Cursor vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf): which should you use in 2026?
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Cursor and Windsurf were the two leading AI code editors built on VS Code foundations. In June 2026, Cognition rebranded Windsurf as Devin Desktop, keeping the IDE but making an agent command center its default view. This comparison covers Cursor against Devin Desktop as it exists today.
Cursor vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) at a glance
| Feature | Cursor | Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Anysphere (Cursor) | Cognition (formerly Windsurf / Codeium) |
| Foundation | VS Code-based editor | Windsurf IDE, compatible with Windsurf and VS Code extensions |
| Default experience | Editor with AI chat, tab completion and agents | Agent Command Center (Kanban board), with full editor mode |
| Local agent | Cursor Agent | Devin Local (successor to Cascade) |
| Cloud agents | Background / cloud agents | Devin Cloud integration |
| Third-party agents | Supports multiple models | Runs ACP-compatible agents (e.g. Codex, Claude Agent, OpenCode) |
| Pricing model | Freemium (Hobby plan + paid tiers) | Freemium (free plan + paid tiers; Windsurf pricing carried over) |
Cursor vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) pricing (as of Oct 2026)
| Plan | Cursor | Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: limited agent and chat requests | Yes: light agent quota, unlimited Tab completions |
| Paid plans from | Plus $8/month (Grok models only) | Pro $20/month |
| Higher tiers | Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200 per month; Teams from $30/user/month; third-party models billed at API list price | Max $200/month; Teams $80/month plus $40 per full seat |
| Source | Official pricing | Official pricing |
Prices in USD as listed on each official pricing page in Oct 2026. Plans and credit allowances change often.
Choose Cursor if…
- You want an editor-first experience where AI assists your own coding
- You value fast, high-quality tab completion
- You want AI code review (Bugbot) from the same vendor
Choose Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) if…
- You want to orchestrate many local and cloud agents from one board
- You already use Devin or were a Windsurf user
- You want to run third-party agents through ACP in one place
Verdict
If you write a lot of code yourself and want AI woven into editing, Cursor remains the default pick. If your workflow is shifting toward delegating whole tasks to multiple agents, Devin Desktop’s command center is built for that. Both offer free plans.
Cursor listing Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) listing
Cursor vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf): FAQ
- How much does Cursor cost?
- As of Oct 2026, Cursor's paid plans start at: Plus $8/month (Grok models only). Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200 per month; Teams from $30/user/month; third-party models billed at API list price. Free plan: Yes: limited agent and chat requests. Check the official pricing page for current prices.
- How much does Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) cost?
- As of Oct 2026, Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)'s paid plans start at: Pro $20/month. Max $200/month; Teams $80/month plus $40 per full seat. Free plan: Yes: light agent quota, unlimited Tab completions. Check the official pricing page for current prices.
Full listings
AI-first code editor with fast autocomplete and agents that edit across your codebase.
Cognition's AI IDE, renamed from Windsurf in June 2026, with an agent command center.
Comparisons are based on each vendor’s official site at the date above. Features and pricing change often; please verify before buying.