Windsurf vs Gemini
Windsurf
Quick Verdict
Windsurf excels at ai-native development and large codebases with a score of 91/100. Windsurf competes in the Cursor-class editor category with an emphasis on agentic workflows.
Gemini
Quick Verdict
Gemini excels at google ecosystem and web development with a score of 83/100. Gemini shines within Google's ecosystem, especially for web development and cloud services.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Windsurf | Gemini |
|---|---|---|
| Core AI Model(s) | Not specified | Gemini is a family of multimodal models developed by Google DeepMind, including Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 2.5 Flash, Gemini 2.0, and Gemini Nano. |
| Context Window | Not specified | The context window varies by model. For instance, Gemini 1.5 Pro supports a context window of up to 2 million tokens. |
| Deployment Options | Not specified | Gemini is primarily a cloud-based service available via its web interface and the Gemini API. An on-premises solution is becoming available through Google Distributed Cloud (GDC), which allows organizations to run Gemini models in their own data centers, including in air-gapped environments. |
| Offline Mode | Not specified | No, Gemini is a cloud-based service and requires an internet connection. The on-premise GDC deployment still requires the managed hardware solution and is not a standalone offline application. |
Core Features Comparison
Windsurf Features
- 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
Gemini Features
- Export to Google Docs and Colab
- Integration with Google Workspace and services
- Multimodal understanding for diagrams and code
- Real-time web access for latest documentation
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | Windsurf | Gemini |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing URL | View Windsurf Pricing | View Gemini Pricing |
| Overall Score | 91/100 | 83/100 |
| Best For | AI-Native Development, Large Codebases, Agentic Workflows | Google Ecosystem, Web Development, Documentation |
Best Use Cases
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
Gemini Excels At
- Google Cloud development with integrated access to GCP documentation and best practices
- Web development projects with real-time access to the latest framework documentation and examples
- Educational content creation by exporting code explanations and tutorials to Google Docs and Colab
Performance & Integration
| Category | Windsurf | Gemini | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDE Support | Multiple IDEs supported | Google offers official Gemini extensions for VS Code and the JetBrains suite of IDEs. | Tie |
| Community | Limited community | Active community | Tie |
| Data Richness | Basic | Comprehensive | Gemini |
| Overall Score | 91/100 | 83/100 | Windsurf |
The Bottom Line
Both Windsurf and Gemini are capable AI coding tools, but they serve different needs. Windsurf scores higher (91/100 vs 83/100) and excels in ai-native development and large codebases. The choice depends on your specific workflow, team size, and technical requirements.
Choose Windsurf if: you prioritize ai-native development and large codebases and want the higher-rated option (91/100).
Choose Gemini if: you prioritize google ecosystem and web development and don't mind a slightly lower score for specialized features.