Windsurf vs Cursor: Which Tool Is Best?

Which Should You Choose?

Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) is best for developers who want an AI-native IDE that doubles as a command center for coding agents. Rebranded by Cognition on June 2, 2026, it runs Devin Local agents (the replacement for Cascade, retired July 2026), shows local and cloud agents on one Kanban board, and keeps a JetBrains plugin for teams that are not all-in on the IDE. It also ships the SWE-2 model free with unlimited access.

Cursor excels for AI-first developers who want a code editor with deep AI integration — Composer multi-file editing, codebase-aware Tab completion, and the broadest model selection (GPT-5.x, Claude, Gemini, Grok, plus custom keys). It is the pick when raw editing power matters more than agent fleet management.

The right choice depends on your workflow: both cost $20/month for the individual pro tier, both cover autocomplete, chat, agent mode, and multi-file editing, so the decision is really fleet management and the Devin ecosystem (Windsurf/Devin Desktop) versus editing depth and model flexibility (Cursor). Many organizations use both in complementary workflows. One caveat: Windsurf is mid-transition — the name, the agent, and the roadmap all changed in mid-2026, so evaluate it on what Devin Desktop ships today, not on Windsurf reviews from last year.