Best Windsurf Alternatives

Windsurf is now Devin Desktop by Cognition — the AI-native editor you knew as Windsurf, with the Cascade agent and a fleet command center. If it doesn't fit your pricing, workflow, or feature needs, here are 2 alternatives worth comparing — including options with a free plan.

Looking for the original? See the full Windsurf listing.

At a Glance

ToolBest forPricingFree planOpen sourcevs Windsurf
Cursor logoCursorDevelopers who want AI central to how they codeFreemium · from $20/moMore widely adopted with finer manual control over context, at the same $20 Pro price.
GitHub Copilot logoGitHub CopilotDevelopers already working in the GitHub ecosystemFreemium · from $10/mo (Pro)Plugin-based assistant for your current IDE with GitHub-native PR features and a $10/month plan.

Quick Picks

Best free alternative
Cursor

More widely adopted with finer manual control over context, at the same $20 Pro price.

All Windsurf Alternatives

Cursor

Cursor

Your coding agent for building ambitious software — an AI-native editor with agents, Tab completion, and codebase understanding.

FreemiumAICode Editor
Compare Windsurf vs Cursor →
GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot

The AI pair programmer built into GitHub, VS Code, and JetBrains.

FreemiumAICode Editor+1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Windsurf alternative?

Cursor is the top-listed Windsurf alternative on this page — more widely adopted with finer manual control over context, at the same $20 Pro price. The right choice depends on your budget, workflow, and required integrations, so compare the table above before deciding.

Is there a free alternative to Windsurf?

Yes. Cursor offers a free plan, with paid plans from $20/mo. Other listings may also include free tiers — check the Free plan column in the comparison table.

Is there an open-source alternative to Windsurf?

None of the alternatives listed here are open source at the moment. If self-hosting matters to you, check each tool's documentation for deployment options.

How were these Windsurf alternatives selected?

Each alternative solves a similar core task and is an active listing in the directory. The one-line difference next to each tool summarizes how it diverges from Windsurf in pricing, focus, or capability.