Is Cursor or Windsurf better for AI coding?

Cursor is more mature with better multi-file editing (Composer) and model flexibility. Windsurf offers faster autocomplete and a generous free tier. Choose based on your priorities.

Windsurf is generally faster for autocomplete due to Codeium's optimized inference. Cursor can feel heavier but offers more powerful AI features.

Can I use Cursor and Windsurf together?

Not simultaneously, as both are standalone IDEs. However, you can switch between them for different projects. Idlen works with both!

Which has better VS Code compatibility?

Both are VS Code forks with good compatibility. Cursor has been around longer, so more extensions have been tested. Windsurf is catching up quickly.

What about enterprise features?

Both offer enterprise tiers with additional security and admin features. Cursor has more enterprise adoption currently, but Windsurf (via Codeium) is growing fast.

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Cursor vs Windsurf: Which AI-Native IDE Should You Choose?

An in-depth comparison of Cursor and Windsurf AI IDEs. We analyze features, AI capabilities, pricing, and help you choose the best AI coding environment.

Verdict: Cursor for power users and multi-model needs, Windsurf for speed and free usage

Quick Comparison

Cursor

$20/month (Pro)

Best for

Developers who want the most mature AI IDE with multi-model support

Pros

Most established AI-native IDE
Excellent Composer for multi-file editing
Multiple AI models (GPT-4, Claude, etc.)
Strong VS Code compatibility
Active community and frequent updates

Cons

Can be resource-intensive
Learning curve for advanced features
Subscription required for best experience
Some VS Code extensions may not work

Visit Cursor

Windsurf

Free / $15/month (Pro)

Best for

Developers who want a fast, free AI IDE with strong autocomplete

Pros

Generous free tier
Extremely fast autocomplete
Lightweight and performant
Cascade for agentic coding
Good privacy options

Cons

Newer, less mature than Cursor
Smaller community
Fewer model options
Some advanced features still developing

Visit Windsurf

The AI IDE Battle: Cursor vs Windsurf

The AI-native IDE space is heating up. Cursor pioneered the category, but Windsurf (from Codeium) is emerging as a serious contender. Which should you choose?

TL;DR: Choose Cursor for mature AI features and model flexibility. Choose Windsurf for speed, free tier, and fast autocomplete.

The AI IDE Revolution

Both Cursor and Windsurf represent a new paradigm: AI-native IDEs where artificial intelligence isn't an afterthought but the core experience.

Cursor: The Pioneer

Cursor set the standard for AI IDEs:

Composer: Revolutionary multi-file editing with natural language
Tab completion: Context-aware suggestions
Chat: Deep codebase understanding
Cmd+K: Inline code generation

Windsurf: The Challenger

Windsurf brings Codeium's AI expertise to a full IDE:

Cascade: Agentic coding with autonomous actions
Supercomplete: Predictive, multi-line completions
Command: Natural language code editing
Flows: Automated coding workflows

Feature Comparison

Feature	Cursor	Windsurf
Multi-file editing	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Composer)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Cascade)
Autocomplete speed	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Model selection	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Free tier	⭐⭐ (limited)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Resource usage	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maturity	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Privacy options	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Enterprise ready	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