Which is better for agentic coding, Windsurf or Kiro?

Windsurf scores higher (91/100 vs 85/100) based on our comprehensive evaluation. Windsurf excels in AI-Native Development and Large Codebases, while Kiro is better suited for Agentic Workflows and Spec-Driven Development.

What's the price difference between Windsurf and Kiro?

Both Windsurf and Kiro offer various pricing tiers. Windsurf has detailed pricing on their website. Kiro also provides transparent pricing. Check our comparison table above for the latest pricing details.

Which has better IDE support, Windsurf or Kiro?

Windsurf supports major IDEs. Kiro supports popular development environments. Both tools integrate well with modern development workflows.

Should I switch from Kiro to Windsurf?

Consider switching if you need AI-Native Development. Windsurf scored 91/100 in our evaluation compared to Kiro's 85/100. However, Kiro may still be better if you prioritize Agentic Workflows.

Windsurf vs Kiro

Detailed comparison of features, performance, and use cases

91/100

Windsurf

An AI-powered code editor focused on agentic workflows, multi-file editing, and in-editor refactoring.

AI-Native DevelopmentLarge CodebasesAgentic Workflows

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.

85/100

Kiro

AWS's spec-driven agentic IDE that transforms natural language into structured requirements, designs, and tasks—enabling autonomous AI agents to work for hours or days with persistent context.

Agentic WorkflowsSpec-Driven DevelopmentEnterprise DevelopmentAWS IntegrationLong-Running Tasks

Quick Verdict

Kiro excels at agentic workflows and spec-driven development with a score of 85/100. Kiro represents AWS's strategic entry into agentic coding, differentiated by its unique spec-driven development approach.

📊 Visual Score Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics across six evaluation criteria

Technical Specifications

Feature	Windsurf	Kiro
Core AI Model(s)	Not specified	Claude Sonnet 4.5 as primary model, with Auto mode that combines frontier models with prompt caching to optimize quality, latency, and cost.
Context Window	Not specified	Large context support through Claude Sonnet 4.5. Persistent context across sessions enables multi-day autonomous work without losing project understanding.
Deployment Options	Not specified	Standalone IDE (Code OSS-based) for macOS, Windows, Linux. CLI available for macOS and Linux. No AWS account required—sign in with GitHub, Google, AWS Builder ID, or IAM Identity Center.
Offline Mode	Not specified	Cloud-based, requires internet connection. Core agentic features depend on cloud AI inference.

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

Kiro Features

Spec-driven development with auto-generated requirements.md, design.md, and tasks.md
Autonomous agent that works for hours/days with persistent context
Kiro Powers for dynamic context activation (Stripe, Figma, Datadog)
Property-based testing (PBT) to verify code matches specifications
Native MCP (Model Context Protocol) integration
Agent hooks for automated documentation and testing on file events
Multimodal chat supporting images and UI designs
Agent steering files for project-specific customization

Pricing & Value Analysis

Aspect	Windsurf	Kiro
Pricing URL	View Windsurf Pricing	View Kiro Pricing
Overall Score	91/100	85/100
Best For	AI-Native Development, Large Codebases, Agentic Workflows	Agentic Workflows, Spec-Driven Development, Enterprise Development, AWS Integration, Long-Running Tasks

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

Kiro Excels At

Converting product requirements into structured specs and implementation plans before writing any code—ensuring alignment between stakeholders and developers
Running autonomous agents on complex features overnight, returning to completed implementations with full audit trails of decisions made
Enterprise development where compliance requires traceable specifications that map directly to generated code artifacts

Performance & Integration

Category	Windsurf	Kiro	Winner
IDE Support	Multiple IDEs supported	Kiro is a standalone IDE based on Code OSS. Supports VS Code settings import, Open VSX extensions, and existing themes. CLI available for terminal workflows.	Tie
Community	Limited community	Active community	Tie
Data Richness	Basic	Comprehensive	Kiro
Overall Score	91/100	85/100	Windsurf

The Bottom Line

Both Windsurf and Kiro are capable AI coding tools, but they serve different needs. Windsurf scores higher (91/100 vs 85/100) 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 Kiro if: you prioritize agentic workflows and spec-driven development and don't mind a slightly lower score for specialized features.

Try Windsurf Try Kiro