Cursor vs Windsurf:
AI Code Editors Tested Head-to-Head
Cursor costs $20/month and delivers professional-grade AI coding. Windsurf is free (or $10-22 paid) and nearly as good. We tested both on the same React/TypeScript project for a week to find the real differences.
The TL;DR
Choose Windsurf if you...
- • Want a strong free tier (no credit card)
- • Code less than 15 hours per week
- • Are learning to code or building side projects
- • Prefer paying $10-22 instead of $20
Choose Cursor if you...
- • Code professionally (20+ hours/week)
- • Work with large codebases (50+ files)
- • Need the most accurate completions
- • Value polish and reliability over price
How We Tested
We spent a week building the same Next.js 14 project in both editors. The test project: a dashboard with authentication, API routes, Prisma database, and TailwindCSS. About 40 files, 3,000 lines of TypeScript.
We measured: completion acceptance rate (how often we kept the AI suggestion), time to complete tasks, multi-file edit success, and how often the AI broke working code. Both editors used similar models (GPT-4 class) for fair comparison.
This isn't a "which is better?" article with a predetermined winner. We'll show where each tool excels and where it falls short.
Windsurf: The Free AI Editor by Codeium
Windsurf launched in late 2025 as Codeium's answer to Cursor. It's a VS Code fork with AI baked in — completions, chat, and multi-file edits (called "Cascade"). The killer feature: a genuinely useful free tier with no time limits.
The free plan includes unlimited GPT-3.5-level completions and basic Cascade flows. Upgrade to Pro ($10/month) for GPT-4, or Ultimate ($22/month) for Claude Opus and unlimited usage. It's cheaper than Cursor at every tier.
Windsurf uses a feature called Supercomplete — it predicts 2-3 lines at once instead of single-line completions. When it works, it's faster than typing. When it doesn't, you waste time deleting wrong code.
Cursor: The Premium AI Editor
Cursor was the first truly good AI code editor. Also a VS Code fork, but more polished. It costs $20/month (no free tier beyond a 2-week trial), but the quality gap over free tools is noticeable.
Cursor's big advantage is the 200K context window. It can read and understand your entire codebase — every file, dependency, and config. Windsurf's free tier is limited to ~20K tokens; even Ultimate caps at 100K.
The Cmd+K inline prompt is faster and smarter than any competitor. Type "add error handling" and Cursor edits the exact function you're looking at. Composer mode handles multi-file changes across 10+ files reliably.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Windsurf | Cursor | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Unlimited (GPT-3.5) | 2-week trial only | Windsurf |
| Pro Price | $10/mo (Pro) $22/mo (Ultimate) | $20/mo | Windsurf |
| Code Completion | Supercomplete (2-3 lines) | Tab (1-3 lines) | Cursor |
| Acceptance Rate | ~65% (our tests) | ~72% (our tests) | Cursor |
| AI Chat | Cascade AI | Cmd+L Chat | Tie |
| Codebase Indexing | 20K (free) 100K (Ultimate) | 200K tokens | Cursor |
| Multi-File Editing | Cascade (good for small changes) | Composer (handles large refactors) | Cursor |
| Base Editor | VS Code fork | VS Code fork | Tie |
| Model Support | GPT-3.5/4, Claude, Gemini | GPT-4, Claude, custom | Windsurf |
| Extensions Support | Full VS Code marketplace | Full VS Code marketplace | Tie |
Code Completion: Cursor Wins on Accuracy
We tracked 200 completions in each editor. Cursor's acceptance rate: 72%. Windsurf: 65%. Both are impressive, but when you're coding 30+ hours per week, 7% adds up.
Windsurf's Supercomplete predicts multiple lines at once. Example: type async function fetchUser and it suggests the entire function body including error handling. When it's right, it saves 10 seconds. When it's wrong, you delete 5 lines.
Cursor's Tab completion is more conservative — usually 1-2 lines. It feels slower but breaks less often. For TypeScript projects with strict types, Cursor understood our interfaces better and suggested correct property names 85% of the time vs Windsurf's 78%.
Verdict: Cursor has better accuracy. Windsurf is more aggressive (which can be faster or more annoying depending on the task).
AI Chat: Cascade vs Composer
Both editors have AI chat modes that can edit multiple files. Windsurf calls it Cascade. Cursor calls it Composer. They work similarly but with different strengths.
Windsurf Cascade is better for small, focused changes. We asked it to "add a loading spinner to the submit button" and it correctly updated the component, added state, and imported the spinner. Done in one shot.
Cursor Composer shines on large refactors. We asked it to "convert this class component to hooks" across 8 files. Cursor handled it without breaking tests. Windsurf struggled when changes spanned more than 5 files — it lost context and made conflicting edits.
The chat quality itself is similar. Both use GPT-4 or Claude depending on your settings. Cursor's advantage comes from the larger context window — it remembers your entire project, not just recent files.
Pricing: Windsurf Wins on Value
Windsurf Pricing
Free (Forever)
- • Unlimited usage (GPT-3.5 level)
- • Basic Cascade flows
- • 20K context window
Pro: $10/month
- • GPT-4 completions
- • Advanced Cascade
- • 50K context window
Ultimate: $22/month
- • Claude Opus + GPT-4
- • Unlimited requests
- • 100K context window
Cursor Pricing
Free Trial
- • 2 weeks full access
- • All features unlocked
- • Credit card required
Pro: $20/month
- • 500 fast requests/month
- • Unlimited slow requests
- • 200K context window
- • GPT-4, Claude, custom models
Business: $40/month
- • Unlimited fast requests
- • Privacy mode (data not logged)
- • Team admin features
Value winner: Windsurf. The free tier is legitimately useful for students and hobbyists. Pro at $10 is half the price of Cursor. Even Ultimate ($22) gives you Claude Opus, which Cursor charges $20 for with GPT-4 only.
