Windsurf vs Cursor: Which AI Code Editor Should You Choose? (2025)
Windsurf vs Cursor: AI Code Editor Comparison
Windsurf and Cursor are the two leading AI-first code editors, both forked from VS Code. Here is a detailed comparison to help you choose.
TL;DR: Cursor for power users who want the most advanced AI features and are willing to pay $20/mo. Windsurf for developers who want a capable AI editor with a generous free tier. Both are excellent — the choice often comes down to pricing.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (limited) / $20/mo | Free (generous) / $15/mo |
| AI chat | Best | Good |
| Inline editing (Cmd+K) | Best | Good |
| Multi-file agent | Composer | Cascade |
| Autocomplete | Excellent | Good |
| Codebase indexing | Best | Good |
| VS Code extensions | Full support | Full support |
| AI models | Claude, GPT-4o, custom | Claude, GPT-4o |
| Free tier quality | Limited | Much better |
When to Choose Each
- Choose Cursor if: You want the most capable AI coding experience, budget is not a constraint, you do complex multi-file work regularly
- Choose Windsurf if: You want a great free AI editor, you are on a budget, Cascade flows work well for your workflow
Full comparison: Cursor vs Windsurf vs Copilot. Cursor review: Is Cursor worth $20/mo? Terminal: Claude Code vs Cursor.
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