Cursor vs JetBrains AI
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Cursor | JetBrains AI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $20/mo (Pro), $40/user/mo (Teams) | Subscription with JetBrains IDE (All Tools pack ~$299/yr) |
| Best For | Autonomous coding & multi-agent workflows | Context-aware assistance in JetBrains IDEs |
| Key Differentiator | Agent mode, cloud agents, Slack/GitHub integration | Deep IDE integration, local Mellum2 model |
| Recent Controversy | None | Plugins were caught stealing AI keys (June 2026) |
| Acquisition News | SpaceX acquiring for $60B (June 2026) | None |
| Integration Style | Replaces VS Code, extensible via Cursor SDK | Built into JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, PyCharm, etc.) |
Choose Cursor if you want an autonomous AI coding agent that plans, codes, tests, and demos features end-to-end, and you're okay leaving JetBrains behind. Stick with JetBrains AI if you're deeply invested in JetBrains IDEs and need a context-aware assistant that respects your existing workflow — but be wary of recent plugin security incidents.
IDE-native coding assistant with multi-agent flexibility and AI-provider choice.
Visit WebsiteWho should pick which
- Engineering lead managing complex multi-file featuresPick: Cursor
Cursor's Agent mode and Composer 2.5 autonomously plan and execute long-horizon tasks, and Cloud agents allow parallel subagent work in sandboxed environments.
- Java developer using IntelliJ IDEA dailyPick: JetBrains AI
JetBrains AI integrates seamlessly into IntelliJ, providing context-aware completions and refactoring without leaving the IDE.
- Security-conscious teamPick: Cursor
JetBrains had recent plugin key-stealing incidents; Cursor's Auto-review and governance features offer controlled AI autonomy.
- Solo founder wanting end-to-end automationPick: Cursor
Cursor's agentic capabilities and Slack/GitHub integrations automate development workflows, reducing manual coding effort.
- Developer preferring local AI modelsPick: JetBrains AI
JetBrains open-sourced Mellum2 for local AI workflows, fitting privacy-conscious users who want offline assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cursor vs JetBrains AI: which should you choose?
Choose Cursor if you want an autonomous AI coding agent that plans, codes, tests, and demos features end-to-end, and you're okay leaving JetBrains behind. Stick with JetBrains AI if you're deeply invested in JetBrains IDEs and need a context-aware assistant that respects your existing workflow — but be wary of recent plugin security incidents.
Can I use Cursor with JetBrains IDEs?
No, Cursor is a standalone editor that replaces VS Code. It is not a plugin for JetBrains IDEs.
Does JetBrains AI support VS Code?
No, JetBrains AI only works within JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.).
Which tool is more secure?
Cursor has Auto-review to govern agent actions. JetBrains recently had plugins caught stealing AI keys, raising security concerns.
Can I run AI models locally with either tool?
JetBrains AI supports local models via open-source Mellum2. Cursor mainly uses cloud models but offers multiple third-party model options.
Which tool is better for teams?
Cursor offers Teams tier with admin controls, audit logs, and Slack/GitHub integrations. JetBrains AI is per-user via IDE subscriptions.
Is there a free version?
Cursor has a free tier with limited usage. JetBrains AI requires a paid JetBrains IDE subscription (no separate free AI tier).
What languages do they support?
Both support many languages. Cursor is model-agnostic and supports any language the model knows. JetBrains AI deeply supports Java, Python, JS, etc., via JetBrains IDEs.
Which tool has the latest AI models?
Cursor supports multiple models (GPT-5.5, Claude Opus, Gemini, xAI) and updates often. JetBrains AI's model is proprietary but now also offers Mellum2 locally.
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Last reviewed: May 12, 2026