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Cursor vs Windsurf

CU
Cursor

Cursor is an AI-first code editor built on VS Code that integrates advanced AI capabilities directly into the editing experience. It provides intelligent code generation, refactoring, and chat-based assistance.

Code EditorsFreemium
vs
WI
Windsurf

Windsurf AI-powered code editor with agentic coding capabilities, built as a fork of VS Code by Codeium.

Code EditorsFreemium

Quick Facts

Cursor

CompanyAnysphere
Year Launched2023
Pricing ModelFreemium
Open SourceNo
CategoryCode Editors
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, Linux

Windsurf

CompanyCodeium
Year Launched2024
Pricing ModelFreemium
Open SourceNo
CategoryCode Editors
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, Web

Key Differences

AI models

Cursor

Claude, GPT-4 support

Windsurf

Claude, other models via API

Key feature

Cursor

Composer for multi-file edits

Windsurf

Cascade feature for full-file understanding

Pricing

Cursor

$20/month standard

Windsurf

Various pricing tiers

Pricing

Cursor

Freemium

Free: 0/one-time

Pro: 20/monthly

Enterprise: Custom/annual per seat

Windsurf

Freemium

Free: $0/monthly

Pro: Custom/monthly per seat

Why People Switch

CursorWindsurf

Windsurf's Cascade feature is better for understanding full files

More flexible model selection

Different approach to context awareness appeals to my workflow

WindsurfCursor

Cursor has more model options

Both are VS Code forks, pick the AI you prefer

Cursor's ecosystem more mature

Based on publicly available community discussions and migration patterns.

Community Data

What practitioners say

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Cursor

—.—

Windsurf

Switch corridor: — switches recorded

Community data will appear as users rate and switch between these tools. Be the first to contribute.

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