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Top 7 Alternatives to Cursor in 2025
The best alternatives to Cursor are Claude Code (98/100) for agentic coding, GitHub Copilot (94/100) for broad IDE support, and Windsurf (91/100) as the closest direct competitor. Each offers different strengths depending on whether you prioritize autonomy, compatibility, or a similar AI-native IDE experience.
Quick Comparison: Cursor Alternatives
| Tool | Score | Best For | Price | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | 98/100 | Agentic coding, autonomous tasks | $20/mo | Terminal CLI |
| GitHub Copilot | 94/100 | Universal IDE support | $10/mo | IDE Extension |
| Windsurf | 91/100 | AI-native IDE alternative | $15/mo | AI IDE |
| JetBrains AI | 90/100 | JetBrains IDE users | $10/mo | IDE Plugin |
| Zed AI | 84/100 | Speed, collaborative editing | Free* | AI IDE |
| Cline | 80/100 | VS Code agentic extension | Free* | VS Code Extension |
| Aider | 79/100 | Terminal pair programming | Free* | Terminal CLI |
*Free tools require your own API key for the underlying LLM.
Why Look for Cursor Alternatives?
Cursor is an excellent AI-native IDE, but developers consider alternatives for several reasons:
Keep Your Existing IDE
GitHub Copilot and JetBrains AI let you stay in your familiar VS Code, Neovim, or JetBrains environment without switching editors.
More Autonomous Coding
Claude Code offers more advanced agentic capabilities, autonomously planning and executing complex multi-file tasks with human oversight.
Lower Cost
Cursor Pro costs $20/month. GitHub Copilot is $10/month, and tools like Cline and Aider are free (you bring your own API key).
Different Workflow
Some prefer terminal-based tools like Claude Code or Aider that integrate with any editor rather than replacing it.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cursor | Claude Code | GitHub Copilot | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-file editing | Excellent | Excellent | Limited | Excellent |
| Agentic mode | Good | Industry-leading | Basic | Good |
| IDE integration | Standalone (VS Code fork) | Any IDE + terminal | Universal extensions | Standalone |
| Model selection | Multiple (Claude, GPT, Gemini) | Claude models | Multiple | Multiple |
| Context window | 128K tokens | 200K tokens | ~8K tokens | 128K tokens |
| Price/month | $20 | $20 | $10 | $15 |
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Choose Claude Code if...
- You want the most autonomous AI coding experience
- You prefer terminal-based workflows
- You work on complex, multi-file refactoring tasks
- You want to keep your existing IDE
Choose GitHub Copilot if...
- You want to stay in VS Code, Neovim, or your current IDE
- You need broad language and framework support
- You prefer inline suggestions over chat-based interaction
- Budget is a concern ($10/mo vs $20/mo)
Choose Windsurf if...
- You want an AI-native IDE similar to Cursor
- You want a slightly lower price point
- You appreciate Codeium's approach to AI coding
Choose Cline or Aider if...
- You want free tools (bring your own API key)
- You prefer open-source solutions
- You want VS Code extension (Cline) or terminal (Aider) workflows
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free alternative to Cursor?
Yes. Cline (VS Code extension) and Aider (terminal) are both free and open source, though they require your own API key for the underlying LLM. Zed AI also offers free AI features.
Is Claude Code better than Cursor?
Claude Code excels at autonomous, agentic tasks and works with any IDE. Cursor provides a more polished visual IDE experience. Choose Claude Code for complex autonomous workflows; choose Cursor for integrated visual editing.
Can I use GitHub Copilot in VS Code instead of Cursor?
Yes. GitHub Copilot works as an extension in standard VS Code and many other editors. This lets you keep your existing setup while getting AI assistance, though without Cursor's deeper AI integration.
What's the closest alternative to Cursor's AI IDE experience?
Windsurf (by Codeium) is the most similar, offering a comparable AI-native IDE experience with multi-file editing and integrated AI chat at a lower price point.