Cursor vs Windsurf

Both solve overlapping problems. Here is where they actually differ.

At a glance

PropertyCursorWindsurf
Pricingfrom $20/mofrom $15/mo
Categorycodingcoding

Which one should you pick?

Cursor

Worth switching editors for if you work in large codebases daily. For occasional scripting, an autocomplete plugin in your existing editor is enough.

  • Refactors that touch many files
  • Onboarding into an unfamiliar codebase

Windsurf

Worth trying if you want agent-style work but are uneasy handing over control entirely — the plan-then-execute flow makes it easier to catch a wrong turn early.

  • Developers wanting agent workflows with review checkpoints

Other comparisons