Amazon Q vs Windsurf: The Complete Comparison
Which coding assistants tool is right for you? A detailed side-by-side analysis of features, pricing, and performance.
Amazon Q wins for most users due to its free tier and highest code acceptance rates in the industry for multi-line suggestions. Choose Amazon Q if you need Enterprise development teams. Choose Windsurf for Enterprise development teams.
- Price: Amazon Q starts at Free, Windsurf at Free
- Free tier: Both offer free tiers
- Best for: Amazon Q → Enterprise development teams | Windsurf → Enterprise development teams
- Features: 11+ features across 7 categories
- Our pick: Amazon Q for budget-conscious users
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Amazon Q | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Amazon Web Services | Codeium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | No |
| Web App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | No | No |
| Best For | Enterprise development teams | Enterprise development teams |
Amazon Q vs Windsurf Pricing
Here's how the pricing compares between both tools:
Amazon Q
Free Tier AvailableWindsurf
Free Tier AvailableFeatures Comparison
Amazon Q Features
- ✓ Web App
- ✓ Api Access
- ✓ Integrations
- ✓ Collaboration
- ✓ Export Options
- ✓ Custom Training
- ✓ Browser Extension
- ✓ Additional Features (one per line):
- ✓ Real-time code suggestions in 25+ programming languages
- ✓ Inline chat for editing code using natural language commands
- ✓ Natural language to Bash translation in CLI
- ✓ CLI autocompletions (locally and over SSH)
- ✓ Conversation history with search and markdown export
- ✓ 100K character context size in chat
- ✓ Model Context Protocol (MCP) support for tool integration
- ✓ Java upgrades from 8/11/17 to Java 17 or 21
- ✓ .NET porting from Windows to Linux
- ✓ Code customization based on proprietary codebase
- ✓ Unit test generation
- ✓ Security vulnerability scanning and auto-remediation
- ✓ Reference tracking for open-source code snippets
- ✓ EC2 instance type recommendations
- ✓ AWS resource listing via natural language
- ✓ AWS CLI command generation
- ✓ CloudWatch investigations and anomaly detection
- ✓ Console error diagnostics
- ✓ Cost analysis and bill breakdown
- ✓ Architectural best practices guidance
- ✓ GitLab Duo integration
- ✓ GitHub integration for code reviews (preview)
- ✓ Microsoft Teams and Slack deployment
- ✓ AWS Console Mobile Application support
- ✓ European region support (Frankfurt) with cross-region optimization
- ✓ Multi-language interface (English, Korean, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, etc.)
- ✓ Inline chat in Eclipse IDE
- ✓ Kiro CLI upgrade path
- ✓ IP indemnification (Pro tier)
- ✓ SOC, ISO, HIPAA, PCI compliance
- ✓ 90-day IAM Identity Center sessions
- ✓ Q Apps for no-code business automation
- ✓ 40+ enterprise data source connectors
- ✓ Permission-aware responses based on IAM roles
- ✓ QuickSight natural language dashboard creation
- ✓ Amazon Connect real-time agent assistance
- ✓ Supply Chain data analysis and forecasting
Windsurf Features
Pros and Cons
Amazon Q
Pros
- Highest code acceptance rates in the industry for multi-line suggestions
- Saved over 450,000 hours of manual technical work
- 25+ built-in secure data connectors for enterprise integration
- 80% acceleration in coding tasks with advanced agents
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance features
Cons
- Complex pricing structure with multiple tiers
- Requires AWS ecosystem for full functionality
- Learning curve for non-technical users
Windsurf
Pros
- Exceptional agentic workflow with Cascade for complex multi-file tasks
- Superior context understanding for large codebases
- Advanced security features suitable for enterprise use
- Competitive pricing at $15/month compared to alternatives
- Support for 70+ programming languages
Cons
- Can be expensive with add-on credits at $10/250 credits
- May experience performance lag with very large projects
- Reports of bugs and flaky model uptime
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose Amazon Q if you need:
- Enterprise development teams
- AWS-native organizations
- Large-scale software development projects
- Companies seeking AI-powered code assistance
- Organizations with complex data integration needs
Choose Windsurf if you need:
- Enterprise development teams
- Developers working with large codebases
- Teams requiring advanced security and SSO features
Final Verdict: Amazon Q vs Windsurf
🏆 Winner: Amazon Q
After comparing all aspects, Amazon Q comes out slightly ahead for most users. The free tier makes it easy to get started without commitment. Key strength: Highest code acceptance rates in the industry for multi-line suggestions.
Bottom line: Use Amazon Q for Enterprise development teams. Use Windsurf for Enterprise development teams. Both are excellent coding assistants tools in 2025.
What Are We Comparing?
Amazon Q
Transform your enterprise with Amazon Q, AWS's generative AI assistant that delivers industry-leading code acceptance rates and accelerates development workflows by 80%.
Amazon Q is Amazon Web Services' comprehensive generative AI assistant designed specifically for enterprise environments. This powerful AI solution offers the highest reported code acceptance rates of any coding assistant that suggests multi-line code, helping developers accelerate coding tasks by up to 80%. With over 25 built-in, managed, and secure data connectors, Amazon Q seamlessly integrates with existing enterprise systems to provide contextual assistance across development, business operations, and technical investigations. The platform has already saved organizations over 450,000 hours from manual technical work, making it an essential tool for enterprises looking to leverage AI for productivity gains. Amazon Q combines advanced code generation capabilities with robust security features and enterprise-grade compliance, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected while teams benefit from AI-powered assistance.
Windsurf
Windsurf is an AI-powered coding assistant and IDE that offers intelligent autocomplete, code generation, and agentic workflows. It provides context-aware editing capabilities with advanced security features for individual developers and enterprise teams.
Windsurf is a next-generation AI-native IDE that combines the power of artificial intelligence with traditional coding environments to create a seamless development experience. The platform features Cascade, an agentic chatbot that can collaborate on complex, multi-file tasks, along with intelligent autocomplete suggestions across 70+ programming languages. Windsurf offers both a standalone editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as plugins for existing IDEs. The tool excels at understanding large codebases through its proprietary Fast Context and SWE-1.5 models, making it particularly valuable for enterprise teams working on complex projects. With features like AI-powered code navigation (Codemaps), contextual autocomplete, and smart file navigation, Windsurf helps developers stay in flow while automating repetitive tasks. The platform emphasizes security and offers enterprise-grade features including SSO support, making it suitable for both individual developers and large development teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Amazon Q and Windsurf?
Amazon Q is transform your enterprise with amazon q, aws's generative ai assistant that delivers industry-leading code acceptance rates and accelerates development workflows by 80%. Windsurf is windsurf is an ai-powered coding assistant and ide that offers intelligent autocomplete, code generation, and agentic workflows. it provides context-aware editing capabilities with advanced security features for individual developers and enterprise teams. The main differences are in pricing (Free vs Free), target users, and specific features offered.
Which is better: Amazon Q or Windsurf?
Amazon Q is generally better for most users due to its free tier and highest code acceptance rates in the industry for multi-line suggestions. Amazon Q is best for Enterprise development teams, while Windsurf shines at Enterprise development teams.
Is Amazon Q free to use?
Yes, Amazon Q offers a free tier with limited features. You can upgrade to paid plans starting at Free for more capabilities.
Is Windsurf free to use?
Yes, Windsurf offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans start at Free.
Can I switch from Amazon Q to Windsurf?
Yes, you can switch between these tools at any time. Both are standalone services. Consider your specific needs for Enterprise development teams vs Enterprise development teams when deciding.
