Windsurf

⏱️ 8 sec read 💻 AI Coding

What it is: Codeium's AI-first editor. Agentic AI that understands and modifies entire codebases. Free Cursor alternative.

What It Does Best

Flow state coding. AI anticipates needs. Cascade mode lets AI make multi-file changes autonomously. You review, not micromanage.

Codebase intelligence. Understands project structure, dependencies, patterns. Suggests changes that fit your architecture.

Free tier that's actually good. Not crippled free plan. Real AI features. Codeium wants adoption over revenue.

Cascade mode: AI makes multi-file changes autonomously

Codebase awareness: Understands entire project structure

Inline editing: AI edits directly in your files

Chat interface: Ask questions about code

Model choice: GPT-4, Claude, or custom models

Free: Full features, unlimited use

Pro: $10/month (faster, priority support)

Enterprise: Custom pricing

✅ Want Cursor experience without $20/month

✅ Trust AI to make autonomous changes

✅ Large refactoring across multiple files

✅ Starting new project with AI-first workflow

❌ Prefer VS Code extensions over new editor

❌ Need proven stability (newer than competitors)

❌ Want to control every AI suggestion

Greenfield projects: Build new features rapidly with AI

Refactoring: AI handles multi-file changes safely

Learning codebases: Ask AI to explain architecture

Prototyping: Go from idea to working code faster

Bug fixing: AI suggests fixes across multiple files

vs Cursor: Windsurf free, Cursor $20/month for full features

vs GitHub Copilot: Windsurf agentic, Copilot completion-focused

vs VS Code + Codeium: Windsurf integrated experience, VS Code more flexible

Cascade mode: Most autonomous AI editor available

Generous free tier: Full features at no cost

Codeium backing: Strong company, long-term support

Agentic AI: AI that takes initiative, not just responds

Bottom line: Most ambitious AI editor. More autonomous than Cursor. Free tier is generous. Worth trying if Cursor's price bothers you.