# Cursor vs Windsurf

Cursor is freemium — a usable free tier with paid plans above it. Windsurf is freemium — a usable free tier with paid plans above it.

| | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free tier + paid plans | Free tier + paid plans |
| Free to start | Yes | Yes |
| Category | Code & Development | Code & Development |
| Type | AI IDEs & Editors | AI IDEs & Editors |
| Best for | AI-first VS Code fork with agent mode | Agentic IDE with the Cascade flow |

## FAQ

### Cursor vs Windsurf: what is the difference?

Cursor is freemium — a usable free tier with paid plans above it and is listed for AI-first VS Code fork with agent mode. Windsurf is freemium — a usable free tier with paid plans above it and is listed for agentic IDE with the Cascade flow. Both sit in AI IDEs & Editors.

### Is Cursor or Windsurf cheaper to start with?

Neither — Cursor and Windsurf are both freemium, so the choice comes down to capability rather than cost. Both entries list what they uniquely do above.

### Which should I choose, Cursor or Windsurf?

Choose Cursor if you need AI-first VS Code fork with agent mode; choose Windsurf if you need agentic IDE with the Cascade flow. Flocci AI Tools does not rank one above the other — it shows both feature sets side by side and lets the requirement decide.

## Related

- [Cursor](https://aitools.flocci.in/tool/cursor)
- [Windsurf](https://aitools.flocci.in/tool/windsurf)
- [Cursor alternatives](https://aitools.flocci.in/alternatives/cursor)
- [Windsurf alternatives](https://aitools.flocci.in/alternatives/windsurf)
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Source: Flocci AI Tools — https://aitools.flocci.in/compare/cursor-vs-windsurf

Facts last verified: October 2026