Cursor vs Windsurf: The Definitive 2026 Comparison
Two AI-first code editors, one choice. We compare Cursor and Windsurf across speed, accuracy, pricing, and real-world developer experience.
The AI code editor wars are heating up. Both Cursor and Windsurf offer compelling features, but which one is right for your workflow?
Interface & UX
Cursor builds on VS Code's familiar interface, making the transition seamless. Windsurf takes a more opinionated approach with a custom editor that feels more integrated.
Code Generation Quality
In our testing across 50 real-world tasks, Cursor had a slight edge in multi-file refactoring accuracy (87% vs 82%), while Windsurf excelled at single-file completions (91% vs 88%).
Pricing
Cursor Pro is $20/month with unlimited completions. Windsurf Pro is $15/month but includes fewer premium model requests. Both offer free tiers.
Our Verdict
For VS Code users who want a smooth transition: Cursor. For developers who want a fresh, purpose-built experience: Windsurf. Both are excellent choices.