Cursor vs Windsurf
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.
Windsurf
Quick Verdict
Windsurf excels at ai-native development and large codebases with a score of 91/100. Windsurf, now part of OpenAI following the acquisition of Codeium, competes in the Cursor-class editor category with an emphasis on agentic workflows.
📊 Visual Score Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics across six evaluation criteria
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| 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'. | Primarily powered by OpenAI models (GPT-4.1, o3) with the Cascade agent for agentic workflows. Legacy Codeium models may still be used for low-latency autocomplete. |
| Context Window | The Pro plan provides access to maximum context windows. | Supports large context windows via OpenAI's frontier models. Cascade agent maintains multi-file context for complex refactoring tasks. |
| 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. | Desktop application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Enterprise plans available with SSO and team management features. |
| 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. | Limited offline capabilities; core AI features require cloud connectivity to OpenAI's infrastructure. |
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)
Windsurf Features
- Cascade agent for autonomous multi-step coding tasks
- Agentic workflows for multi-step tasks
- Context-aware code completion and refactoring
- Multi-file edits and project-wide reasoning
- Native editor experience with low-latency responses
- Deep integration with OpenAI models
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing URL | View Cursor Pricing | View Windsurf Pricing |
| Overall Score | 94/100 | 91/100 |
| Best For | AI-Native Development, Code Refactoring, Multi-file Projects, Rapid Prototyping | AI-Native Development, Large Codebases, Agentic Workflows, OpenAI Ecosystem Users |
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
Windsurf Excels At
- Multi-file feature development with agent-guided refactors
- Complex codebase changes coordinated across modules
- Rapid iteration with in-editor AI for generation and fixes
- Teams invested in the OpenAI ecosystem seeking a native editor experience
Performance & Integration
| Category | Cursor | Windsurf | 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. | Windsurf is a standalone VS Code-based editor. Also offers extensions for VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Neovim. | Tie |
| Community | Active community | Active community | Tie |
| Data Richness | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Tie |
| Overall Score | 94/100 | 91/100 | Cursor |
The Bottom Line
Both Cursor and Windsurf are capable AI coding tools, but they serve different needs. Cursor scores higher (94/100 vs 91/100) 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 Windsurf if: you prioritize ai-native development and large codebases and don't mind a slightly lower score for specialized features.