GitHub Copilot vs Cursor vs Windsurf: AI Code Editor Showdown

Three AI code editors dominate developer conversations in 2026: GitHub Copilot (now with full agent mode in VS Code), Cursor (a VS Code fork rebuilt around AI), and Windsurf (the agentic IDE from the team behind Codeium). Each takes a different approach to the same problem — making you write better code, faster. For more details, check out our in-depth Copilot vs Cursor comparison. For more details, check out our best AI for coding guide. You might also want to explore our picks for best AI code assistants.

We spent several weeks testing all three on real projects, comparing their autocomplete quality, agentic capabilities, pricing models, and how they handle multi-file edits. This guide covers the differences that actually matter so you can pick the right tool without spending weeks switching between them.

TL;DR: Top 3 Picks

1. GitHub Copilot — Best for developers who want to stay in standard VS Code with strong AI features and a free tier. The $10/month Pro plan is hard to beat on value.
2. Cursor — Best for power users who want the most advanced multi-file editing and are willing to pay $20/month for it. Agent mode and Supercomplete are genuinely impressive.
3. Windsurf — Best budget option with a useful free tier and the strongest agentic capabilities at $15/month. Cascade’s multi-step reasoning stands out.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	GitHub Copilot	Cursor	Windsurf
Type	VS Code extension	Standalone editor (VS Code fork)	Standalone editor (VS Code fork)
Free Tier	Yes (2,000 completions/mo)	Yes (limited)	Yes (25 credits/mo)
Individual Price	$10/month (Pro)	$20/month (Pro)	$15/month (Pro)
Team Price	$19/user/month	$40/user/month	$30/user/month
Enterprise Price	$39/user/month	Custom	$60/user/month
Agent Mode	Yes	Yes	Yes (Cascade)
Multi-File Editing	Yes	Yes (best-in-class)	Yes
Autocomplete	Ghost text + NES	Supercomplete (2-3 lines)	Supercomplete
Model Selection	Claude, GPT, Gemini, Auto	Claude, GPT-5.2, Gemini 3	Claude, GPT, SWE-1, custom
Billing Model	Premium requests	Credits	Prompt credits
Offline/Local Models	No	No	No
Best For	VS Code loyalists	Power users, multi-file editing	Budget-conscious developers

GitHub Copilot: The Incumbent

Overview

GitHub Copilot has the largest user base of any AI coding tool. What started as a simple autocomplete extension in 2021 has grown into a full AI development platform with agent mode, plan mode, MCP server support, and multi-agent sessions. Because it runs as a VS Code extension (not a fork), you keep the full VS Code ecosystem with no compatibility issues. See also: Cursor vs Claude Code deep dive. We also cover this topic in our guide to AI for VS Code.

Autocomplete Quality

Copilot offers two types of inline suggestions: ghost text (standard inline completions) and Next Edit Suggestions (NES), which predict not just what you will type but where your next edit should be. NES is a unique feature — you press Tab to jump between predicted edit locations, which speeds up repetitive changes across a file.

In our testing, Copilot’s completions were reliable and well-tuned to coding patterns. It rarely suggests overly verbose code, and the NES feature genuinely reduced keystrokes during refactoring tasks. See also: Lovable vs Bolt.new for no-code app building.

Agent Mode & Agentic Capabilities

Copilot’s agent mode can break down a high-level task, edit multiple files, run terminal commands, invoke tools, and self-correct when tests fail. You can run multiple agent sessions in parallel — locally, in the background, or in the cloud. Plan mode lets you review the AI’s approach before it writes any code.

The experience is smooth, but agent mode consumes premium requests quickly. On the Pro plan (300 premium requests/month), you can burn through your allocation in a couple of intense sessions.

Pricing Breakdown

Plan	Monthly Cost	Premium Requests	Key Features
Free	$0	50/month	2,000 completions, basic chat
Pro	$10/month	300/month	Full agent mode, NES
Pro+	$39/month	1,500/month	All models (Claude Opus 4, o3)
Business	$19/user/month	Org-managed	Policy controls, Copilot agent
Enterprise	$39/user/month	1,000/month	Knowledge bases, custom models

Extra premium requests: $0.04 each.

Strengths

• Deepest VS Code integration (it is made by the same team)
• Best free tier among the three
• Robust enterprise features with GitHub ecosystem integration
• NES (Next Edit Suggestions) is a genuinely unique productivity feature
• Largest community and most documentation available

Weaknesses

• Premium request limits feel restrictive on Pro
• Multi-file editing is less fluid than Cursor
• No standalone editor — relies on VS Code
• Cannot use local/custom models (unlike some competitors)

Cursor: The Power User’s Pick

Overview

Cursor is a standalone code editor forked from VS Code. Everything in Cursor is built around AI from the ground up — the tab completions, the inline editing, the chat, and the agent mode. In June 2025, Cursor moved to a credit-based billing system, which caused some controversy but reflects the real costs of running premium AI models.

