Cursor vs VS Code: Should You Switch in 2026?
TL;DR: Cursor IS VS Code (a fork) plus AI. You keep all your extensions, settings, and keybindings. The switch takes 5 minutes. If you use AI for coding at all, Cursor is worth trying.
What Cursor Adds Over VS Code
- Tab autocomplete that predicts your next code
- Composer mode for AI-driven multi-file edits
- AI Chat sidebar with full project context
- Cmd+K for inline AI editing
- Smart code generation from natural language
What You Keep
- All VS Code extensions work
- All keybindings transfer
- Settings sync compatible
- Same UI, same terminal, same git integration
When to Stay with VS Code
- You never use AI for coding (rare in 2026)
- Your company has strict software policies
- You prefer GitHub Copilot as an extension (still works in VS Code)
Pricing
Cursor Hobby (free): 2000 completions, 50 slow premium requests. Cursor Pro ($20/mo): Unlimited completions, 500 fast requests. GitHub Copilot ($10/mo in VS Code) is cheaper but less powerful than Cursor Pro.
Ready to get started?
Try Cursor Free →Find the Perfect AI Tool for Your Needs
Compare pricing, features, and reviews of 50+ AI tools
Browse All AI Tools →Get Weekly AI Tool Updates
Join 1,000+ professionals. Free AI tools cheatsheet included.