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Windsurf alternatives

Top AI Coding Assistants like Windsurf

The most popular alternative to Windsurf is Cursor, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Windsurf are GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cline, and Visual Studio Code.

Most alternatives to Windsurf are in the AI Coding Assistants category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Windsurf alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
12 apps

All Windsurf alternatives

  1. Cursor

    Cursor is a code editor from Anysphere, forked from VS Code, with AI integrated throughout the workflow. Its Tab model predicts multi-line edits, chat understands the whole codebase, and agent mode plans and applies changes across files while running terminal commands. Background agents can also work on tasks in the cloud. It stays compatible with VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings, and has a free Hobby plan.

    12 Cursor alternatives

    Pros

    • Tab completion predicts multi-line edits as you type
    • Agent mode applies changes across files and runs commands
    • Keeps VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings

    Cons

    • Request limits and usage-based billing can be confusing
    • As a VS Code fork, it can lag behind upstream updates
    • The free Hobby plan is quickly limiting for daily work
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding AssistantsCode Editors & IDEs
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionExtensions marketplaceTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about Cursor

  2. GitHub Copilot

    GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI coding assistant. It suggests code as you type and offers chat in editors such as VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, Xcode and Neovim, with a choice of models from several providers. Its coding agent can take a GitHub issue, work in the background and open a pull request, and Copilot also reviews pull requests and works in the terminal. A limited free plan is available.

    10 GitHub Copilot alternatives

    Pros

    • Works in many editors, from VS Code to Xcode and Neovim
    • Coding agent turns GitHub issues into pull requests
    • Choice of models from several providers

    Cons

    • The free plan has tight monthly limits
    • Premium requests can add extra costs on paid plans
    • Agent features assume your code is hosted on GitHub
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionIntegrationsTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about GitHub Copilot

  3. Claude Code

    Claude Code is an agentic coding tool from Anthropic. It runs in the terminal, in VS Code and JetBrains IDEs and on the web. It reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands and tests, and handles git workflows from natural-language requests. It can be extended with MCP servers, custom slash commands, subagents, hooks and plugins. Using it requires a paid Claude plan or API billing.

    10 Claude Code alternatives

    Pros

    • Works across the whole codebase from the terminal
    • Runs commands and tests, and handles git workflows
    • Extensible with MCP servers, hooks, subagents and plugins

    Cons

    • Requires a paid Claude plan or API billing, with no free tier
    • Heavy agentic sessions can hit usage limits or run up API costs
    • Autonomous edits still need careful review before merging
    Cost / License
    PaidProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseIntegrationsPlugins & extensionsTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about Claude Code

  4. Cline

    70.2Kstars

    Cline is an open source AI coding agent that runs inside VS Code and compatible editors. It plans tasks, creates and edits files, runs terminal commands and can drive a browser to test web apps, asking for approval at each step unless you grant more autonomy. You bring your own API key for providers like Anthropic, OpenAI and Google or use local models, and MCP servers extend what it can do.

    9 Cline alternatives

    Pros

    • Open source agent that runs inside VS Code
    • Bring your own API key or use local models
    • Asks for approval at each step, keeping you in control

    Cons

    • API costs can climb quickly on long agent tasks
    • Step-by-step approvals can slow down routine work
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseIntegrationsTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about Cline

  5. Visual Studio Code

    193.6Kstars

    Visual Studio Code is a free source code editor from Microsoft that runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and in the browser. It combines IntelliSense completion, a built-in debugger, Git tools and an integrated terminal with a large extensions marketplace. It is built on the MIT-licensed Code - OSS project and integrates GitHub Copilot for AI chat and agent workflows.

    12 Visual Studio Code alternatives

    Pros

    • Huge extensions marketplace for almost any language or tool
    • Integrated terminal, debugger and Git tools
    • Remote development over SSH, in containers and with WSL

    Cons

    • Official builds include Microsoft telemetry and proprietary components
    • As an Electron app it uses more memory than native editors
    • Large extension setups can slow it down
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Code Editors & IDEs
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinux
    Features
    AI assistantCode completionDebuggerExtensions marketplaceGit integrationRemote development
    Visit websiteMore about Visual Studio Code

  6. OpenAI Codex

    Codex is OpenAI's software engineering agent. Connected to a GitHub repository, it works on tasks in a cloud sandbox from ChatGPT and proposes pull requests. The open source Codex CLI runs locally in the terminal, and an IDE extension brings the same agent to VS Code-based editors. It can build features, fix bugs, answer questions about a codebase and review code. Access comes with paid ChatGPT plans or API billing.

    8 OpenAI Codex alternatives

    Pros

    • Cloud tasks run in a sandbox and come back as pull requests
    • Open source CLI for local work in the terminal
    • Same agent across the cloud, the terminal and the IDE

    Cons

    • Requires a paid ChatGPT plan or API billing
    • Cloud tasks depend on connecting your GitHub repository
    • Changes still need careful review before merging
    Cost / License
    PaidProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseGit integrationTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about OpenAI Codex

  7. Zed

    91.6Kstars

    Zed is a code editor written in Rust by the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, with a GPU-rendered interface that stays fast on large projects. It includes multiplayer editing, an agent panel that works with several AI models, edit predictions, Git tools, remote development over SSH and an extensions registry. Zed is open source under the GPL and runs on macOS, Linux and Windows; paid plans cover hosted AI usage.

