Summary
Cursor and Windsurf are both AI-native code editors built on VS Code. Cursor pioneered the space with deep codebase awareness and multi-file editing, while Windsurf (by Codeium) offers a polished alternative with Cascade flows and competitive free-tier access.
Feature Comparison
Codebase Awareness
CursorExcellent
WindsurfExcellent
Multi-file Editing
CursorExcellent
WindsurfVery Good
Free Tier
CursorLimited
WindsurfGenerous
API Access
Cursor
Windsurf
Code Generation
CursorExcellent
WindsurfExcellent
Multiple AI Models
Cursor
Windsurf
Agentic Mode
CursorComposer Agent
WindsurfCascade
VS Code Compatibility
CursorFull
WindsurfFull
Inline Completion
CursorExcellent
WindsurfExcellent
Pricing
CursorFrom $20/mo
WindsurfFrom $15/mo
Our Verdict
Choose Cursor for the most mature AI-native editing experience with powerful agentic coding. Choose Windsurf for a generous free tier and smooth Cascade-driven workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate my VS Code setup?
Yes, both editors are built on VS Code and support importing your existing extensions, settings, and keybindings.
Which has better autocomplete?
Both offer excellent autocomplete. Cursor uses a mix of models, while Windsurf leverages Codeium's purpose-built code completion engine.
Which is better for large projects?
Cursor has a slight edge for very large codebases thanks to its mature indexing system, but Windsurf's Cascade is catching up quickly.
Do they support the same AI models?
Both offer access to GPT-4o, Claude, and other frontier models. Cursor additionally supports bringing your own API keys.