Cursor is a VS Code-based AI code editor focused on precision editing with Claude integration, while Windsurf is a standalone IDE built on similar architecture but emphasizing agentic workflows and real-time collaboration. Cursor leads in AI model flexibility with GPT-4o support, whereas Windsurf focuses on autonomous coding agents.
Cursor vs Windsurf — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Cursor if you need flexible AI model selection, VS Code familiarity, and precise code generation for individual development work. Choose Windsurf if you prioritize autonomous agentic capabilities, native real-time team collaboration, and prefer a lower entry price point with deeper project-wide understanding.
VS Code-based AI code editor with multi-model support and precision editing features
Standalone IDE by Codeium emphasizing autonomous agents and native team collaboration
Structured comparison data for Cursor vs Windsurf with 173 attributes.
Primary AI Model Quality (MMBENCH score)
Cursor vs Windsurf — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Cursor vs Windsurf.
Which is better for teams: Cursor or Windsurf?
Windsurf is significantly better for teams due to native multi-user real-time collaboration built directly into the IDE, allowing 2+ developers to edit simultaneously with live presence awareness. Cursor relies on VS Code's Live Share extension, which adds complexity. However, Cursor's ecosystem of 40,000+ extensions provides more flexibility for team tooling.
Yes, Cursor supports offline mode with local LLM models (like Ollama or LM Studio), though with reduced performance. Windsurf's offline capabilities are more limited and require cloud connection for most features including their proprietary Codeium model.
What's the difference in code understanding between Cursor and Windsurf?
Cursor can maintain up to 200K token context (suitable for entire projects), while Windsurf uses a 128K token limit. Windsurf's advantage is automatic project-wide indexing that doesn't consume tokens, making it more efficient for large codebases despite the lower token limit.
Which editor is faster for code generation?
Cursor typically generates code 15-25% faster due to VS Code's optimized architecture and Cursor's lean AI layer. Windsurf's standalone architecture adds ~2-3 second overhead per generation, though this difference diminishes with larger completions.
Can I switch between Cursor and Windsurf without losing settings?
Yes, both tools are built on similar foundations. Cursor settings export to JSON, and Windsurf can import many VS Code extensions/configs. However, AI model configurations and API keys must be reconfigured in each editor separately.