Is Cursor free vs Codeium (Windsurf)?

Cursor offers a free plan (2 weeks Pro trial, then limited Hobby). Codeium (Windsurf) offers a free plan (Unlimited completions forever).

Updated June 2025 · Tested In-House

Cursor vs Codeium (Windsurf)

Q: Is Cursor better than Codeium (Windsurf)?

Cursor scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 8.7/10) in AICompare's independent testing. However, the best choice depends on your specific use case. Cursor excels at full-stack developers, while Codeium (Windsurf) is stronger for budget-conscious developers.

Q: What is the main difference between Cursor and Codeium (Windsurf)?

Cursor is best for full-stack developers and complex multi-file refactoring. Codeium (Windsurf) excels at budget-conscious developers and students and learners. They serve different primary use cases.

Which AI tool is better in 2025? We tested both across real workflows — here's everything you need to know before choosing.

Our Winner

⚡

Cursor

Anysphere

9.2

Overall Score

Free + Paid

Full Review →

🌊

Codeium (Windsurf)

Codeium

8.7

Overall Score

Free + Paid

Full Review →

AICompare Verdict

Cursor wins overall with a 9.2/10 score vs Codeium (Windsurf)'s 8.7/10. Cursor leads on Output Quality and Reliability, while Codeium (Windsurf) holds an edge on Ease of Use. Choose Codeium (Windsurf) if you specifically need budget-conscious developers.

Cursor vs Codeium (Windsurf): Score Breakdown

Criteria	⚡ Cursor	🌊 Codeium (Windsurf)	Winner
Output Quality	9.3/10	8.5/10	Cursor
Ease of Use	8.9/10	9.2/10	Codeium (Windsurf)
Value for Money	8.8/10	9.8/10	Codeium (Windsurf)
Reliability	9/10	8.8/10	Cursor
Feature Depth	9.6/10	8.6/10	Cursor
Overall Score	9.2/10	8.7/10	Cursor

Feature Comparison

Feature	⚡ Cursor	🌊 Codeium (Windsurf)
Free Plan	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Free Tier Details	2 weeks Pro trial, then limited Hobby	Unlimited completions forever
Paid Plan (starting)	$20/mo (Pro)	$15/mo (Teams)
API Access	✗ No	✗ No
Mobile App	✗ No	✗ No
Browser Extension	✗ No	✗ No
Company Founded	2023	2022
Monthly Users	500K+	700K+

Detailed Pros and Cons

⚡ Cursor

Strengths

Understands entire codebase context
Agent mode for autonomous tasks
Inline editing with natural language
Multi-file edits in one command

Weaknesses

Pro plan required for serious use
Can be slow on large codebases
Learning curve for non-VS Code users

🌊 Codeium (Windsurf)

Strengths

Truly free with no usage limits
70+ programming languages
40+ IDE integrations
Cascade agent in Windsurf

Weaknesses

Quality below GitHub Copilot and Cursor
Smaller community
Enterprise features lag competitors

Cursor vs Codeium (Windsurf): Which Should You Choose?

Choose Cursor if you need:

→Full-stack developers
→Complex multi-file refactoring
→Building features from scratch
→Debugging across multiple files

Try Cursor ↗

Choose Codeium (Windsurf) if you need:

→Budget-conscious developers
→Students and learners
→Teams wanting free alternative
→Polyglot developers

Try Codeium (Windsurf) ↗

Cursor vs Codeium (Windsurf): FAQ

Is Cursor better than Codeium (Windsurf)?+

Cursor scores higher in our overall ranking (9.2/10 vs 8.7/10). Cursor outperforms on output quality and reliability. However, Codeium (Windsurf) offers better value for money that make it the right choice for certain use cases.

Can I use both Cursor and Codeium (Windsurf) for free?+

Both Cursor and Codeium (Windsurf) offer free plans. Cursor's free tier includes 2 weeks Pro trial, then limited Hobby. Codeium (Windsurf)'s free tier offers Unlimited completions forever.

Which is better for beginners — Cursor or Codeium (Windsurf)?+

Codeium (Windsurf) scores higher for ease of use (9.2/10 vs 8.9/10), making it the more beginner-friendly choice.

What's the main difference between Cursor and Codeium (Windsurf)?+

Cursor is optimized for full-stack developers and complex multi-file refactoring. Codeium (Windsurf) is better suited for budget-conscious developers and students and learners. The key differentiator is Cursor's understands entire codebase context.