Alternatives
Windsurf alternatives in 2026
Windsurf became Devin Desktop on 2 June 2026. The editor is still inside, but the app now opens on Cognition's Agent Command Center, and since March its plans use daily and weekly quotas instead of credits. If you liked Windsurf as an editor, these are the alternatives worth a look.
Why people look
What changed at Windsurf.
A different default
Devin Desktop opens on a Kanban board for local and cloud agents. The editor is a click away, but it's no longer the centre of the app.
Quotas instead of credits
Since 19 March 2026, usage resets daily and weekly, and how far it goes depends on the model. Cognition estimated 7 to 27 messages a day on Pro with its top models.
Cascade is gone
Cascade was replaced by Devin Local, and legacy Cascade use ended on 1 July 2026.
At a glance
6 alternatives to Windsurf.
| Feature | What it is | Pricing per month | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flintr | AI code editor, in development | Hobby free. Pro $20, Pro+ $60, Ultra $200 | Windsurf users who want an editor-first app |
| Cursor | AI code editor | Free. Plus $8, Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200 | A mature AI editor you can use today |
| GitHub Copilot | AI assistant for your IDE | Free. Pro $10, Pro+ $39, Max $100 | Staying in VS Code or JetBrains at a low price |
| Zed | Native code editor | Free with your own keys. Pro $10 | A fast, native editor |
| Claude Code | Coding agent for the terminal and IDE | With Claude Pro $20 or Max $100 and $200 | Handing whole tasks to an agent |
| Cline | Open-source agent for VS Code | Free. Pay for model usage, or ClinePass $9.99 | An open-source agent in VS Code |
Swipe sideways to see every column.
Prices are in US dollars per month from each product's public pricing, checked in October 2026. Flintr is in development and its prices are planned prices. We make Flintr; the order puts it first, and the trade-offs say where the others are better.
- 1
Flintr
AI code editor, in development · Independent · Hobby free. Pro $20, Pro+ $60, Ultra $200
Best for: Windsurf users who want an editor-first app
Built on Code OSS like Windsurf, so extensions and keybindings carry over, and the importer converts .windsurf/rules and .windsurfrules. Plans include a monthly dollar amount of usage on any model, and usage beyond it is billed at list price.
Trade-off: Still in development. Backers get the private beta first.
- 2
Cursor
AI code editor · X · Free. Plus $8, Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200
Best for: A mature AI editor you can use today
Still the best-known AI editor, with Tab, agents and cloud agents, also built on Code OSS. New customers buy The X Subscription, from $8 a month.
Trade-off: Included usage covers Grok and Cursor's own models. Claude, GPT and Gemini are billed separately, from Premium up.
- 3
GitHub Copilot
AI assistant for your IDE · GitHub · Free. Pro $10, Pro+ $39, Max $100
Best for: Staying in VS Code or JetBrains at a low price
Pro is $10 a month with $15 of AI credits, Pro+ is $39 with $70, and completions are unlimited on paid plans.
Trade-off: An assistant inside your editor, not an editor of its own.
- 4
Zed
Native code editor · Zed Industries · Free with your own keys. Pro $10
Best for: A fast, native editor
Written in Rust and drawn on the GPU, with agents and collaboration built in. Free with your own API keys, and Pro is $10.
Trade-off: It doesn't run VS Code extensions, so your Windsurf extensions won't come along.
- 5
Claude Code
Coding agent for the terminal and IDE · Anthropic · With Claude Pro $20 or Max $100 and $200
Best for: Handing whole tasks to an agent
If you used Windsurf mainly for Cascade, Claude Code gives you an agent in the terminal or your IDE. It comes with Claude Pro and Max.
Trade-off: Claude models only, with five-hour session and weekly limits.
- 6
Cline
Open-source agent for VS Code · Cline · Free. Pay for model usage, or ClinePass $9.99
Best for: An open-source agent in VS Code
Free and open source, with your own API keys or local models, in VS Code and its forks.
Trade-off: An agent rather than an editor, and you manage model costs yourself.
How to choose
Questions to ask before you switch.
Do you want the agent board?
If Devin Desktop's Agent Command Center suits you, you may not need to move. If you mostly edit code, an editor-first app will feel more like Windsurf did.
Will your extensions come along?
Flintr, Cursor and VS Code run the same extensions as Windsurf. Zed doesn't.
How predictable is the bill?
Compare quotas, credits and dollar amounts, and check what happens when they run out.
Sources, checked October 2026
- Cursor: Pricing
- Cursor Docs: Legacy Cursor plans
- Cognition: Windsurf is now Devin Desktop
- Devin Docs: Devin Desktop FAQ
- GitHub Docs: Plans for GitHub Copilot
- GitHub Docs: Usage-based billing for individuals
- Anthropic: Claude plans and pricing
- Claude Help Center: Use Claude Code with your Pro or Max plan
- Zed: Pricing
- Zed Docs: Edit Prediction
- Cline: Pricing
FAQ
Windsurf alternatives, answered.
Is Windsurf discontinued?
No. It was renamed Devin Desktop on 2 June 2026 and kept its plans, settings and extensions. The Windsurf name is gone and the default view changed.
What's the closest alternative to Windsurf?
Another editor built on Code OSS, so your extensions and keybindings keep working: Flintr once it launches, or Cursor today.
Can I import my Windsurf rules into Flintr?
Yes. The importer converts .windsurf/rules and legacy .windsurfrules files to .flintr/rules, and brings across MCP servers, settings and extensions.
Is there a free alternative to Windsurf?
Zed and Cline are free with your own API keys, GitHub Copilot Free includes 2,000 completions a month, and Flintr will have a free Hobby plan.
Also see Cursor alternatives, GitHub Copilot alternatives and every comparison.
Your editor. Your models. Your bill.
Flintr is in development and funded by the people who'll use it. Back the launch from €5, or from €25 to get into the private beta.
Coming to macOS 12+ · Windows 10+ · Linux (deb, rpm, AppImage)