Cursor vs Replit: Which AI Coding Platform is Better in 2025?

Cursor and Replit represent two different visions of AI-powered coding. Cursor enhances your local development environment; Replit puts everything in the cloud. Here’s which one to choose.

Core Difference

Cursor: AI-enhanced local IDE (VS Code fork). Your code stays on your machine. Full access to your local tools, services, and file system.

Replit: Cloud-based development environment. Code and run everything in browser. No setup required. Built-in deployment and hosting.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Cursor	Replit
Pricing	$0-$40/mo	$0-$25/mo
Environment	Local (VS Code)	Browser/Cloud
AI model	Claude + GPT-4o	Custom AI (weaker)
Codebase context	Full project	Full project
Deployment	Manual (deploy anywhere)	Built-in, 1-click
Collaboration	Via Git	Real-time multiplayer
Setup time	10-15 min	Zero (browser)
Language support	Any language	Most languages
AI quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Performance	Full local speed	Depends on cloud server

Cursor: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Best-in-class AI (Claude 3.5 + GPT-4o) that understands entire codebases
• Full VS Code compatibility — all your extensions work
• Works with your existing local setup (databases, APIs, Docker)
• Code stays local (important for proprietary projects)
• Unlimited languages and frameworks

Cons

• Requires local setup (not suitable for Chromebooks)
• No built-in hosting
• Higher base monthly cost

Replit: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Zero setup — start coding in seconds from any browser
• Built-in deployment (great for prototypes and demos)
• Real-time collaboration like Google Docs
• Ghostwriter AI for code completion
• Bounties marketplace for freelance work

Cons

• AI quality inferior to Cursor (uses weaker models)
• Slower performance than local development
• Limited to Replit’s infrastructure
• Free plan has significant limitations

Who Should Choose Each

Choose Cursor if:

• You’re a professional developer working on complex projects
• You have an existing local development environment
• You need the best AI assistance for complex coding tasks
• You work with databases, APIs, and services that run locally
• Code privacy is important (proprietary or client code)

Choose Replit if:

• You’re learning to code and don’t want setup complexity
• You need to prototype quickly and share with others instantly
• You want built-in hosting for small projects or APIs
• You collaborate in real-time with non-developer stakeholders
• You teach coding and need a consistent environment for students

Can You Use Both?

Yes. Many developers use Replit for quick prototypes, demos, and sharing — then move to Cursor + local environment for serious development. This is a reasonable workflow if you can afford both ($45/month combined).

Try Cursor Free →