Windsurf vs Cursor

1. Shared AI Foundation, Divergent UX:

• • Both Windsurf and Cursor leverage the same core AI model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, for complex tasks. This means that, for the most part, they produce similar quality code and suggestions. They also both utilize smaller models for simpler tasks like auto-completions.
• • The primary difference between them lies in their user interfaces (UI) and the way they integrate and present AI functionality. Windsurf prioritizes simplicity and ease of use, while Cursor focuses on providing a more feature-rich, customizable environment. As one user put it, "Windsurf really seems to push to be a very simple, easy-to-use product... Cursor leans towards more manual control."

2. Windsurf: Simplicity, Speed, and Beginner-Friendliness:

• • Clean UI: Windsurf offers a cleaner, more intuitive UI that aims to minimize distractions and complexity. "It feels like comparing an Apple product to a Microsoft one — those little details really make Windsurf feel more refined."
• • Agentic Mode by Default: Windsurf operates in "Agentic Mode" by default, meaning it automatically infers and pulls in the necessary code context, streamlining the interaction. This "it-just-works" experience is designed to be user-friendly for beginners.
• • Faster Response Time: Windsurf is noted for its faster response times compared to Cursor. As one user stated, "Windsurf felt faster both in generating responses and getting things done."
• • Real-Time Updates: Changes generated by the AI in Windsurf are immediately written to disk, allowing developers to see results in real-time within the dev server before committing changes. This helps identify potential issues early. "One thing that Windsurf does by default that I really like is the AI generations are written to disk before you approve them...you'll see the results right inside your dev server in real time."
• • Affordable Entry Point: Windsurf is priced lower than Cursor, though its pricing model involves a unique "model flow action credit" system. One user noted: "Windsurf is cheaper. While it starts at $15/seat, compared to Cursor's $20/seat..."

3. Cursor: Power, Customization, and Advanced Features

• • Manual Control and Precision: Cursor emphasizes manual control, requiring users to explicitly specify files for context and carefully review AI-generated code changes. This is in contrast to Windsurf's more automated approach. "...Cursor feels like more of a power tool with more precise control and handling."
• • Inline Code Diffs: Cursor displays inline code diffs which forces the user to actively review all the changes made by the AI. "It always shows you inline code diffs."
• • Robust Context Management: Cursor offers advanced context management features, allowing users to include whole documentation sets, web pages, git branches, and commits for more nuanced AI interactions.
• • Feature-Rich ("Kitchen Sink" Approach): Cursor adopts a "kitchen sink" approach, integrating AI into almost every feature of the IDE, from error fixing to code completion to debugging. "Everything has an AI button."
• • Multi-tabbing and Advanced Features: Cursor supports multiple tabs and additional features like automatically generated commit messages, bug finders, and custom rule files. "Where Cursor really shines is in a lot of its power features. For instance, Cursor supports multi-tabbing."
• • AI Terminal: The terminal in Cursor also integrates with AI. One reviewer pointed out that "Having an AI in the terminal that's a keyboard shortcut away at any point is really helpful."

4. Limitations and Future Developments

• • While both Windsurf and Cursor offer "agentic workflows," they are not considered true agents in the sense that they can autonomously try, evaluate, and iterate on code until a verified result is achieved. "While both IDEs are AI-powered, they are not true 'agents' that can autonomously iterate on code or evaluate its logic."
• • Both primarily focus on code generation and suggestions, requiring human oversight for bug fixing, debugging, and validation. As one user states: "They only generate code, and if you've got bugs, it's your responsibility to go in and fix them."
• • There are external tools that can be used in conjunction with these IDEs, such as Cline, that offer more robust agent-like behavior and capabilities.

5. Specific Examples of Feature Differences

• • Code Modification Approach: Cursor offers code suggestions in a chat sidebar, requiring users to actively apply them. Windsurf, with its "write" mode, will directly modify the codebase which leads to a quicker workflow. "Cursor still only offers suggestions in its chat sidebar...Windsurf...will go ahead and take decisions for you, be it creating new files..."
• • Context Management: Cursor makes it relatively easy to add file contexts using @codebase or @files, while Windsurf may not have as direct an approach. "It is relatively easy to add file contexts in Cursor...This simple act is hard to perform in Windsurf..."
• • Code Suggestions: In one example, when asked to add a form with a date-time picker, Windsurf on the first try used the existing custom date-time picker used in the project, while Cursor initially used native components. "...Windsurf...used an existing, custom date-time picker component...Cursor...used a native component"

6. The Importance of UI/UX

• • The differences in approach to UI are not just cosmetic. They impact developer experience. Windsurf's streamlined approach promotes speed and ease of use, while Cursor's feature-rich UI provides power and customization.
• • Windsurf's "cleaner UI" and "it-just-works" approach is often contrasted with Cursor's more complex and cluttered interface.
• • Windsurf’s Cascade to thank (they did it first). This refers to the agent mode functionality.

7. Pricing and Value

• • Windsurf has a lower starting price. "Windsurf is cheaper...$15/seat, compared to Cursor's $20/seat."
• • Windsurf uses a credit-based model for "model flow action," making it less straightforward than Cursor's per-seat pricing. One user noted: "Things like 'model flow action credits' — whatever the heck that means — are part of the pricing model."
• • The sustainability of current pricing ($10-20 per month) is questioned by some, with the suggestion that prices may need to be adjusted.

8. Real World Workflow

• • Windsurf's real-time updates make it easier to see how these changes affect the application.

Conclusion

Both Windsurf and Cursor are powerful, AI-driven IDEs that offer significant advantages over traditional workflows. Your choice will depend on personal preferences:

• • Choose Windsurf: If you are a beginner, prefer simplicity, a cleaner UI, and want a more streamlined experience.
• • Choose Cursor: If you're an experienced user who desires customization, extensive features, and fine-grained control.

The core functionality and code generation capabilities of each is very similar because they both use the same LLM. The differences in user experience, UI, and specific functionality make one better suited to one type of user over the other.