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Cursor vs Windsurf

Compare pricing, ratings, functions, limits, privacy, pros and cons side by side.

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8.9

Cursor

Anysphere, Inc.

(0)

Cursor is an AI code editor for searching, editing, refactoring and debugging complete codebases.

  • AI code editor
  • Repo chat
  • Code generation
freemium_usage_subscriptionFree planAPIMobile app#New
8.7

Windsurf

Cognition AI, Inc.

(0)

Windsurf, now delivered as Devin Desktop, is an agentic code editor with local and cloud coding agents, repository context, MCP tools, workflows and enterprise controls.

  • Agentic desktop code editor
  • Local and cloud coding agents
  • Repository-aware multi-file edits
freemium_usage_subscriptionFree planDesktop appGDPR friendly#New
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Quick verdict

Cursor fits AI Coding Tools. Windsurf is relevant to compare because both tools share at least one category.

Score overview

Cursor: 8.9/10 · Windsurf: 8.7/10

Cursor vs Windsurf

Factor
WindsurfWindsurf →
RatingNo user ratingsNo user ratings
Score overview8.9/108.7/10
Ease of use9.0/108.8/10
Price/value8.3/108.5/10
Output quality9.1/108.7/10
Best for
  • Daily AI-assisted coding Agentic repository work Fast code completion Cloud and CLI coding agents Team-governed AI development
  • Agent-first desktop coding Repository-wide edits MCP-powered developer workflows Teams managing AI coding usage Enterprise-controlled developer environments
Core features
  • Agentic code editing Fast Tab completion Composer first-party models Frontier model access Cloud agents and automations Cursor CLI Bugbot code review Rules
  • skills and hooks MCP server support Git Hub and Git Lab workflows Cursor APIs Team analytics
  • privacy mode and SSO
  • Agentic desktop code editor Local and cloud coding agents Repository-aware multi-file edits Terminal and browser actions MCP server support Rules
  • memories and workflows VS Code extension compatibility Jet Brains support SSH and dev containers One-click application deployment Team analytics and administration Enterprise SSO
  • RBAC and SCIM
Use cases
  • Implement features Refactor repositories Generate and debug tests Review pull requests Run coding agents in the cloud Use AI from the terminal Connect databases and tools through MCP Automate repetitive repository tasks Manage AI coding across a team Apply team privacy settings
  • Implement repository changes Refactor multi-file code Debug failing builds Generate tests Use tools through MCP Automate repeatable coding workflows Work over SSH or dev containers Deploy small applications Manage coding-agent usage across a team Apply enterprise access policies
Platforms
  • Web Desktop Mobile
  • Web Desktop
Inputs
  • Implement features Refactor repositories Generate and debug tests Review pull requests Run coding agents in the cloud Use AI from the terminal
  • Implement repository changes Refactor multi-file code Debug failing builds Generate tests Use tools through MCP Automate repeatable coding workflows
Outputs
  • Agentic code editing Fast Tab completion Composer first-party models Frontier model access Cloud agents and automations Cursor CLI
  • Agentic desktop code editor Local and cloud coding agents Repository-aware multi-file edits Terminal and browser actions MCP server support Rules
  • memories and workflows
Integrations
  • Git Hub Git Lab MCP servers Jet Brains IDEs Cursor CLI Slack alerts Cursor APIs Marketplace plugins
  • Git Hub Git Lab Bitbucket MCP servers Jet Brains IDEs VS Code extensions Snyk Sonar Qube
API
Mobile app
Browser extension
Privacy8.8/108.5/10
Limitations
  • Hobby has limited Agent and Tab usage Individual usage pools reset monthly On-demand use is billed in arrears First-party pool sizes are not always published as simple numbers Team Standard and Premium use different seat economics Bugbot can add usage charges Taxes are not included Privacy Mode must be configured correctly
  • Free has a light quota and limited models Pro and Teams quotas are usage-dependent Max is aimed at heavy users rather than typical developers Team billing combines a minimum and full-user seats Enterprise controls require a sales agreement Large repositories consume more context Generated changes must be tested Current documentation is split between Windsurf and Devin domains
Pros
  • Excellent editor experience Strong agent and completion quality Broad model selection Useful free plan Public APIs and CLI MCP and marketplace support Privacy Mode available to everyone SOC 2 certification
  • Fast agent-first coding workflow Strong repository context Broad editor and plugin compatibility Free plan for evaluation Pro remains $20 per month MCP and workflow extensibility Team analytics and RBAC Enterprise deployment options
Cons
  • Usage pricing is complex Frontier-model use can exceed the subscription Ultra costs $200 per month Team Premium is expensive Taxes are excluded No hard request count for many pools Generated code needs review Enterprise pricing is custom
  • documents
  • API
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Pricing comparison that uses the same basis

Free access, payment triggers, real limits and the most suitable plan—without mixing monthly and annual prices.

