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Independent reviews · Clear choices · No jargon

Cursor vs Windsurf

A side-by-side comparison of Cursor and Windsurf — ratings, pricing, strengths, weaknesses and who each one is best for.

Updated 2026

CriteriaCursor
Coding tool
Windsurf
Coding tool
Rating
4.8
4.6
Pricing
  • Free: Free
  • Pro: $20/mo
  • Business: $40/user/mo
  • Free: Free
  • Pro: $15/mo
  • Teams: $30/user/mo
Pros
  • ✓ Deep AI integration
  • ✓ VS Code compatible
  • ✓ Multiple models
  • ✓ Strong code understanding
  • ✓ Autonomous agent coding
  • ✓ Strong context awareness
  • ✓ VS Code experience
  • ✓ Great value
Cons
  • ✗ New workflow to learn
  • ✗ Limited free tier
  • ✗ Occasional lag
  • ✗ Newer ecosystem
  • ✗ Occasional wrong edits
  • ✗ Needs tuning on big projects
Best forEveryday coding, Refactoring, Project development, Learning to codeAutonomous development, Refactoring, Full-stack projects
PlatformsDesktopDesktop

Our verdict

Cursor edges ahead on our overall rating (4.8 vs 4.6), but both are capable choices.

Choose Cursor if you want Everyday coding, Refactoring. Choose Windsurf if you need Autonomous development, Refactoring.

Read the full Cursor review →Read the full Windsurf review →

FAQ

Is Cursor better than Windsurf?

In our review Cursor rates 4.8/5 and Windsurf rates 4.6/5. Cursor is best for Everyday coding, Refactoring, while Windsurf suits Autonomous development, Refactoring — so the better choice depends on your priorities.

What is the difference between Cursor and Windsurf?

Cursor: An AI-powered code editor and a favorite among developers. Windsurf: Codeium's AI-native IDE focused on autonomous agentic coding.

Which is cheaper, Cursor or Windsurf?

Cursor starts at Free (Free); Windsurf starts at Free (Free).