Cursor vs Windsurf: what's changed and which to pick
Updated · prices checked on vendor pages
Quick verdict: Windsurf isn't called Windsurf any more. It's Devin Desktop, run by Cognition. For most people Cursor is still the default editor. Pick Devin Desktop if you liked Windsurf, want unlimited tab completions on a free plan, or want the Devin cloud agent in the mix.
People still search "Cursor vs Windsurf" by the bucketload, so let's sort out the name first.
Wait, where's Windsurf?
Windsurf was rebranded under Cognition (the Devin lot). It's now Devin Desktop: still a capable editor underneath, now with the Devin Cloud agent bolted on. Windsurf in a new jacket, basically. If you're an ex-Windsurf user, that's your upgrade path.
At a glance
| Cursor | Devin Desktop (ex-Windsurf) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | AI-native editor with tab, agent, cloud agents | Editor plus Devin Cloud agent |
| Free tier | Limited agent and chat requests | Light agent quota, unlimited Tab completions and inline edits |
| Entry price | Plus $8/mo (Grok models only) | Pro $20/mo |
| Mid tier | Premium $30/mo | none |
| Top tier | Super $100/mo, Ultra $200/mo | Max $200/mo |
| Teams | $30+/user/mo | $80/mo + $40/mo per full seat |
| Third-party models | On Premium+, billed at API list price | Mixed-model agent workflows |
| Numptr score | 8.5/10 | 7/10 |
Where Cursor wins
Cheapest way in. Plus is $8/mo. Nothing else serious comes close at that price, as long as you're happy with Grok models.
Ecosystem. Cloud agents, automations, Bugbot code reviews and code hosting on Premium. It's the editor everyone's mate already uses, and there's a reason.
More tiers. $8, $30, $100, $200. You can size it to how much you actually use.
The catch: third-party models on Premium and up are billed separately at API list price. If you want Claude or GPT in Cursor, budget for it.
Where Devin Desktop wins
Free tier for typers. Unlimited Tab completions and inline edits on the free plan. If you mostly want smart autocomplete and the odd agent run, that's very decent for nowt.
Devin Cloud. Hand bigger jobs to a cloud agent and keep working.
Familiar if you came from Windsurf. Your muscle memory still works.
Watch-outs
- Devin Desktop's Teams pricing is $80/mo plus $40/mo per full seat. Do the maths for your team size.
- No mid tier. It jumps from $20 Pro to $200 Max. Cursor has $30 and $100 in between.
- Cursor Plus is Grok-only. Don't buy it expecting Claude.
Who should pick which
Pick Cursor if:
- You want the most popular AI editor with the most tiers
- You want to start at $8
- You want cloud agents and code review in one place
Pick Devin Desktop if:
- You used Windsurf and liked it
- You want unlimited free tab completions
- You want the Devin cloud agent for big jobs
Pick something else if:
- You want a heavy agent rather than an editor: Claude Code
- You want $0 with multi-agent features: Google Antigravity
- You like writing specs before code: Kiro
See all the options in Cursor alternatives and Cursor vs Claude Code.
FAQ
What happened to Windsurf?
Windsurf was rebranded under Cognition and is now called Devin Desktop. It's still an AI code editor, now paired with the Devin Cloud agent.
Is Windsurf better than Cursor?
For most people Cursor is the better default: cheaper entry ($8 vs $20) and more plan options. Devin Desktop has the better free tier for tab completions and inline edits.
Is Devin Desktop free?
There's a free plan with a light agent quota and unlimited Tab completions and inline edits. Pro is $20/mo.
How much does Cursor cost vs Windsurf?
Cursor: Plus $8, Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200 a month. Devin Desktop: Pro $20, Max $200 a month, Teams $80/mo plus $40 per full seat.
Tools in this guide
Sources
Checked checked 2026-10-14
- Cursor pricing: https://cursor.com/pricing
- Devin Desktop pricing: https://devin.ai/pricing
- Unconfirmed: exact date of the Windsurf to Devin Desktop rebrand (not verified on an official page for this draft).