On a sunny afternoon, I sat in front of my computer, with a gentle breeze whispering in my ear: “WindSurf or Cursor AI, that is the question.” Recently, discussions about these two AI code editors have surged online like a tsunami, leaving me confused about my choice. Since that’s the case, why not explore and see which one is truly my programming soulmate?
The Exciting Performance of Free Market Competition
First, let’s talk about pricing. WindSurf is priced at 70% of Cursor AI’s cost; isn’t this a perfect reflection of free market competition? Of course, this statement might sound a bit exaggerated, but the price war has indeed benefited us consumers.
Battle of Free Versions
Cursor AI’s Free Version: A Frustrating Experience
Using the free version of Cursor AI, you will find that credit points are consumed rapidly, likely due to the influx of new users, forcing the official to cut back on the free version’s features. Moreover, their low-end model “Cursor Small” really underperforms; I’ve used it a few times, and the quality of the code output is frankly disappointing.
WindSurf’s Free Version: A Worthwhile Choice
In contrast, WindSurf’s free version offers higher output quality and a better user experience. Of course, I must remind everyone to check the publication date of this article, as future policies may change, but for now, WindSurf’s free version undoubtedly outshines the competition.
User Interface and Feature Comparison
Model Access
Both editors support advanced models such as GPT-4 and Claude 3.5. However, Cursor AI additionally offers models like “01 Mini” and “01 Preview,” which may be useful when advanced coding models are needed. However, this is of little significance to free users, as you may quickly run out of credit points.
Chat Interface
In the chat interface, both are quite similar, allowing for image additions and model selections. However, WindSurf performs better in handling terminal commands, especially when creating React applications or executing general terminal commands. In contrast, Cursor AI sometimes leads you into a “dead end.”
File Handling Capabilities
A highlight of WindSurf is its ability to distinguish whether you want to modify files in the codebase or simply chat with the AI. For example, you can choose “Write” and specify the file you want to modify, and the AI will generate code tailored to that file. In contrast, Cursor AI tends to directly engage in conversation without such differentiation.
Thoughts on Future Development
It is worth noting that WindSurf’s current strategy seems to be capturing market share through more attractive pricing and free version features. Whether this is sustainable remains to be seen. Perhaps in the future, they will raise prices or reduce the features of the free version. Cursor AI may also respond by lowering prices, improving AI output quality, or providing free users with more credit points.
My Choice and Suggestions
Separating AI and IDE Workflows
When developing software, I prefer to keep my AI assistant separate from my IDE. I usually use VS Code and leverage ChatGPT as a supplementary tool. The benefit of this approach is cost control: either free (using ChatGPT’s free version) or $20 per month (using ChatGPT’s subscription version).
Why Separation is Better?
I find that separating AI and IDE allows me to better control my code. When I use ChatGPT, I tend to treat it as a “little assistant” rather than having it generate an entire file. I might ask it to optimize a piece of code or provide suggestions. However, when using integrated tools like WindSurf or Cursor AI, sometimes the AI modifies files I don’t want to change or adds unnecessary code.
Conclusion: Choosing Amidst the Winds and Clouds
Ultimately, the choice of which AI code editor to use depends on your personal needs and preferences. If you value high-quality free output, WindSurf is currently a good choice. If you seek stability and a richer array of model options, Cursor AI might suit you better.
But for me, I still prefer to keep my AI assistant and IDE separate, allowing for more flexible control over the development process. If you’re still hesitating, why not try both and find the workflow that suits you best?
Final Thoughts: Which One Will You Choose?
That’s all my opinions.If you found this article helpful, please give it a thumbs up!If you want to learn more about using WindSurf or how to create frontend and backend projects, check out my other articles and videos.
Thank you for reading!So, will you continue using Cursor AI or switch to WindSurf?Or will you choose another way like I did?Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
