Windsurf vs Cursor: Which AI IDE in 2026?
A practical comparison of Windsurf and Cursor in 2026: pricing, Cascade vs Composer workflows, credit systems, and when to choose each AI IDE.
Editorial Team
The AI Coding Tools Directory editorial team researches and reviews AI-powered development tools to help developers find the best solutions for their workflows.
Windsurf and Cursor are the top AI-native IDEs—both VS Code forks. The main differences: workflow design (Composer vs Cascade), pricing (usage-based vs credits), and deployment (SaaS vs optional self-host).
Quick Answer
Cursor for explicit Composer multi-file edits with diff review and Agent mode. Windsurf for credit-based control, unlimited inline on free, lower Pro price ($15 vs $20), and enterprise self-hosting options.
Feature Comparison Table
How they compare on pricing, workflow, and deployment:
| Feature | Windsurf | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Base | VS Code fork | VS Code fork |
| Free tier | 25 credits/month + unlimited inline | Hobby: trial then limited |
| Pro price | $15/user/month | $20/month |
| Metering | Prompt credits; inline always unlimited | Usage-based premium requests |
| Core workflow | Cascade (agentic + Fast Context) | Composer (multi-file) + Agent |
| Models | Multi-provider + SWE-1.x | 25+ frontier models |
| Self-hosting | Enterprise VPC/on-prem available | No |
| Unlimited inline on free | Yes | No |
Pricing and Value
Windsurf
| Plan | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 25 credits/month + unlimited tab/inline |
| Pro | $15/user/month | 500 credits, Fast Context, premium models |
| Teams | $30/user/month | 500 credits/user, Reviews, admin |
| Enterprise | Custom | VPC/on-prem, SSO, higher credits |
Cursor
| Plan | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $0 | 2-week Pro trial, then limited |
| Pro | $20/month | Unlimited completions, 500 premium requests |
| Pro+ | $60/month | Higher limits, background agents |
| Teams | $40/user/month | SSO, admin dashboard |
Best For
| If you... | Choose... |
|---|---|
| Want explicit multi-file diff review | Cursor (Composer) |
| Want unlimited inline on free tier | Windsurf |
| Prefer lower Pro price | Windsurf ($15 vs $20) |
| Need VPC or on-prem deployment | Windsurf (Enterprise) |
| Want agent mode with terminal execution | Cursor (Agent) |
| Need team code reviews in IDE | Windsurf (Teams Reviews) |
| Value model choice (25+ models) | Cursor |
| Prefer credit-based usage control | Windsurf |
Final Verdict
Cursor excels at explicit multi-file workflows and Agent mode. Windsurf excels at entry cost, unlimited inline on free, and enterprise VPC/on-prem. Prefer structured diff review and heavy agent use? Cursor. Prefer lower cost and deployment flexibility? Windsurf.
Explore more: compare Windsurf and Cursor, Cursor vs Windsurf, full directory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Windsurf and Cursor?
Which is cheaper?
Do both support VS Code extensions?
Which has better agent workflows?
Can I self-host either?
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