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Cursor alternatives: 10 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Cursor: heavy AI use requires paid plans, and usage limits can change. We ranked 10 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Cursor, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Windsurf currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Windsurf logoWindsurfFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux2 of 380.3
2Visual Studio Code logoVisual Studio CodeFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +13 of 374.3
3Zed logoZedOpen sourceYesmacOS, Linux, Windows2 of 373.3
4Google Antigravity logoGoogle AntigravityFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 455.0
5Kiro logoKiroFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 555.0
6VSCodium logoVSCodiumOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 455.0
7GitHub Copilot logoGitHub CopilotFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +14 of 453.6
8Cline logoClineOpen sourceYesmacOS, Windows, Linux4 of 453.6
9TRAE logoTRAEFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 449.5
  1. Windsurf logo

    1. WindsurfTop pickAcquired

    Best for: Developers who want an agent-centric AI editor

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    80.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    Another agentic AI editor built on the VS Code foundation.

    Pros

    • Capable Cascade agent
    • Familiar VS Code-style interface
    • Free plan available

    Cons

    • Product direction changing after acquisition
    • Credit-based limits
    Visit Windsurf Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Windsurf a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026windsurf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Current name
    Devin Desktop
    Checked Oct 24, 2026windsurf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Not checked yetwindsurf.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Visual Studio Code logo

    2. Visual Studio Code

    Best for: Developers who want a free, extensible editor for any language

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Web

    74.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    Free editor with GitHub Copilot if you want AI without switching editors.

    Pros

    • Free with a huge extension marketplace
    • Excellent remote development
    • Fast and lightweight for an IDE

    Cons

    • Microsoft builds include telemetry
    • Heavy extension use can slow it down
    Visit Visual Studio Code Compare with CursorDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1563
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Visual Studio Code a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 24, 2026code.visualstudio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source core
    Yes (Code - OSS, MIT)
    Checked Oct 24, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, web
    Checked Oct 24, 2026code.visualstudio.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Zed logo

    3. Zed

    Best for: Developers who want a very fast native editor

    Open sourcemacOS, Linux, Windows

    73.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    Fast native editor with AI features and open-source code.

    Pros

    • Extremely fast and responsive
    • Open source
    • Built-in multiplayer editing

    Cons

    • Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
    • Some language tooling still maturing
    Visit Zed Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zed a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Not checked yetgithub.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Written in
    Rust
    Checked Oct 24, 2026zed.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Collaboration
    Built in, with humans and AI
    Checked Oct 24, 2026zed.dev(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Google Antigravity logo

    4. Google Antigravity

    Best for: Developers who want to delegate whole tasks to Gemini-powered agents for free

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    Google's agent-first IDE with a free individual plan.

    Pros

    • Free individual plan with unlimited tab completions
    • Agents verify work in a browser and show reviewable artifacts
    • IDE, CLI, app and SDK share one agent setup

    Cons

    • Centred on Google's models and accounts
    • Free plan agent use is rate-limited
    • Fast-changing product with frequent reshuffles
    Visit Google Antigravity Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Antigravity a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Individual plan
    $0/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026antigravity.google(opens source in a new tab)
    Tab completions
    Unlimited on free plan
    Checked Oct 25, 2026antigravity.google(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026antigravity.google(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise
    Via Gemini Enterprise, from $30/seat/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026antigravity.google(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Kiro logo

    5. Kiro

    Best for: Teams who want AI agents to plan from written specs before changing code

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    Plans work as reviewable specs before agents change code.

    Pros

    • Specs give a reviewable plan before code changes
    • Hooks and steering files for repeatable team rules
    • Accepts VS Code settings and Open VSX extensions

    Cons

    • Free plan has only a small credit allowance
    • Spec workflow is overkill for quick edits
    • Requires signing in to AWS-run services
    Visit Kiro Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Kiro a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    $0/month, 50 credits
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    $20 per user/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Spec-driven development
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    VS Code compatibility
    Open VSX extensions and VS Code settings
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kiro.dev(opens source in a new tab)
  6. VSCodium logo

    6. VSCodium

    Best for: VS Code users who want the same editor without Microsoft telemetry or licence terms

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    Telemetry-free VS Code where you pick your own AI extensions.

