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.