AI Coding Assistants · Pricing comparison
Cursor vs Windsurf: Pricing
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 July 24, 2026
At a glance
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 | Limited free tier — enough to evaluate, not for daily work. | Generous free tier with unlimited tab completions. |
| Starting price | $20/mo (Pro) | $20/mo (Pro) |
| Highest known plan | $200/mo (Ultra) | $200/mo (Max) |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Professional developers who want the strongest agentic coding | Developers wanting Cursor-level capability with a real free tier |
| Team support | Yes | Yes |
| API access | No | No |
| Editor rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
Pricing and free plans
Cursor uses a freemium model, starting at $20/mo (Pro). Pro+ at $60/mo. Credit-based billing; heavy agent use consumes credits fast. Business $40/seat. Its free plan: Limited free tier — enough to evaluate, not for daily work.
Windsurf uses a freemium model, starting at $20/mo (Pro). Price rose from $15 in May 2026. Quota system (daily/weekly) replaced credits in March 2026. Its free plan: Generous free tier with unlimited tab completions.
Which is cheaper?
Neither tool clearly undercuts the other on entry price, so let features and fit for your use case decide.
Cursor: pros and cons
Pros
- Best-in-class agent capability
- Fast, context-aware completions
- Model choice per task
Cons
- Credits opaque for heavy users
- $60-200 tiers for power use
- Free tier too small for real work
Windsurf: pros and cons
Pros
- Strongest free tier of AI IDEs
- Enterprise/EU compliance
- Agent quality near Cursor
Cons
- Price rose in 2026
- Post-acquisition direction uncertain
- Quotas can pinch sprints
Who each tool is best for
- Best for beginners: Cursor — lower barrier to entry and easier to start for free or cheaply.
- Best for teams: Cursor.
- Cursor is best for: Professional developers who want the strongest agentic coding.
- Windsurf is best for: Developers wanting Cursor-level capability with a real free tier.
Our call
Verdict
On price, the two are close. Cursor edges ahead on our editor rating. For most people, choose Cursor if you want professional developers who want the strongest agentic coding, and Windsurf if you want developers wanting cursor-level capability with a real free tier.
Cursor vs Windsurf FAQ
Which is cheaper, Cursor or Windsurf?
Cursor and Windsurf have similar entry pricing ($20/mo (Pro) vs $20/mo (Pro)), so features should decide it.
Does Cursor or Windsurf have a free plan?
Both offer a free plan. Cursor: Limited free tier — enough to evaluate, not for daily work. Windsurf: Generous free tier with unlimited tab completions.
Is Cursor or Windsurf better for beginners?
Cursor 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.