What Each Tool Does Better
Windsurf Wins On:
- •Price. Free tier is great for learning. $10 Pro beats Cursor's $20 for most use cases.
- •Model variety. Access to GPT-3.5/4, Claude, and Gemini. Cursor only offers GPT-4 and Claude on Pro.
- •Small, focused edits. Cascade is fast when you need a single-file or 2-3 file change.
- •No commitment. Free forever, no credit card, no trial expiration.
Cursor Wins On:
- •Completion accuracy. 72% acceptance vs 65%. More correct suggestions = less time fixing mistakes.
- •Large codebase awareness. 200K context window reads your entire project. Windsurf maxes at 100K.
- •Multi-file refactoring. Composer handles 10+ file changes reliably. Windsurf struggles beyond 5 files.
- •Polish and UX. Faster response times, fewer bugs, cleaner UI. Feels more finished.
- •TypeScript support. Better type inference, smarter interface suggestions.
What Other Users Say: G2 and Community Ratings
Our testing is one data point. Here is what thousands of developers report on review platforms:
| Platform | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| G2 Rating | 4.7/5 (350+ reviews) | 4.4/5 (80+ reviews) |
| Reddit Sentiment | Mostly positive, complaints about pricing | Positive for free tier, mixed for paid |
| GitHub Stars (Related) | Cursor: closed-source | Codeium extensions: 1,200+ |
| Common Complaint | "500 fast requests run out too quickly" | "Free tier quality dropped after launch hype" |
Sources: G2.com verified reviews (checked February 2026), r/cursor and r/windsurf community discussions.
Our Recommendation (Nuanced)
For Professional Developers:
Cursor. If you code 20+ hours per week and your time is worth $50/hour, the extra $10/month pays for itself in the first day. The completion accuracy, larger context, and Composer reliability save 1-2 hours daily.
For Students & Hobbyists:
Windsurf Free. You get 80% of Cursor's value for $0. The free tier has no time limit and includes Cascade. Learn to code with AI assistance without spending money. Upgrade to Pro ($10) when you start freelancing.
For Freelancers & Small Teams:
Either works. If you're budget-conscious: Windsurf Pro ($10). If you value quality over price: Cursor ($20). Both will speed up your work significantly. The difference is marginal for projects under 50 files.
For Large Codebases (100+ files):
Cursor. The 200K context window is essential. Windsurf's 100K limit (even on Ultimate) means it forgets important context on big refactors. Cursor Composer handles enterprise-scale projects better.
Honest take: Neither tool is bad. Windsurf gives you 85% of Cursor's quality at 50% of the price (or free). Cursor gives you the last 15% — which matters a lot if you're a professional, and barely at all if you're learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windsurf better than Cursor?
Not quite. Cursor has better code completion accuracy (72% vs 65% acceptance rate), a larger context window (200K vs 100K tokens), and more reliable multi-file edits. Windsurf wins on price — its free tier is generous, while Cursor requires $20/month for full features. Choose Windsurf if budget matters, Cursor if you code professionally.
Does Windsurf have a free tier?
Yes. Windsurf offers unlimited free usage with GPT-3.5-level completions. The free tier includes Cascade AI flow, basic code completion, and chat. Upgrade to Pro ($10/month) for GPT-4-level models and better context awareness, or Ultimate ($22/month) for Claude Opus and unlimited requests.
What is Windsurf Cascade?
Cascade is Windsurf's AI flow that handles multi-step coding tasks. You describe what you want (e.g., "add authentication to this app"), and Cascade breaks it into steps, edits multiple files, and runs tests. It's similar to Cursor's Composer mode but works better with smaller changes. Cursor Composer is stronger for large refactors.
Which is better for beginners: Windsurf or Cursor?
Windsurf, because the free tier lets you learn without commitment. Both editors have similar UIs (VS Code forks), but Windsurf's lower price and generous free plan make it easier to start. Once you're coding 10+ hours per week and making money from it, upgrade to Cursor for better quality.
Can I use Cursor and Windsurf with my own API keys?
Yes, both editors support bringing your own API keys. Cursor lets you connect OpenAI, Anthropic, or Azure keys in Settings > Models. Windsurf supports custom keys for GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini. Using your own keys bypasses the monthly request limits but means you pay per-token directly to the AI provider.
How much does Cursor cost per year?
Cursor Pro costs $20/month ($192/year with annual billing, saving roughly $48). Cursor Business is $40/month ($384/year). There is no permanent free tier — only a 2-week trial. By comparison, Windsurf Pro is $10/month ($96/year) and has a free-forever tier.
Does Windsurf work with all programming languages?
Yes. Since Windsurf is a VS Code fork, it supports every language VS Code supports — Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Rust, Java, C++, and more. The AI completions work best with TypeScript, Python, and JavaScript because training data is richest for those languages. Same applies to Cursor.
NeuronWriter
Write SEO-optimized articles about AI code editors
Bottom Line
Windsurf is the best free AI code editor in 2026. It's nearly as good as Cursor for half the price (or free).
Cursor is the best paid AI code editor. If you code professionally, the quality gap justifies $20/month. If you're learning or building side projects, Windsurf Free is enough.