Cursor Vs Windsurf: Choosing My new code editor!

A hands-on comparison of two cutting-edge tools. Which is AI IDE is better for development?

I’ve been using both Cursor and Windsurf since their launch, and they’ve completely replaced my old VS Code setup. Both are excellent tools in their own right, but if I had to choose one, which would it be?

I’m focusing on the “pro” versions—Cursor costs $20 per month, while Windsurf comes in at $10. On the surface, both offer similar features, but they deliver them in very different ways. Here’s how I see it:

Cursor: Potential with Pitfalls

Cursor is a bit of a wildcard. Sometimes, it amazes me with how well it handles tasks—those moments where you think, “This is why I switched to AI-enhanced tools!” But then, it’ll turn around and break my app entirely, leaving me scratching my head (or laughing, depending on my mood). 😂

One of Cursor’s biggest weaknesses is its tendency to “hallucinate.” After a few continuous prompts, it can lose track of context or get confused, which can be frustrating.

It also feels quite rigid in its approach. While this strictness might work for some workflows, it often stifles my ability to explore creative or unconventional solutions.

Windsurf: The Thoughtful Partner

Windsurf, on the other hand, feels like a more reliable partner. It’s powered by Codium, and its agentic model ( Cascade ) excels at understanding your codebase and expanding it intelligently. Whether I’m debugging or working on a complex feature, Cascade’s generations feel intuitive and well-integrated.

The IDE itself is a joy to use—clean, responsive, and far superior to Cursor’s interface. There have been times when Cursor’s interface either crashed or made my development process unnecessarily challenging. Windsurf’s stability is a breath of fresh air.

One thing I love about Windsurf is its flexibility. Codium offers an extension that pairs beautifully with other IDEs. For example, I often use it with WebStorm for all the benefits of a JetBrains IDE while leveraging Codium’s chat functionality.

This combination lets me map out data flows, review the process, and make complex changes seamlessly.

---

My Verdict

While both Cursor and Windsurf have their strengths, Windsurf is my clear favourite. The reasons are simple:

• A better interface,

• A more reliable agentic model, and

• The ability to pair it with established IDEs like WebStorm.

When I’m stuck on a tough bug or need help navigating a complicated solution, Windsurf feels like the smarter choice. Its understanding of the codebase and the way it maps processes makes my workflow smoother and more efficient.

At the end of the day, if you’re looking for an AI IDE that feels like a true development partner, I’d say Windsurf is the way to go. Cursor has its moments, but for me, it’s Windsurf all the way.

If you want to try windsurf you can claim 500 credits by signing up from this link: https://codeium.com/refer?referral_code=c4a890f869

Let’s Connect!

• 🐦 X/Twitter : a_kazos

• 💼 LinkedIn: alex-kazos

• 👨🏻‍💻 GitHub: alex-kazos