Windsurf vs Sourcegraph Cody
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.
Sourcegraph Cody
Quick Verdict
Sourcegraph Cody excels at enterprise codebases and code search with a score of 89/100. Cody excels at understanding large, complex codebases across multiple repositories.
π Visual Score Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics across six evaluation criteria
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Windsurf | Sourcegraph Cody |
|---|---|---|
| Core AI Model(s) | 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. | Not specified |
| Context Window | Supports large context windows via OpenAI's frontier models. Cascade agent maintains multi-file context for complex refactoring tasks. | Not specified |
| Deployment Options | Desktop application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Enterprise plans available with SSO and team management features. | Not specified |
| Offline Mode | Limited offline capabilities; core AI features require cloud connectivity to OpenAI's infrastructure. | Not specified |
Core Features Comparison
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
Sourcegraph Cody Features
- Deep codebase context and understanding
- AI-powered code search and navigation
- Multi-repository code intelligence
- Enterprise-grade security and deployment options
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | Windsurf | Sourcegraph Cody |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing URL | View Windsurf Pricing | View Sourcegraph Cody Pricing |
| Overall Score | 91/100 | 89/100 |
| Best For | AI-Native Development, Large Codebases, Agentic Workflows, OpenAI Ecosystem Users | Enterprise Codebases, Code Search, Large-scale Projects |
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
- Teams invested in the OpenAI ecosystem seeking a native editor experience
Sourcegraph Cody Excels At
- Enterprise codebase navigation and understanding across multiple repositories and microservices
- Technical support and troubleshooting by analyzing complex codebases and providing contextual solutions
- Code modernization and migration projects with deep understanding of legacy system dependencies
Performance & Integration
| Category | Windsurf | Sourcegraph Cody | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDE Support | Windsurf is a standalone VS Code-based editor. Also offers extensions for VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Neovim. | Multiple IDEs supported | Tie |
| Community | Active community | Limited community | Tie |
| Data Richness | Comprehensive | Basic | Windsurf |
| Overall Score | 91/100 | 89/100 | Windsurf |
The Bottom Line
Both Windsurf and Sourcegraph Cody are capable AI coding tools, but they serve different needs. Windsurf scores higher (91/100 vs 89/100) 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 Sourcegraph Cody if: you prioritize enterprise codebases and code search and don't mind a slightly lower score for specialized features.