Cursor vs Windsurf (2026)
Cursor and Windsurf are both ai coding tools. Here's how they compare on price, features, and what each does best — verified 2026-06-16.
| Cursor | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free + from $20/mo | Free + from $10/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Rating | ★ 4.5/5 | ★ 4.1/5 |
| Best for | Agentic multi-step coding tasks, Developers wanting a full AI-native IDE, Multi-file refactoring and codebase chat | Developers wanting free unlimited autocomplete, Agentic multi-step coding workflows, Budget-conscious developers |
| Runs on | GPT, Claude, Gemini | GPT, Claude |
Verdict
For most users, Cursor is the stronger overall choice (4.5/5) — best for Agentic multi-step coding tasks and Developers wanting a full AI-native IDE. Pick Windsurf if you specifically need Developers wanting free unlimited autocomplete.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; it never affects our verdict.
FAQ
Is Cursor or Windsurf better?
Cursor rates slightly higher overall (4.5 vs 4.1), but the right pick depends on your use case: choose Cursor for Agentic multi-step coding tasks, or Windsurf for Developers wanting free unlimited autocomplete.
Which is cheaper, Cursor or Windsurf?
Cursor is Free + from $20/mo; Windsurf is Free + from $10/mo. Windsurf has the lower entry price. Prices verified 2026-06-16 — check each site for current plans.
Do Cursor and Windsurf have free plans?
Cursor: yes. Windsurf: yes.