Cursor vs Windsurf AI: Which AI Code Editor Should You Choose?

Coding is getting easier thanks to artificial intelligence. Two popular AI coding tools are making waves: Cursor and Windsurf AI. Both help you write code faster and with fewer mistakes, but they work differently.

If you’re wondering which one to choose, this guide will help. We’ll look at how each tool works, what they cost, and which one might be best for you. By the end, you’ll know exactly which AI coding assistant fits your needs.

What are Cursor and Windsurf AI coding tools?

Think of these tools as smart coding assistants that live inside your code editor. They can write code for you, fix mistakes, and even explain what the code does.

Cursor overview

Cursor is like having a coding expert sitting next to you. It’s built on top of Visual Studio Code (VS Code), which is a popular code editor. Cursor adds AI superpowers to help you code better and faster.

Here’s what makes Cursor special:

• It can write entire functions for you

• It understands your project and suggests relevant code

• You can chat with it to ask coding questions

• It has lots of advanced features for experienced coders

Cursor is great for people who want a lot of control over their AI assistant. If you like to customize things and use advanced features, Cursor might be perfect for you. Want to learn more? Check out our guide on how to use Cursor AI.

Windsurf overview

Windsurf takes a simpler approach. It’s also built on VS Code but focuses on being easy to use. Think of it as the “iPhone” of AI coding tools - it just works without much setup.

What makes Windsurf different:

• Super clean and simple interface

• Automatically understands your code without extra setup

• Has a smart agent called “Cascade” that can do complex tasks

• Perfect for beginners who want AI help without complexity

Windsurf is ideal if you want powerful AI features but don’t want to spend time learning complex tools. For a complete walkthrough, see our how to use Windsurf AI tutorial.

Cursor vs Windsurf AI features comparison

Let’s look at how these tools actually help you code better.

AI code writing and completion

Both tools can write code for you, but they do it differently.

Cursor gives you multiple ways to get AI help:

• Type a comment, and it writes the code

• Highlight the code and ask it to improve it

• Chat with it like you’re talking to a coding buddy

• It can even write entire files from scratch

Windsurf focuses on making AI help feel natural:

• It automatically suggests code as you type

• Understands your whole project, not just one file

• Remembers what you like and adapts to your style

• Less clicking, more smooth coding

How easy they are to use

This is where the tools really differ.

Cursor has lots of buttons and options everywhere. It’s powerful but can feel overwhelming at first. It’s like a Swiss Army knife - great once you know how to use all the tools.

Windsurf keeps things clean and straightforward. The interface is beautiful and doesn’t clutter your screen. It’s like a well-designed smartphone app – everything makes sense.

Understanding your code project

When you’re working on a big project with many files, the AI needs to understand how everything connects.

Cursor lets you manually tell it which files to look at. You can add specific files, documentation, or even web pages to help it understand your project better. This gives you control but requires more work.

Windsurf automatically figures out what files are important for your current task. It’s like having a smart assistant who already knows your project inside and out.

Smart automation features

Both tools can do tasks automatically, but in different ways.

Cursor has an “agent” that can run commands and make changes across multiple files. It shows you each step and asks for permission before doing anything major.

Windsurf has “Cascade,” which works more independently. It can analyze your code, run tests, and make changes without asking for permission at every step. It’s faster but gives you less control.

Working with other tools

Both tools work with the same extensions and plugins as VS Code, so you can add extra features easily.

Cursor focuses on integrating AI into everything you do. It has AI-powered debugging, error fixing, and even helps write commit messages for Git.

Windsurf also works with VS Code extensions but keeps the focus on its core AI features. It even has browser extensions that let you use its AI in other coding environments.

User experience and ease of use

How easy is it to start using these tools?

Getting started

Windsurf is designed for beginners. You can download it, open a project, and start getting AI help immediately—no complex setup is required.

Cursor has more features, which means more things to learn. It’s like learning to drive a car with lots of advanced features - powerful once you know how, but takes time to master.

Daily use

Windsurf stays out of your way. The interface is clean, and the AI help feels natural. You focus on coding, not on managing the tool.

Cursor gives you more control but requires more decisions. Do you want this AI feature on or off? Which files should the AI consider? It’s powerful but requires more mental energy.

