Cursor vs Windsurf
Cursor (AI IDE, $20/mo (Pro)) vs Windsurf (AI IDE, $20/mo (Pro)): pricing, models, open-source status, benchmarks, and best use cases. See which AI coding agent is right for your workflow.
Cursor
Windsurf
| Comparison | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI IDE | AI IDE |
| Type | AI IDE | AI IDE |
| Vendor | Anysphere | Cognition |
| Pricing | $20/mo (Pro) | $20/mo (Pro) |
| Open source | No | No |
| Models | Claude Opus 4.8, Claude Sonnet 4.6, GPT-5.5, Gemini 3.1 Pro, Grok Build, Composer 2.5 | Claude Sonnet 4.6, GPT-5.4, SWE-1.5, SWE-1.6, Multi-model via Cascade |
| Benchmarks | Not published | Not published |
| Best for | Full-stack developers wanting the most capable AI-native IDE | Cascade agent workflows, Devin cloud integration, budget parity with Cursor |
Cursor is proprietary and best for full-stack developers wanting the most capable ai-native ide. The leading AI-native IDE. VS Code fork with codebase-aware context, multi-file Agent mode, background agents, Cloud Agents, and inline Tab completions. Widely adopted among professional developers in 2026.
Windsurf is proprietary and best for cascade agent workflows, devin cloud integration, budget parity with cursor. Cognition's AI-native IDE (formerly Codeium Windsurf). Cascade flow for multi-step agentic edits, parallel sessions, and integration with Devin cloud agents. Proprietary SWE-1.5/1.6 models included at reduced quota cost.
Both tools are part of the 2026 AI coding agent landscape. The right choice depends on whether you need a AI IDE or a AI IDE, your budget, and which models you prefer. See the full list of coding agents on our coding agents page to compare more options.