Cursor vs Gemini CLI
Cursor
Quick Verdict
Cursor excels at ai-native development and code refactoring with a score of 94/100. Cursor delivers the most polished AI-native IDE experience, with seamless integration of frontier models directly into the editing workflow.
Gemini CLI
Quick Verdict
Gemini CLI excels at terminal-first workflows and free ai coding with a score of 86/100. Gemini CLI democratizes AI-assisted terminal workflows with a generous free tier that rivals paid alternatives.
📊 Visual Score Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics across six evaluation criteria
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Cursor | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Core AI Model(s) | Supports frontier models including Claude Sonnet 4, OpenAI o3-pro, OpenAI GPT-4.1, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Claude Opus 4. It also utilizes custom, purpose-built models for features like its native autocomplete, 'Tab'. | Gemini 3 Pro (most intelligent, 1M context), Gemini 3 Flash (fast, 78% SWE-bench). Configurable model selection. |
| Context Window | The Pro plan provides access to maximum context windows. | 1M tokens with Gemini 3 Pro for massive codebase understanding. |
| Deployment Options | Cursor is a downloadable desktop application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. For teams, it offers an Enterprise plan with SAML/OIDC SSO and SCIM seat management for centralized administration. | npm install -g @google/gemini-cli. Open-source for self-hosting and modification. |
| Offline Mode | Cursor has offline capabilities. A GitHub repository provides a guide for offline activation, enabling all features to work without a cloud or login requirement in airgapped systems. However, some users have reported difficulty using agent mode specifically in an offline setting. | Cloud-based, requires internet for model inference. Local tools can execute offline. |
Core Features Comparison
Cursor Features
- AI-powered code completion and generation
- Multi-file code editing with AI chat
- Advanced code understanding and refactoring
- Integrated terminal and debugging tools
- Native Docker and deployment integration
- Multiple frontier model support (Claude, GPT-4, Gemini)
Gemini CLI Features
- Free tier: 60 requests/min, 1000 requests/day with personal Google account
- Gemini 3 Pro and Flash models with 1M token context
- Built-in tools: Google Search grounding, file ops, shell commands, web fetch
- MCP (Model Context Protocol) for custom integrations
- ReAct loop for complex multi-step reasoning
- Open-source under Apache 2.0 license
- VS Code Gemini Code Assist integration
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | Cursor | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing URL | View Cursor Pricing | View Gemini CLI Pricing |
| Overall Score | 94/100 | 86/100 |
| Best For | AI-Native Development, Code Refactoring, Multi-file Projects, Rapid Prototyping | Terminal-First Workflows, Free AI Coding, Google Ecosystem Integration, Extensible Automation, Large Context Tasks |
Best Use Cases
Cursor Excels At
- Large-scale refactoring across multiple files with AI understanding the full codebase context
- Building complex features by describing functionality in natural language and letting AI generate the implementation
- Code reviews and debugging with AI analyzing relationships between files and suggesting improvements
Gemini CLI Excels At
- Free AI coding assistance with generous rate limits for individual developers and small teams
- Large codebase understanding with 1M token context—analyze entire repositories without truncation
- Extensible automation by connecting Figma, Stripe, Datadog, and other tools via MCP integrations
Performance & Integration
| Category | Cursor | Gemini CLI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDE Support | Cursor is a standalone code editor that is a fork of VS Code. This allows users to import their existing VS Code extensions, themes, and keybindings with a single click. | Terminal-native, IDE-agnostic. VS Code integration via Gemini Code Assist. | Tie |
| Community | Active community | Active community | Tie |
| Data Richness | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Tie |
| Overall Score | 94/100 | 86/100 | Cursor |
The Bottom Line
Both Cursor and Gemini CLI are capable AI coding tools, but they serve different needs. Cursor scores higher (94/100 vs 86/100) and excels in ai-native development and code refactoring. The choice depends on your specific workflow, team size, and technical requirements.
Choose Cursor if: you prioritize ai-native development and code refactoring and want the higher-rated option (94/100).
Choose Gemini CLI if: you prioritize terminal-first workflows and free ai coding and don't mind a slightly lower score for specialized features.