Learning difficulty

For beginners: Windsurf is much easier to learn. You can be productive in minutes.

For experienced coders: Cursor offers more advanced features that experienced developers will appreciate, but it takes longer to learn everything.

Cursor vs Windsurf AI pricing comparison

Both tools offer free and paid plans.

Free versions

Windsurf gives you:

• 5 AI requests per day

• Two-week trial of premium features

• Access to basic AI help

Cursor gives you:

• 2,000 basic code completions per month

• 50 advanced AI requests per month

• Two-week trial of premium features

Paid plans

Windsurf: $15 per month

• 500 fast AI requests

• All premium features

• Better AI models

Cursor: $20 per month

• 500 fast AI requests

• Advanced debugging tools

• Experimental features like bug detection

Which offers better value?

Windsurf is cheaper and easier to use. Great value if you want simple, powerful AI help.

Cursor costs more but has more advanced features. Better value if you’ll use the extra tools.

AI code quality and performance

How well do these tools actually work?

Quality of generated code

Both tools use advanced AI models and generally produce good code. The main differences:

Cursor often gives you more precise results when you provide detailed instructions. It’s like having a very skilled assistant who needs clear directions.

Windsurf is better at understanding what you want with minimal instructions. It’s like having an assistant who can read your mind.

Speed

Windsurf typically responds faster because it’s optimized for speed and simplicity.

Cursor might be slower during complex operations, but it offers more detailed results.

Helping fix problems

Cursor has advanced debugging tools and can even scan your code for potential bugs before they become problems.

Windsurf focuses more on preventing errors by writing good code from the start, rather than fixing problems later.

Which AI code editor should you choose?

Here’s our simple guide to help you decide:

Choose Cursor if:

You’re an experienced developer who wants maximum control over AI features.

You work on complex projects that need detailed AI assistance and advanced debugging tools.

You like customizing your tools and don’t mind spending time learning new features.

You want the most advanced AI coding features available, even if they’re more complex to use.

Choose Windsurf if:

You’re new to coding or new to AI-assisted coding tools.

You prefer simple, clean interfaces that don’t overwhelm you with options.

You want AI help without lots of setup or configuration.

Budget matters, and you want a powerful tool for less money.

Conclusion

Both tools are excellent choices for AI-assisted coding, but they serve different needs.

Windsurf is perfect for beginners and developers who want powerful AI help without complexity. Its clean interface and automatic features make coding with AI feel natural and easy.

Cursor is ideal for experienced developers who want advanced features and don’t mind a learning curve. It offers more control and specialized tools for complex coding tasks.

Our recommendation: Start with the free version of both tools. Try coding a small project in each one. You’ll quickly discover which style of AI assistance feels more natural for your way of working. To get started building your own AI-powered tools or deepen your understanding of AI in development, try Codecademy’s OpenAI API Coding with Python course.

Frequently asked questions

1. Which AI is best for coding?

The best AI for coding depends on your experience level and needs. For beginners, tools like Windsurf AI that combine powerful AI with simple interfaces work best. Experienced developers might prefer tools like Cursor that offer more control and advanced features.

2. Is cursor better than cline?

Cursor is a complete AI-powered code editor, while Cline is an extension you add to VS Code. Cursor provides an integrated experience with built-in AI features. Cline is more flexible if you want to keep your current VS Code setup and just add AI capabilities.

3. Is windsurf AI free?

Windsurf AI has a limited free plan with 5 AI requests per day and a two-week trial of premium features. For unlimited use, you need the paid plan at $15 per month.

4. Is cursor free to use?

Cursor offers a free plan with 2,000 basic completions and 50 advanced requests per month, plus a two-week premium trial. The paid plan costs $20 per month for unlimited access to all features.

5. Is cascade free in Windsurf?

Cascade (Windsurf’s AI agent) is available on the free plan but is limited to 5 daily requests. For unlimited Cascade usage, you need the paid subscription.

6. Is windsurf a VS Code fork?

Yes, Windsurf is built on VS Code, which means it looks and works like VS Code but with added AI features. This makes it familiar to anyone who has used VS Code before.