    Pros

    • Same editor experience as VS Code
    • Telemetry disabled and MIT-licensed binaries
    • Widely packaged on all major platforms

    Cons

    • Uses Open VSX, so some extensions are missing
    • Microsoft-only extensions like Remote SSH and Live Share don't work
    • Updates arrive slightly after VS Code releases
    Visit VSCodium Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is VSCodium a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Telemetry
    Disabled
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vscodium.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vscodium.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    Microsoft's vscode source
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vscodium.com(opens source in a new tab)
  7. GitHub Copilot logo

    7. GitHub Copilot

    Best for: Developers and companies already on GitHub who want one assistant across IDE, terminal and pull requests

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    Keep VS Code or JetBrains and get completions, chat and agents with a free plan.

    Pros

    • Works in almost every major IDE plus a CLI and desktop app
    • Assign issues to a cloud agent that opens pull requests
    • Choice of models from several AI labs
    • Enterprise policy, audit and indemnity controls

    Cons

    • Usage-based AI credits make heavy agent use hard to predict
    • Best features assume your code is hosted on GitHub
    • Free plan limits run out quickly with agent mode
    Visit GitHub Copilot Compare with CursorDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is GitHub Copilot a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, limited chat and agent usage
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    $10 per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro+ plan
    $39 per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Cloud agent
    Assign issues from GitHub, Jira or Linear
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  8. Cline logo

    8. Cline

    Best for: Developers who want a transparent, open-source agent and to pick and pay for their own models

    Open sourcemacOS, Windows, Linux

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    Open-source agent for plain VS Code where you choose and pay for your own models.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no seat fees
    • Works with nearly any model provider, including local ones
    • Approval step before every file change or command

    Cons

    • Token costs can climb fast with expensive models
    • Approving every step slows down long tasks
    • Team features need the paid Enterprise tier
    Visit Cline Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Cline a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price for individuals
    Free, pay only for inference
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cline.bot(opens source in a new tab)
    Seat fees
    None for the open-source version
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cline.bot(opens source in a new tab)
    Model providers
    Anthropic, Gemini, OpenAI, OpenRouter, Bedrock and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cline.bot(opens source in a new tab)
    CLI
    npm i -g cline
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.cline.bot(opens source in a new tab)
  9. TRAE logo

    9. TRAE

    Best for: Developers who want a Cursor-style AI editor with a free tier

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    49.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cursor

    A similar AI-first VS Code-based editor with a free tier.

    Pros

    • Free plan to try agents and autocomplete
    • Familiar VS Code-style interface
    • Background cloud tasks on paid plans

    Cons

    • Free plan limits usage and autocomplete
    • Requests run through the vendor's own services
    • Fast-changing plans and features
    Visit TRAE Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1563
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is TRAE a good Cursor alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    $0, limited usage
    Checked Oct 25, 2026trae.ai(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    $20/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026trae.ai(opens source in a new tab)
    Free autocomplete
    5,000 per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026trae.ai(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux (.deb/.rpm)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026trae.ai(opens source in a new tab)

The best Cursor alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Windsurf logo

Best Cursor alternative for most people

Windsurf

Another agentic AI editor built on the VS Code foundation.

Visual Studio Code logo

Best Cursor alternative for a free option

Visual Studio Code

Free editor with GitHub Copilot if you want AI without switching editors.

Google Antigravity logo

Best Cursor alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Google Antigravity

Google's agent-first IDE with a free individual plan.

Zed logo

Best Cursor alternative for open source

Zed

Fast native editor with AI features and open-source code.

Kiro logo

Best Cursor alternative for Mac

Kiro

Plans work as reviewable specs before agents change code.

VSCodium logo

Best Cursor alternative for Windows

VSCodium

Telemetry-free VS Code where you pick your own AI extensions.

GitHub Copilot logo

Best Cursor alternative for Linux

GitHub Copilot

Keep VS Code or JetBrains and get completions, chat and agents with a free plan.

Claude Code logo

Best Cursor alternative for working in the browser

Claude Code

A terminal-first agent that works alongside any editor, including Cursor itself.

Cursor alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Cursor?

Windsurf ranks first right now. Another agentic AI editor built on the VS Code foundation. Visual Studio Code and Zed follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Cursor?

Yes. Windsurf (free plan + paid), Visual Studio Code (free), Zed (open source) and Google Antigravity (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Cursor?

Yes: Visual Studio Code, Zed, VSCodium and Cline.

Which Cursor alternatives work on Linux?

Windsurf, Visual Studio Code, Zed, Google Antigravity and Kiro run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Cursor?

The complaints we hear most: heavy AI use requires paid plans; usage limits can change.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Cursor, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.