Tool Comparison
Cursor vs Windsurf
Last updated: April 15, 2026
Verdict
Cursor and Windsurf are both VS Code forks built around AI-first editing. Cursor at $20/mo Pro has a larger community, broader VS Code extension compatibility, and Notepads for persistent context across chats. Windsurf at $15/mo Pro is $5 cheaper and ships Cascade flows plus a Memories system that persist agent state across sessions. Cursor is the safer default for most developers given its maturity; try Windsurf if you specifically need Cascade's session memory.
Pick Cursor if...
- +You want the larger ecosystem and community — Cursor has wider adoption as of 2026
- +You need full VS Code extension compatibility, including niche extensions
- +You use Notepads to save reusable context snippets across chats
- +You want Composer, a proven multi-file editor used in production for 18+ months
- +You value community plugins, tutorials, and third-party integrations
Pick Windsurf if...
- +You want Cascade flows with agent memory that persists across sessions
- +You want to save $5/month — Windsurf Pro is $15 vs Cursor Pro at $20
- +You want the SWE-1 proprietary model trained specifically for software engineering tasks
- +You prefer an AI-first IDE where the Cascade panel is central to the workflow
- +You need the Memories system to carry context between unrelated coding sessions
Feature comparison
| Feature | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Inline tab completions | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-file editing | Yes | Yes |
| Cascade flows (multi-step agent with memory) | No | Yes |
| Memories system (persistent session memory) | No | Yes |
| Notepads (reusable context snippets) | Yes | No |
| VS Code extension compatibility | Full | Partial |
| Background agents | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server support | Yes | Yes |
| Model picker (Claude, GPT, Gemini) | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Codebase indexing | Yes | Yes |
| SWE-1 proprietary model | No | Yes |
| Rules config file | .cursorrules | .windsurfrules |
| Composer / Cascade chat pane | Composer | Cascade |
Pricing
| Tier | Cursor | Windsurf | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free | Cursor Hobby: 2000 completions + 50 slow premium requests/month. Windsurf free: 25 prompts + 5 Cascade flows/month. |
| Individual Pro | $20/mo | $15/mo | Windsurf Pro is $5/mo cheaper with unlimited Cascade flows. Cursor Pro includes 500 fast premium requests/month. |
| Team / Business | $40/mo | $35/mo | Cursor Business $40/seat with admin controls. Windsurf Teams $35/seat with shared credits. |
| Enterprise | - | - | Both offer custom enterprise tiers with SSO, audit logs, and zero-retention options. |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cursor or Windsurf cheaper?
Windsurf Pro is cheaper at $15/month versus Cursor Pro at $20/month — a $5 difference, or $60/year saved. Both free tiers exist but differ: Cursor free gives 2000 completions plus 50 slow premium requests per month, while Windsurf free gives 25 prompts plus 5 Cascade flows per month. For heavy use, Windsurf's paid tier has the better price-to-capability ratio.
What is the difference between Cursor Composer and Windsurf Cascade?
Composer is Cursor's multi-file editing pane — you describe a change, it edits across files, and you review diffs. Cascade is Windsurf's agent pane — it does the same but adds session memory (Memories) that persists across chats and can execute multi-step flows autonomously. Cascade feels more agentic; Composer feels more assistant-like.
Does Windsurf support VS Code extensions?
Windsurf supports most VS Code extensions but not all — extensions that hook deeply into VS Code internals or proprietary APIs sometimes break. Cursor has stronger compatibility because it stays closer to the upstream VS Code fork. If a specific extension is critical, test it in Windsurf before committing.
Which models do Cursor and Windsurf support?
Both support Claude Sonnet 4, Claude Opus 4, GPT-4o, GPT-5, and Gemini 2.0 Pro as of 2026. Windsurf additionally offers SWE-1, its own model trained specifically for software engineering benchmarks. Cursor lets you bring your own API key for most models; Windsurf includes model usage in its subscription.
Can I switch from Cursor to Windsurf easily?
Yes — both are VS Code forks, so your settings.json, keybindings, and most extensions transfer directly. Your Cursor rules (.cursorrules) need to be renamed to .windsurfrules with minor syntax tweaks. Total migration takes under 30 minutes for most projects.
Which tool is newer?
Windsurf (from Codeium) launched publicly in November 2024, making it about 18 months newer than Cursor, which launched in early 2023. Cursor has had more time to mature its feature set and build a community; Windsurf iterates faster and ships agentic features earlier. Both are under active development as of April 2026.