AI Coding Assistants · Pricing comparison
Cursor vs Windsurf: Pricing
Windsurf is the cheaper option ($5/mo less), both offer a free plan, Cursor rates slightly higher. Below we break down plans, free tiers, and value so you can decide which fits your budget and workflow.
Last checked January 15, 2026
Windsurf is the cheaper option ($5/mo less), both offer a free plan, Cursor rates slightly higher.
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Cursor vs Windsurf: side-by-side
| Feature | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Coding Assistants | AI Coding Assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan details | Free Hobby plan with limited fast requests per month. | Generous free tier with unlimited basic completions and some premium credits. |
| Starting price | $20/mo Pro | $15/mo Pro |
| Highest known plan | $40/mo Business (per user) | Teams and Enterprise plans (per user) |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Best for | Developers who want an AI-native editor, not just a plugin | Developers wanting a capable free AI editor |
| Team support | Yes | Yes |
| API access | No | No |
| Editor rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
Pricing and free plans
Cursor uses a freemium model, starting at $20/mo Pro. Paid tiers grant more fast requests and access to premium models; per-seat on Business. Its free plan: Free Hobby plan with limited fast requests per month.
Windsurf uses a freemium model, starting at $15/mo Pro. Paid tiers add premium model credits and higher limits; per-seat on team plans. Its free plan: Generous free tier with unlimited basic completions and some premium credits.
Which is cheaper?
If budget is the deciding factor, Windsurf wins on entry price. If output quality or specific features matter more, weigh the feature lists below before deciding.
Cursor: pros and cons
Pros
- Powerful AI-native workflow
- Codebase awareness
- Free tier to start
Cons
- Separate editor to adopt
- Heavy use hits request limits
Windsurf: pros and cons
Pros
- Very generous free tier
- Agentic coding flows
- Multi-editor support
Cons
- Premium credits deplete
- Rapidly changing product
Who each tool is best for
- Best for beginners: Windsurf — lower barrier to entry and easier to start for free or cheaply.
- Best for teams: Cursor.
- Cursor is best for: Developers who want an AI-native editor, not just a plugin.
- Windsurf is best for: Developers wanting a capable free AI editor.
Verdict
On price alone, Windsurf is the value pick at $15/mo Pro. Cursor edges ahead on our editor rating. For most people, choose Cursor if you want developers who want an ai-native editor, not just a plugin, and Windsurf if you want developers wanting a capable free ai editor.
Cursor vs Windsurf FAQ
Which is cheaper, Cursor or Windsurf?
Windsurf has the cheaper entry price — about $5/mo less. Cursor starts at $20/mo Pro, while Windsurf starts at $15/mo Pro.
Does Cursor or Windsurf have a free plan?
Both offer a free plan. Cursor: Free Hobby plan with limited fast requests per month. Windsurf: Generous free tier with unlimited basic completions and some premium credits.
Is Cursor or Windsurf better for beginners?
Windsurf tends to be the easier starting point thanks to its pricing and free access, though both cover the same core ai coding assistants needs.
Which is better for teams?
Cursor is the stronger team pick given its collaboration support and rating.