Windsurf
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An AI coding editor whose agent works alongside you, tracking context as you move through a task.
Free · Pro $15/mo
Our verdict
In our side-by-side, Cursor edges it — it comes out on top in 2 of the 7 things we checked.
Money-wise, GitHub Copilot is the friendlier option ($10 vs $20).
- Go with Cursor if you hop between devices and you prefer the crowd favourite.
- Go with GitHub Copilot if you’re watching the budget.
Cursor vs GitHub Copilot: side by side
| Criteria | Cursor | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $20 | $10 ✓ |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| User rating | — | — |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| API | No | No |
| Platforms | web, ios, android, browser-extension ✓ | web, desktop |
| Popularity | 94k pts ✓ | 93k pts |
Cursor features
- ✓ Predictive multi-line Tab completions
- ✓ Inline edits from natural language
- ✓ Agent mode for multi-file changes
- ✓ Codebase-aware chat and context
Best for
- • Adding a feature across several files at once
- • Refactoring a module with plain-English instructions
- • Asking questions about a large codebase
GitHub Copilot features
- ✓ Inline code completions as you type
- ✓ Copilot Chat for questions and explanations
- ✓ Works in VS Code, JetBrains and GitHub
- ✓ Agent features for multi-file changes
Best for
- • Writing boilerplate and repetitive code faster
- • Generating unit tests for existing functions
- • Understanding an unfamiliar codebase
FAQ
Should I use Cursor or GitHub Copilot?+
We lean towards Cursor — it wins more of our checks. That said, GitHub Copilot is the better fit for developers who want AI help inside the editor they already use.
Is Cursor cheaper than GitHub Copilot?+
No — GitHub Copilot starts at $10, Cursor at $20.
Do Cursor and GitHub Copilot have free plans?+
Cursor: Free · Pro $20/mo. GitHub Copilot: Free tier · Pro $10/mo.
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