While tools like Copilot add AI to existing editors, Cursor and Windsurf took a different approach: rebuild the editor itself around AI capabilities. Both are forks of VS Code, so the interface feels
While tools like Copilot add AI to existing editors, Cursor and Windsurf rebuilt the editor itself around AI. Both are forks of VS Code — familiar interface, fundamentally different architecture.
Plugin-based tools are constrained by the VS Code extension API. By forking VS Code directly, these editors can build proprietary repository indexing, control exactly what gets sent to the model, integrate AI at every UI layer, and implement custom diff views and approval flows.
Codebase Indexing: Cursor builds a local semantic index of your project, retrieving relevant files by meaning rather than just open tabs.
Composer / Agent Mode: Open Composer (Cmd+I), describe a multi-file task, and Cursor plans and executes changes across your entire project. You review each file diff before accepting.
Model Options: Claude 3.5/3.7 Sonnet, GPT-4o, o3, and others. Use your own API key or Cursor's hosted credits.
Pricing: Free (limited) | Pro $20/month | Business $40/user/month
Cascade Agent: Designed to be more autonomous than Cursor by default — chains actions without asking for confirmation at each step, useful for developers who want fewer interruptions.
Flows: Tracks the sequence of actions the AI takes during a session, making it easier to understand and undo what happened.
Pricing: Free (limited) | Pro $15/month | Teams $35/user/month
Choose Cursor or Windsurf when you spend most of your day in one primary project and want the most capable agent experience in an editor UI.
Stay with VS Code + Copilot when you switch between many projects, rely on specific extensions, or have compliance requirements favoring established enterprise agreements.
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