Cursor vs Devin Desktop: Side-by-Side Comparison 2026
Cursor vs Devin Desktop comparison for 2026. Features, pricing, AI capabilities, and editor support analyzed side by side to help you choose the right coding tool for your workflow.
Cursor and Devin Desktop (the IDE formerly known as Windsurf, renamed by Cognition in June 2026) are the closest direct competitors on this list. Both are VS Code forks, both bake AI into the editor instead of bolting it on as an extension, and both target the same buyer: a developer who wants the editor itself to feel agentic. Devin Desktop's distinguishing bet is agent management: its local agent, Devin Local (a Rust rewrite of the old Cascade agent), plans changes before executing them, and the Agent Command Center runs local and cloud Devin sessions from one screen. Cursor's distinguishing bet has been raw inference speed and the tab-completion model that predicts your next jump.
Cursor
AI-powered code editor built on VS Code with deep AI integration for code generation, editing, and chat.
- ✓ AI autocomplete
- ✓ Chat with codebase
- ✓ Multi-file editing
- ✓ Terminal commands
- ✓ Code explanation
Free / $20/mo · 6 plans
Devin Desktop
Agentic AI IDE from Cognition, formerly Windsurf (renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026). Devin Local, a Rust rewrite of the Cascade agent, makes multi-file changes locally, and the Agent Command Center manages local and cloud Devin sessions from one surface. Also available as a plugin for VS Code and JetBrains.
- ✓ Cascade agentic AI
- ✓ Code completions
- ✓ Multi-file editing
- ✓ Terminal integration
- ✓ Codebase search
Free / $20/mo · 5 plans
| Feature | Cursor | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI IDE | AI IDE |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Model Family | Multi-model | Multi-model |
| Open Source | No | No |
Pricing verified Jun 5, 2026. Cursor pricing | Devin Desktop pricing
Key Differences
- Editor heritage: Both are VS Code forks, so the keyboard shortcuts, extension marketplace, and basic UX are nearly identical out of the box.
- Agent design: Devin Desktop leads with Devin Local, a plan-first agent that maps out changes before executing, plus an Agent Command Center for managing sessions. Cursor leads with inline Tab and a more reactive agent loop.
- Proprietary models: Devin Desktop ships with first-party SWE models that cost zero credits to use. Cursor relies on third-party models and bills credits for premium ones.
- Ownership and direction: Cognition acquired Windsurf in 2025 and folded it into the Devin product line as Devin Desktop in June 2026; one subscription now covers the IDE and the cloud agent. Cursor (Anysphere) is independent and product-focused.
- Pricing entry point: Both Pro plans are $20/mo, and both have free tiers with limited usage. Devin Desktop Pro also includes cloud Devin sessions.
Which Should You Choose?
Pick Cursor for snappy single-file work and a polished Tab experience. Pick Devin Desktop if you want a heavier agentic loop where the editor plans and executes multi-step changes for you, with cloud Devin handoff and first-party SWE models that cost no credits. Read our full Cursor review and Devin Desktop review for the deeper breakdown.