Autocomplete Quality

Cursor’s Supercomplete feature predicts 2-3 lines at once instead of single-line completions. When it works well (and it usually does), it feels like the AI is reading your mind. The tab completions are context-aware across your entire codebase, not just the current file.

In our testing, Cursor’s autocomplete was the most accurate of the three, particularly for complex TypeScript and Python codebases. It consistently suggested code that matched project conventions and imported the right dependencies.

Agent Mode & Agentic Capabilities

Cursor’s agent mode is where it truly shines. It can make coordinated changes across dozens of files, understand project architecture, and apply consistent patterns. The inline editing feature lets you select code, describe what you want changed in natural language, and watch Cursor apply the edits while preserving formatting.

The credit system means you can choose different models for different tasks — use a fast model for simple completions and a powerful model like Claude Opus for complex refactoring.

Pricing Breakdown

Plan	Monthly Cost	Included Credits	Key Features
Hobby	$0	Limited	Basic completions and chat
Pro	$20/month	$20 in model credits	Unlimited tab, full agent mode
Pro+	$60/month	More credits	Priority access
Ultra	$200/month	Maximum credits	Large context, power users
Teams	$40/user/month	Team credits	Admin controls
Enterprise	Custom	Custom	SSO, compliance

Annual billing saves 20%.

Strengths

• Best multi-file editing of any AI code editor
• Supercomplete produces the most accurate predictions
• Full VS Code extension compatibility
• Flexible model selection with credit-based billing
• Codebase-wide context understanding is excellent

Weaknesses

• Credit-based billing has confused many developers
• At $20/month, it costs twice what Copilot charges
• Not standard VS Code — some enterprise IT policies may block forks
• Community complaints about unexpected charges after pricing model change
• No free plan for sustained use (Hobby is very limited)

Windsurf: The Best Value

Overview

Windsurf is the AI code editor from the team that built Codeium. Its standout feature is Cascade, an agentic AI system that understands your entire codebase, suggests multi-file edits, runs terminal commands, and works alongside you as a pair programmer. Windsurf also offers a VS Code plugin (formerly the Codeium extension) for developers who do not want to switch editors.

Autocomplete Quality

Windsurf uses Supercomplete, which predicts 2-3 lines at once. The quality is a step below Cursor in our testing — it is good for standard patterns but occasionally generates less contextually accurate suggestions for complex codebases. Where Windsurf stands out is speed: its completions appear almost instantly, making it feel snappier than competitors.

Agent Mode & Agentic Capabilities

Cascade is Windsurf’s biggest differentiator. It plans multi-step edits, calls tools, and uses deep repository context. Recent additions include terminal snippets and reusable markdown commands for repeatable workflows. The Memories feature remembers your codebase context between sessions, and automatic lint fixing saves debugging time.

Windsurf also supports MCP connections to 21+ third-party tools across Figma, Slack, Stripe, and more.

Pricing Breakdown

Plan	Monthly Cost	Key Features
Free	$0	25 prompt credits/month, basic completions
Pro	$15/month	Full Cascade access, premium models
Teams	$30/user/month	Collaboration, admin controls
Enterprise	$60/user/month	SSO, SOC 2, self-hosted options

Premium model usage (like Claude Sonnet) is charged based on tokens with a 20% margin over provider API prices. Windsurf’s own SWE-1 model uses a flat rate.

Strengths

• Best free tier among standalone AI editors
• Cascade’s agentic approach is genuinely innovative
• At $15/month, it costs 25% less than Cursor
• Memories feature maintains context between sessions
• Automatic lint fixing is a nice quality-of-life feature
• Strong enterprise options (SOC 2, self-hosted)

Weaknesses

• Autocomplete accuracy slightly below Cursor
• Prompt credits can deplete quickly with heavy use
• Some premium model costs are passed through with markup
• Rebranding from Codeium has created market confusion
• Smaller community than Copilot or Cursor

Pricing Comparison: What You Actually Pay

The sticker price does not tell the full story. Each tool uses a different billing model, which makes direct comparison tricky.

GitHub Copilot uses a premium request system. Your monthly fee buys a set number of “premium requests” for chat, agent mode, and code review. Basic completions are unlimited on paid plans. If you exhaust your premium requests, extra ones cost $0.04 each. This model is predictable — you know your maximum monthly spend.

