Draft sample comparison
Cursor vs Windsurf
Two AI code editors built on VS Code. Cursor is known for its Agent and fast Tab completions. Windsurf is built around Cascade, its coding agent.
Reviewed
Draft sample copy for layout testing. Claims come from vendor documentation and have not been checked hands-on yet.
What matters for your decision
How the agent works
Cursor’s Agent works through a task in the editor and shows each change for review. Windsurf’s Cascade follows what you do in the editor as it works.
Completions
Both suggest code as you type. Cursor calls its version Tab. Windsurf ships its own completion model.
Model choice
Both let you pick from several frontier models, and both lists change often.
Side by side
Cursor vs Windsurf, side by side
Sample rows for layout testing. Each claim links to the vendor documentation it came from.
Editing
| What you need | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Editor base | Supported Built on VS Code, so most extensions and settings carry over.[1] | Supported Built on VS Code, with a similar extension story.[2] |
| Agent mode | Supported Agent plans and makes multi-file changes, then shows them for review. | Supported Cascade plans and makes multi-file changes inside the editor. |
| Inline completions | Supported Tab suggests multi-line edits as you type. | Supported Built-in completions suggest code as you type. |
Workflow
| What you need | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Model choice | Supported Choose from several frontier models. | Supported Choose from several frontier models. |
| Project rules | Supported Rules files in the repo guide the agent.[1] | Supported Rules and memories guide Cascade.[2] |
| Plans | Supported Free tier, plus paid individual and team plans.[3] | Supported Free tier, plus paid individual and team plans.[4] |
Getting set up
Day-to-day editing
Most of the difference shows up in small moments: how often a completion is right, how clearly the agent explains a change, and how easy it is to undo.
Try both on the same repository for a day before you decide.
Pricing
Cursor
Free tier, plus paid individual and team plans.
Windsurf
Free tier, plus paid individual and team plans.
Which one fits you
Choose Cursor if…
You want a strong agent and fast completions in a setup that feels like VS Code.
Choose Windsurf if…
You want an agent that follows your editor activity closely and a free tier to start with.
Questions before you choose
Is this comparison final?
No. This is draft sample copy used to test the page layout. We will check every claim before it goes live.
Can I keep my VS Code extensions?
Mostly, yes. Both editors are built on VS Code, so most extensions and settings carry over.
Do I need my own API key?
No. Both include model access in their plans. Check each pricing page for current limits.
Still deciding?
Open the same repo in both editors for a day. The one you stop noticing is usually the right one.