Cursor vs Windsurf: The Complete Comparison
Which coding assistants tool is right for you? A detailed side-by-side analysis of features, pricing, and performance.
Cursor wins for most users due to its free tier and best-in-class ai code interaction with natural language editing. Choose Cursor if you need Professional developers working on complex, multi-file projects. Choose Windsurf for Enterprise development teams.
- Price: Cursor starts at Free, Windsurf at Free
- Free tier: Both offer free tiers
- Best for: Cursor → Professional developers working on complex, multi-file projects | Windsurf → Enterprise development teams
- Features: 10+ features across 7 categories
- Our pick: Cursor for budget-conscious users
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Anysphere | Codeium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | No | No |
| Web App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | No | No |
| Best For | Professional developers working on complex, multi-file projects | Enterprise development teams |
Cursor vs Windsurf Pricing
Here's how the pricing compares between both tools:
Cursor
Free Tier AvailableWindsurf
Free Tier AvailableFeatures Comparison
Cursor Features
- ✓ Agent Mode
- ✓ Custom Docs
- ✓ Chat Interface
- ✓ Code Completion
- ✓ Code Generation
- ✓ Ide Integration
- ✓ Code Explanation
- ✓ Codebase Context
- ✓ Multi File Editing
Windsurf Features
Pros and Cons
Cursor
Pros
- Best-in-class AI code interaction with natural language editing
- Deep codebase understanding across multiple files simultaneously
- Fast iteration cycles with intelligent refactoring suggestions
- Full VS Code compatibility with familiar interface and extensions
- Advanced agent mode for autonomous task completion
- Context-aware debugging and automatic error correction
Cons
- Requires separate installation from standard VS Code
- Usage-based pricing can become expensive for heavy users
- Steep learning curve for maximizing AI features
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 Cursor if you need:
- Professional developers working on complex, multi-file projects
- Teams focused on AI-assisted development workflows
- Developers who frequently refactor legacy codebases
- Software engineers building modern applications with advanced AI integration
- Coding bootcamp graduates transitioning to professional development
Choose Windsurf if you need:
- Enterprise development teams
- Developers working with large codebases
- Teams requiring advanced security and SSO features
Final Verdict: Cursor vs Windsurf
🏆 Winner: Cursor
After comparing all aspects, Cursor comes out slightly ahead for most users. The free tier makes it easy to get started without commitment. Key strength: Best-in-class AI code interaction with natural language editing.
Bottom line: Use Cursor for Professional developers working on complex, multi-file projects. Use Windsurf for Enterprise development teams. Both are excellent coding assistants tools in 2025.
What Are We Comparing?
Cursor
Code with Cursor, the AI-first code editor built on VS Code with deep Claude and GPT-4 integration. Features intelligent code completion, multi-file editing, and natural language programming for faster development workflows.
Cursor is an advanced AI-powered code editor that revolutionizes software development by integrating cutting-edge language models directly into the coding workflow. Built on the familiar VS Code architecture, Cursor provides developers with intelligent code completion, context-aware chat assistance, and the ability to edit code using natural language commands. The editor excels at understanding entire codebases, enabling multi-file refactoring, automated bug fixes, and intelligent code generation that maintains consistency across projects. Designed for modern developers who want to accelerate their coding process, Cursor combines the reliability of VS Code with powerful AI capabilities from Claude and GPT-4. Its agent mode can execute complete tasks end-to-end, automatically running terminal commands, identifying errors, and implementing fixes. The platform is particularly valuable for complex projects requiring extensive refactoring, as it maintains context across multiple files and can suggest architectural improvements while preserving existing functionality.
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 Cursor and Windsurf?
Cursor is code with cursor, the ai-first code editor built on vs code with deep claude and gpt-4 integration. features intelligent code completion, multi-file editing, and natural language programming for faster development workflows. 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: Cursor or Windsurf?
Cursor is generally better for most users due to its free tier and best-in-class ai code interaction with natural language editing. Cursor is best for Professional developers working on complex, multi-file projects, while Windsurf shines at Enterprise development teams.
Is Cursor free to use?
Yes, Cursor 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 Cursor to Windsurf?
Yes, you can switch between these tools at any time. Both are standalone services. Consider your specific needs for Professional developers working on complex, multi-file projects vs Enterprise development teams when deciding.
