent, larger releases |
| Community | Large, active community with rules/skills/MCPs | Smaller but growing community |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 2,000 completions, 50 slow requests | Unlimited basic completions, limited Cascade |
| Pro | $20/mo | $15/mo |
| Business/Teams | $40/mo | $30/mo |
Bottom line on pricing: Windsurf is $5/mo cheaper at every tier and has a more generous free plan. Cursor charges more but ships features faster and has a larger ecosystem. For most developers, the $5 difference isn't decisive — pick based on features.
Target Audience
Choose Cursor if you are:
- A power user who wants the latest AI features as soon as they ship
- A developer who values community (rules, skills, MCP servers)
- Someone who needs background agents for autonomous work
- Building complex projects that benefit from the best multi-file editing
- Part of a team that already standardized on Cursor
Choose Windsurf if you are:
- Budget-conscious and want to save $5/mo
- Drawn to Cascade's structured, plan-first agentic approach
- A developer who values the Memories system for persistent preferences
- Looking for a generous free tier to try before committing
- Comfortable with a smaller community and less frequent updates
Use Case Recommendations
| Use Case | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-file feature implementation | Cursor | Composer is more mature and reliable |
| Autonomous background work | Cursor | BugBot works on GitHub issues while you code |
| Budget-friendly AI editor | Windsurf | $15/mo vs $20/mo, better free tier |
| Learning a new codebase | Tie | Both have excellent codebase understanding |
| Using external tools (MCP) | Cursor | Much larger MCP ecosystem |
| Remembering project conventions | Tie | Both have memory/rules systems |
| Prototyping a new project | Tie | Both handle greenfield projects well |
| Enterprise deployment | Cursor | More established, better team features |
| Quick inline code suggestions | Tie | Both have excellent completions |
| AI-planned refactoring | Windsurf | Cascade's planning is very structured |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windsurf a copy of Cursor? No. While both are built on VS Code, Windsurf (by Codeium) was developed independently. Codeium has been building AI coding tools since 2022, predating even Cursor's launch. Cascade represents Codeium's unique approach to agentic AI.
Did OpenAI buy Windsurf/Codeium? Yes, OpenAI acquired Codeium (the company behind Windsurf) in late 2025. This gives Windsurf access to OpenAI's resources and models, but it remains to be seen how this affects the product roadmap and Windsurf's independence.
Can I import my Cursor settings to Windsurf (or vice versa)? Both editors support VS Code settings import. You can try both with your existing configuration and switch relatively painlessly.
Which has better code completion? Both are excellent. Cursor's completions are often praised for predicting your next intended edit (not just the next line). Windsurf's completions are very fast and accurate. In practice, the difference is marginal.
Which editor is more stable? Cursor ships more frequent updates, which occasionally introduces bugs that are quickly fixed. Windsurf releases less often with more thorough testing. Both are production-ready.
Should I switch from Cursor to Windsurf to save money? If $5/mo matters to you and you don't rely on Cursor-specific features like BugBot or the MCP ecosystem, Windsurf is a solid choice. Try the free tier before committing.