Cursor vs Windsurf Editor
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Cursor | Windsurf Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Freemium (Pro $16/mo, Business $40/mo) | Freemium (Pro from $20/mo, Team from $40/mo per user) |
| Core Focus | Autonomous agent for end-to-end feature development | Multi-agent orchestration with local & cloud agents |
| Agent Execution | Cloud-only sandboxed agents (no local execution) | Local agents (Devin Local) + cloud agents (Devin Cloud) |
| Model Support | GPT-5.5, Claude Opus 4.8, Gemini 3.1 Pro, Grok 4.3 | SWE-1.6, Claude Opus 4.7, GPT-5.5, Kimi K2.7, GLM 5.2 |
| Unique Differentiator | Composer 2.5 for long-horizon tasks & Bugbot debugging | Fast Context millisecond codebase retrieval & Supercomplete |
| Latest News Impact | Launched iOS app; team marketplaces support MCPs & org groups | Rebranded from Windsurf to Devin Desktop; added security reviews in PRs |
If your team needs to coordinate multiple AI agents locally and in the cloud with diverse model support, Windsurf Editor (now Devin Desktop) is the right choice. If you want a single, powerful autonomous agent to handle entire features end-to-end from a familiar VS Code-like interface, Cursor is more streamlined. Cursor's lower starting price and iOS app give it an edge for mobile oversight, while Windsurf's local execution and Fast Context matter for large codebases.
Who should pick which
- Engineering team with large codebasePick: Windsurf Editor
Fast Context millisecond retrieval and local agents handle massive repos efficiently; multi-agent orchestration scales across team.
- Startup building features fastPick: Cursor
Composer 2.5 handles long-horizon tasks autonomously; lower Pro price ($16/mo) fits tight budgets.
- Developer needing local AI executionPick: Windsurf Editor
Devin Local runs agents on your machine without cloud dependency; essential for sensitive code.
- Remote manager overseeing agentsPick: Cursor
iOS app allows launching/approving agents from phone with push notifications.
- Team using multiple AI modelsPick: Windsurf Editor
ACP supports switching between SWE, Claude, GPT, Kimi, GLM; no other tool offers such diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cursor vs Windsurf Editor: which should you choose?
If your team needs to coordinate multiple AI agents locally and in the cloud with diverse model support, Windsurf Editor (now Devin Desktop) is the right choice. If you want a single, powerful autonomous agent to handle entire features end-to-end from a familiar VS Code-like interface, Cursor is more streamlined. Cursor's lower starting price and iOS app give it an edge for mobile oversight, while Windsurf's local execution and Fast Context matter for large codebases.
Which tool supports local agent execution?
Windsurf Editor (Devin Local) runs agents on your machine. Cursor agents are cloud-only.
Can I use Cursor on mobile?
Yes, Cursor launched an iOS app in June 2026 for remote oversight, voice input, and push notifications.
Which tool supports more AI models?
Windsurf Editor supports SWE-1.6, Claude Opus 4.7, GPT-5.5, Kimi K2.7, GLM 5.2. Cursor supports GPT-5.5, Claude Opus 4.8, Gemini 3.1 Pro, Grok 4.3.
Is there a free tier?
Both are freemium, but exact free limits vary. Cursor Pro starts at $16/mo; Windsurf Editor Pro at $20/mo.
Which tool is better for code review?
Windsurf Editor includes security review in PRs (Devin Review). Cursor offers auto-review and PR merging.
Can I run agents locally with Cursor?
No, Cursor agents only run in cloud sandboxes as of latest data.
What is Composer 2.5 in Cursor?
It's Cursor's task engine for long-horizon multi-file agentic tasks, replacing earlier versions.
What happened to Windsurf Editor?
It rebranded to Devin Desktop as of June 2026, now featuring Agent Command Center for managing agent fleets.
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Last reviewed: May 12, 2026