Windsurf

Windsurf is a free AI-powered code editor built by Codeium, released in late 2024 as a direct competitor to Cursor. Built on VS Code's codebase, it introduces "Flows" — an agentic coding mode where the AI doesn't just suggest code but actively writes across multiple files, runs terminal commands, reads error output, and iterates until the task is complete, all with minimal manual direction.

The free tier is Windsurf's strongest selling point: unlimited AI-powered code completions, unlimited chat messages, and a generous monthly allowance of Flows credits — far more than Cursor's free tier offers. For developers frustrated by Cursor's paywall, Windsurf provides a compelling alternative with comparable quality at zero cost for most users.

Windsurf supports all languages and frameworks VS Code supports, which means existing VS Code users can switch with zero learning curve — all extensions, themes, and keybindings carry over. The Flow model is particularly effective for feature development, where you describe a feature at a high level and the agent handles the implementation across multiple files, automatically fixing the errors it introduces along the way. As a newer product, it has occasional stability issues in Flow mode and a smaller community than Cursor.