Cursor switched to a credit-based system in June 2025. Your $20/month subscription covers unlimited tab completions and Auto mode. The included $20 credit pool depletes when you manually select premium models like Claude Sonnet or GPT-5.2. Overages are charged at the model provider’s API cost plus a margin. This model is less predictable — heavy premium model usage can push costs well above $20/month.

Windsurf uses prompt credits. Each message to a premium AI model uses one credit. The Pro plan includes a monthly credit allowance. Windsurf’s own SWE-1 model has a flat rate, but third-party models (like Claude) are charged based on tokens at the provider’s API price plus a 20% margin. The free plan’s 25 credits run out fast with real use.

Bottom line on pricing: Copilot Pro at $10/month is the cheapest premium option with the most predictable billing. Cursor at $20/month costs more but offers superior features. Windsurf at $15/month sits in between and offers the best value if Cascade’s agentic features match your workflow.

Head-to-Head: Key Scenarios

For Individual Developers on a Budget

Winner: GitHub Copilot Free or Windsurf Free

Copilot’s free tier gives you 2,000 completions and 50 premium requests per month — enough for casual coding. Windsurf’s free tier is more limited (25 credits) but includes unlimited basic completions. If you are willing to pay, Copilot Pro at $10/month is the cheapest premium option.

For Professional Developers Who Want the Best AI

Winner: Cursor Pro

At $20/month, Cursor’s multi-file editing, Supercomplete accuracy, and agent mode are the most powerful combination available. The credit system gives you flexibility to pick the right model for each task. If the pricing model does not bother you, Cursor delivers the best raw AI coding experience.

For Teams and Organizations

Winner: GitHub Copilot Business

At $19/user/month, Copilot Business costs less than half of Cursor Teams ($40/user/month) and includes GitHub ecosystem integration, policy controls, and the Copilot coding agent. Windsurf Teams at $30/user/month is a strong middle ground with Cascade’s agentic features.

For Developers Who Want Agentic AI

Winner: Windsurf (Cascade)

Cascade’s approach to agentic coding — understanding entire codebases, planning multi-step changes, running commands autonomously — is the most refined agentic experience among the three. Cursor’s agent mode is a close second. Copilot’s agent mode is capable but feels more conservative.

For Privacy-Conscious Developers

Winner: None of These

All three process code in the cloud. If you need fully local processing, consider Continue.dev or Tabnine instead.

FAQ

Can I use Cursor or Windsurf extensions in standard VS Code?

Windsurf offers a VS Code plugin (formerly the Codeium extension) that provides autocomplete and chat features. Cursor does not have a VS Code extension — it is a standalone editor. Both Cursor and Windsurf are built on the VS Code codebase, so most VS Code extensions work inside them.

Which editor has the best model selection?

Cursor offers the widest selection of premium models through its credit system, including Claude Sonnet, GPT-5.2, and Gemini 3. Copilot supports Claude, GPT, and Gemini with an Auto mode that picks the best model. Windsurf provides Claude, GPT, its own SWE-1/SWE-1.5 models, and recently added GLM-5 and Minimax M2.5.

Is the Cursor credit system really that bad?

The credit system works fine once you understand it. Your $20/month subscription includes unlimited basic features (tab completions, Auto mode). The credits are only consumed when you manually select premium models. The frustration comes from unexpected charges when users do not realize certain actions consume credits faster. Setting a monthly spending limit helps.

Should I switch from Copilot to Cursor or Windsurf?

If you are happy with Copilot and primarily use autocomplete and chat, there is no urgent reason to switch. Consider Cursor if you frequently make complex multi-file changes and want the best agent mode. Consider Windsurf if you want a similar experience at a lower price point. All three are good — the differences matter most for power users.

Will GitHub Copilot eventually make Cursor and Windsurf irrelevant?

Unlikely in the near term. Cursor and Windsurf can innovate faster because AI is their entire product, not an add-on. Copilot has the advantage of Microsoft’s resources and GitHub integration, but standalone AI editors continue to push the boundary on features like multi-file editing and agentic workflows. Competition between the three is driving rapid improvements across all of them.

Conclusion

All three tools will make you faster at coding. Here is how to choose:

• Pick GitHub Copilot if you want the safest, most affordable option that works inside standard VS Code. The free tier is a great starting point, and Pro at $10/month covers most needs.
• Pick Cursor if you want the most powerful AI editing experience and do not mind paying $20/month. Multi-file editing and Supercomplete are best-in-class.
• Pick Windsurf if you want strong agentic capabilities at a lower price than Cursor. The $15/month Pro plan with Cascade delivers impressive results for the money.

For a deeper look at AI extensions that work within VS Code (not standalone editors), see our Best AI for Coding in VS Code roundup.

Related: See our guide to detailed Cursor vs Windsurf comparison.