Comparable paid entrySame confirmed entry price
Buying questionCursorWindsurf
Free accessPermanent free access with the documented limited allowance.Permanent free access with the documented limited allowance.
When payment is neededCursor is one of the strongest AI coding environments for developers who want high-quality completion and agent workflows inside a familiar editor. Pro suits most individuals, Pro+ fits daily agent users and Ultra targets power users. Teams Standard is the normal collaboration plan; Premium improves predictability for heavy users. The main drawback is that actual cost depends on model choice and usage.Windsurf is a strong choice for developers who want an agent-first desktop IDE and access to the broader Devin ecosystem. Pro is the practical individual plan. Max is expensive but intended for sustained agent use. Teams and Enterprise add administration, identity and deployment controls. Buyers should account for variable quota consumption and the product’s 2026 transition from Windsurf branding to Devin Desktop.
Credits and limitsCursor combines a desktop code editor with autonomous Agent workflows, Tab completion, first-party Composer models, frontier models, cloud agents, CLI, Bugbot code review, rules, skills, hooks, MCP servers and APIs. The current lineup includes a free Hobby plan, Pro, Pro+, Ultra, two Teams seat tiers and Enterprise. Individual plans use two monthly pools: a first-party pool for Auto and Composer, plus API-priced usage for selected frontier models. On-demand usage can continue after the included amount and is billed in arrears. Team plans add administration, analytics, marketplace controls, privacy mode and SSO. · Hobby has limited Agent and Tab usage · Individual usage pools reset monthlyWindsurf was renamed Devin Desktop on 2 June 2026. The editor, extensions, keybindings, workflows and core Windsurf experience remain available, while Cognition places local and cloud agents in one command center. The product supports repository-aware coding, multi-file edits, terminal and browser work, MCP servers, memories, rules, workflows, plugins, SSH, dev containers and one-click app deployment. Current self-service pricing uses Free, Pro and Max individual plans, plus Teams and Enterprise. Usage varies by model, context length and task complexity rather than a fixed request count. · Free has a light quota and limited models · Pro and Teams quotas are usage-dependent
Likely best-value plan$60 / month · Individual developers, startups and engineering teams that want a mature AI-native editor with agents, CLI, cloud workflows and governance. · Paid access with higher usage and the documented plan features.$20 / month · Developers and engineering teams that want an agentic desktop IDE with local code control, repository context and optional cloud-agent workflows. · Paid access with higher usage and the documented plan features.
Value verdictCursor is one of the strongest AI coding environments for developers who want high-quality completion and agent workflows inside a familiar editor. Pro suits most individuals, Pro+ fits daily agent users and Ultra targets power users. Teams Standard is the normal collaboration plan; Premium improves predictability for heavy users. The main drawback is that actual cost depends on model choice and usage.Windsurf is a strong choice for developers who want an agent-first desktop IDE and access to the broader Devin ecosystem. Pro is the practical individual plan. Max is expensive but intended for sustained agent use. Teams and Enterprise add administration, identity and deployment controls. Buyers should account for variable quota consumption and the product’s 2026 transition from Windsurf branding to Devin Desktop.

Free access

Cursor

Permanent free access with the documented limited allowance.

Windsurf

Permanent free access with the documented limited allowance.

When payment is needed

Cursor

Cursor is one of the strongest AI coding environments for developers who want high-quality completion and agent workflows inside a familiar editor. Pro suits most individuals, Pro+ fits daily agent users and Ultra targets power users. Teams Standard is the normal collaboration plan; Premium improves predictability for heavy users. The main drawback is that actual cost depends on model choice and usage.

Windsurf

Windsurf is a strong choice for developers who want an agent-first desktop IDE and access to the broader Devin ecosystem. Pro is the practical individual plan. Max is expensive but intended for sustained agent use. Teams and Enterprise add administration, identity and deployment controls. Buyers should account for variable quota consumption and the product’s 2026 transition from Windsurf branding to Devin Desktop.