    12 Zed alternatives

    Pros

    • GPU-rendered interface that stays fast on large projects
    • Built-in multiplayer editing and an agent panel for several AI models
    • Open source under the GPL

    Cons

    • Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
    • Some IDE features are less mature than in established editors
    • Hosted AI usage requires a paid plan
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Code Editors & IDEsAI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    AI assistantCode completionExtensions marketplaceGit integrationReal-time collaborationRemote development
    Visit websiteMore about Zed

  8. Gemini Code Assist

    Gemini Code Assist brings Google's Gemini models into VS Code and JetBrains IDEs for code completion, generation and chat that takes your local codebase into account. Agent mode can plan and carry out multi-step changes, and a GitHub app reviews pull requests. The individual edition is free, while Standard and Enterprise add Google Cloud integrations, private repository customization and admin controls.

    10 Gemini Code Assist alternatives

    Pros

    • Free edition for individual developers
    • GitHub app reviews pull requests automatically
    • Agent mode carries out multi-step changes

    Cons

    • Enterprise features are tied to Google Cloud
    • Supports fewer editors than some competing assistants
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionIntegrations
    Visit websiteMore about Gemini Code Assist

  9. Tabnine

    Tabnine is an AI coding assistant focused on privacy and control for companies. It provides code completion and a chat that helps generate tests, write documentation and review code in VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Visual Studio and Eclipse. Tabnine can be deployed as SaaS, in a private VPC, on-premises or fully air-gapped, does not retain customer code, and can use an organization's repositories as context.

    8 Tabnine alternatives

    Pros

    • Can be deployed on-premises or fully air-gapped
    • Does not retain customer code
    • Supports Eclipse and Visual Studio as well as VS Code and JetBrains

    Cons

    • Paid after the trial, with no free tier
    • Offer and pricing target companies more than individuals
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxSelf-hosted
    Features
    Chat with your codebaseCode completionIntegrationsSingle sign-on (SSO)
    Visit websiteMore about Tabnine

  10. Amazon Q Developer

    Amazon Q Developer is the generative AI assistant from AWS for software development. It offers inline code suggestions, chat and agents that implement features, write tests and documentation, review code and upgrade Java applications, in VS Code, JetBrains and Visual Studio and on the command line. It also answers questions about AWS resources in the console, with a free tier alongside the Pro plan.

    8 Amazon Q Developer alternatives

    Pros

    • In-depth knowledge of AWS services and console resources
    • Agents help upgrade Java applications
    • Free tier, with VS Code, JetBrains and command-line support

    Cons

    • Most useful for teams already invested in AWS
    • The free tier caps agent requests and code transformations
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionIntegrationsTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about Amazon Q Developer

  11. Continue

    36.2Kstars

    Continue is an open source extension for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs that adds AI chat, autocomplete, inline edits and an agent mode. Its main appeal is flexibility: you choose the models, from commercial APIs to local models through Ollama, and add rules, prompts and context providers that a team can share. With local models, code never has to leave your machine.

    9 Continue alternatives

    Pros

    • Open source, with a free choice of models
    • Works with local models, so code can stay on your machine
    • Shared rules and prompts help teams standardize usage

    Cons

    • Setup takes more effort than turnkey assistants
    • Quality depends on the models you configure
    • Local models need capable hardware to run smoothly
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionOffline mode
    Visit websiteMore about Continue

  12. PyCharm

    PyCharm is the JetBrains IDE for Python, with code completion, inspections, refactoring, a graphical debugger, test runners and virtual environment management. A single distribution provides a free core for everyday Python work, while a Pro subscription unlocks advanced features for web frameworks such as Django, databases and remote development. JetBrains AI features are available in the IDE.

    8 PyCharm alternatives

    Pros

    • Excellent Python completion, inspections and refactoring
    • Graphical debugger, test runners and virtual environment management
    • The free core covers everyday Python work

    Cons

    • Heavy on memory and slower to start than lighter editors
    • Django, database and remote development tools require Pro
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Code Editors & IDEs
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    AI assistantCode completionDebuggerExtensions marketplaceGit integrationRemote development
    Visit websiteMore about PyCharm

Windsurf vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Windsurf, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Windsurf vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAutonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionExtensions marketplaceTerminal integration
WindsurfFreemiumWindows, Mac, Linux
CursorFreemiumWindows, Mac, Linux
GitHub CopilotFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux
Claude CodePaidWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux
ClineFreemiumOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
Visual Studio CodeFreeOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux

Windsurf alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Windsurf?

The most popular alternative to Windsurf is Cursor: AI code editor built on VS Code, with agents and multi-line autocomplete. Other great alternatives are GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cline, and Visual Studio Code.

Is there a free alternative to Windsurf?

Yes, 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Cline, and Visual Studio Code.

Is there an open source alternative to Windsurf?

Yes, 4 open source alternatives are listed, including Cline, Visual Studio Code, Zed, and Continue.

Is Windsurf free?

Windsurf has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Windsurf with its alternatives

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