Quick Comparison
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Autocomplete
CursorCursor's tab completion is the market benchmark for AI autocomplete.
Agentic Coding
TieBoth offer agentic workflows. Cursor has Composer; Windsurf has Cascade. Both can plan and execute multi-step tasks.
Community
CursorCursor has a larger community, more tutorials, and a longer track record.
Pricing
WindsurfWindsurf Pro is $15/month vs Cursor Pro at $20/month.
Speed
WindsurfWindsurf is generally reported as slightly faster in day-to-day use.
The Verdict
Choose Cursor for its proven track record, best-in-class autocomplete, and larger community. Choose Windsurf if you want strong agentic workflows, a lower price point, and you are evaluating Cursor alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use Cursor or Windsurf?
If you have never used either, try Cursor first, it has the larger community and more proven track record. Windsurf is an excellent alternative worth testing, particularly for its Cascade agentic features.
Is Windsurf free?
Windsurf has a free tier with limited AI requests. Pro plans start at $15/month.