Credits and limits

Cursor

Cursor combines a desktop code editor with autonomous Agent workflows, Tab completion, first-party Composer models, frontier models, cloud agents, CLI, Bugbot code review, rules, skills, hooks, MCP servers and APIs. The current lineup includes a free Hobby plan, Pro, Pro+, Ultra, two Teams seat tiers and Enterprise. Individual plans use two monthly pools: a first-party pool for Auto and Composer, plus API-priced usage for selected frontier models. On-demand usage can continue after the included amount and is billed in arrears. Team plans add administration, analytics, marketplace controls, privacy mode and SSO. · Hobby has limited Agent and Tab usage · Individual usage pools reset monthly

Windsurf

Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop on 2 June 2026. The editor, extensions, keybindings, workflows and core Windsurf experience remain available, while Cognition places local and cloud agents in one command center. The product supports repository-aware coding, multi-file edits, terminal and browser work, MCP servers, memories, rules, workflows, plugins, SSH, dev containers and one-click app deployment. Current self-service pricing uses Free, Pro and Max individual plans, plus Teams and Enterprise. Usage varies by model, context length and task complexity rather than a fixed request count. · Free has a light quota and limited models · Pro and Teams quotas are usage-dependent

Likely best-value plan

Cursor

$60 / month · Individual developers, startups and engineering teams that want a mature AI-native editor with agents, CLI, cloud workflows and governance. · Paid access with higher usage and the documented plan features.

Windsurf

$20 / month · Developers and engineering teams that want an agentic desktop IDE with local code control, repository context and optional cloud-agent workflows. · Paid access with higher usage and the documented plan features.

Value verdict

Cursor

Cursor is one of the strongest AI coding environments for developers who want high-quality completion and agent workflows inside a familiar editor. Pro suits most individuals, Pro+ fits daily agent users and Ultra targets power users. Teams Standard is the normal collaboration plan; Premium improves predictability for heavy users. The main drawback is that actual cost depends on model choice and usage.

Windsurf

Windsurf is a strong choice for developers who want an agent-first desktop IDE and access to the broader Devin ecosystem. Pro is the practical individual plan. Max is expensive but intended for sustained agent use. Teams and Enterprise add administration, identity and deployment controls. Buyers should account for variable quota consumption and the product’s 2026 transition from Windsurf branding to Devin Desktop.

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Evidence behind this comparison

A concise selection of sourced findings; extra research stays on the individual tool pages.

Cursor

Cursor is one of the strongest AI coding environments for developers who want high-quality completion and agent workflows inside a familiar editor. Pro suits most individuals, Pro+ fits daily agent users and Ultra targets power users. Teams Standard is the normal collaboration plan; Premium improves predictability for heavy users. The main drawback is that actual cost depends on model choice and usage.

Current productConfidence: High

Cursor combines a desktop code editor with autonomous Agent workflows, Tab completion, first-party Composer models, frontier models, cloud agents, CLI, Bugbot code review, rules, skills, hooks, MCP servers and APIs. The current lineup includes a free Hobby plan, Pro, Pro+, Ultra, two Teams seat tiers and Enterprise. Individual plans use two monthly pools: a first-party pool for Auto and Composer, plus API-priced usage for selected frontier models. On-demand usage can continue after the included amount and is billed in arrears. Team plans add administration, analytics, marketplace controls, privacy mode and SSO.

Cursor official official documentation ↗
Official pricingConfidence: High

Free | $20/month | $60/month | $200/month | $40/user/month or $32 annually | $120/user/month or $96 annually | Custom

Cursor official official pricing ↗
Free accessConfidence: High

Permanent free access with the documented limited allowance. Limited Agent requests and limited Tab completions

Cursor official official pricing ↗
Uncertainty

No hands-on practical test was performed. Findings are based on official public sources checked on 14 July 2026.

Windsurf

Windsurf is a strong choice for developers who want an agent-first desktop IDE and access to the broader Devin ecosystem. Pro is the practical individual plan. Max is expensive but intended for sustained agent use. Teams and Enterprise add administration, identity and deployment controls. Buyers should account for variable quota consumption and the product’s 2026 transition from Windsurf branding to Devin Desktop.

Current productConfidence: High

Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop on 2 June 2026. The editor, extensions, keybindings, workflows and core Windsurf experience remain available, while Cognition places local and cloud agents in one command center. The product supports repository-aware coding, multi-file edits, terminal and browser work, MCP servers, memories, rules, workflows, plugins, SSH, dev containers and one-click app deployment. Current self-service pricing uses Free, Pro and Max individual plans, plus Teams and Enterprise. Usage varies by model, context length and task complexity rather than a fixed request count.

Windsurf official official documentation ↗
Official pricingConfidence: High

$0/month | $20/month | $200/month | $80/month team minimum + $40/full user | Custom

Windsurf official official pricing ↗
Free accessConfidence: High

Permanent free access with the documented limited allowance. Light agent quota; limited model availability; unlimited inline edits and Tab completions

Windsurf official official pricing ↗
Uncertainty

No hands-on practical test was performed. Findings are based on official public sources checked on 14 July 2026.

Mats in ’t Veld
Reviewed by

Mats in ’t Veld

Founder & AI tool reviewer Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Mats uses, tests and compares AI tools for ToolLions from Amsterdam.

About Mats and ToolLions

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