Name change: Cognition has renamed Windsurf to Devin Desktop, and windsurf.com now redirects to devin.ai. Cognition says only the name and branding change — existing plans, pricing, extensions and settings carry over on an over-the-air update, and legacy Windsurf Enterprise plans are unaffected. Windsurf for JetBrains keeps its name and remains available. New buyers sign up on Devin’s tiers: Free, Pro $20/mo, Max $200/mo, and Team at $80/mo plus $40 per full dev seat.
Full reviews: Cursor review · Windsurf review
Cursor and Windsurf are the two leading AI-first code editors. Both are VS Code-based with strong agents; Cursor is the more mature and polished, Windsurf is the clean, approachable challenger.
Quick verdict
- Choose Cursor for the most mature agent, the largest community, and the most polished experience.
- Choose Windsurf for a clean, approachable workflow and unlimited Tab completion on every plan.
Head to head
| Cursor | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Agent | Most mature | Cascade (smooth) |
| Entry price | $20/mo | $20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes (Hobby) | Yes (unlimited Tab) |
| Ecosystem | Larger | Smaller |
| Billing | Usage-based credits | Daily/weekly quotas |
Bottom line
Pick Cursor for maturity and ecosystem; try Windsurf for a cleaner workflow and generous Tab completion. Read the full Cursor review and Windsurf review.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Cursor or Windsurf?
Both start at $20/mo, so entry pricing is the same. They differ in billing style: Cursor uses usage-based credits, while Windsurf uses daily/weekly quotas.
Which has a better free plan?
Both offer a free tier. Cursor’s free tier is called Hobby, while Windsurf’s free tier includes unlimited Tab completion on every plan, including free.
Which has the more mature agent and larger ecosystem?
Cursor. Its agent is described as the most mature option, and it has a larger ecosystem and community than Windsurf.
Which should I pick for a cleaner, simpler workflow?
Windsurf, which is built around a clean, approachable workflow with its Cascade agent, plus unlimited Tab completion on every plan.