Cursor Alternatives: 10 AI Code Editors Compared (2026)

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The closest alternatives to Cursor are Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf), Google Antigravity, and Kiro - standalone editors with AI agents - plus GitHub Copilot if you want to stay in VS Code. If you prefer delegating entire tasks to an agent, choose Claude Code or Codex. We’ve compiled 10 tools with pricing from official sites, verified October 3, 2026. For a description of Cursor itself, see our Cursor guide.

Why People Look for Cursor Alternatives

• OpenAI models are disappearing. After SpaceX acquired Cursor, OpenAI isn’t providing GPT-6 access and is disabling its models on November 12. We covered this in OpenAI cuts off Cursor from its models.
• Change of ownership. Since August 2026, Cursor has belonged to SpaceX, which makes approval harder for some companies (more about the acquisition).
• Usage-based billing. Pro at $20 is a pool billed at API prices, so it runs out quickly on more expensive models.
• Fewer free options. There’s no longer a Pro trial or free year for students. What remains is described in our Cursor for free article.

10 Alternatives in One Table

A broader overview, including app generators like Lovable and Replit, is in our AI for programming hub.

Which One to Choose When

You Want an Editor Like Cursor, Just from Someone Else

• Devin Desktop - closest to Cursor’s workflow: editor, agent, Tab. Pro costs the same $20, and limits refresh daily and weekly. Good choice if you already use Devin from Cognition.
• Google Antigravity - best free start and the only way to get Claude Opus 5.5 in a Google subscription. Limits aren’t given in numbers.
• Kiro - AWS editor with emphasis on specifications: the agent first writes requirements and a plan, then writes code. Billed in credits, additional at $0.04.
• Trae - pricing almost like Cursor (20, 60, 200 USD) with a usage pool in dollars. For company code, read the data processing terms first.
• Zed - when VS Code’s weight bothers you. Fast editor where you connect your own API keys or external agents, e.g. Claude Agent and Codex CLI. Pro gives 14-day trial.

You’re Staying in VS Code or JetBrains

• GitHub Copilot - cheapest paid entry ($10) and best GitHub integration. You don’t change editors, you get an agent and pull request review.
• Cline - open source extension where you only pay for tokens from your chosen provider. Full control over model and costs, but no subscription with a pool.
• Kilo Code - similar idea to Cline, with a gateway to over 500 models at provider prices and optional Kilo Pass subscription. A 5% fee is added when purchasing credits.

You Prefer Delegating Tasks to an Agent Rather Than Writing in an Editor

• Claude Code - terminal agent on Claude models. Requires a paid Claude plan, but limits are shared with chat.
• Codex - OpenAI agent with the latest GPT-6 models, which won’t be in Cursor. Works locally and in the cloud.

We detailed the differences between these two in Codex or Claude Code, and terminal agents are compared on one task in our gross-net calculator test.

You Want to Work for Free or Locally

• Antigravity without a subscription and Copilot Free are the most convenient free options with ready-made models.
• Zed, Cline and Kilo Code support local models, e.g. through Ollama. Code doesn’t leave your computer then, but you need a powerful graphics card, and the quality of local models in agent tasks is lower than Claude or GPT.

Similar Prices, Different Billing

Most tools start at $20, but for that amount you get something different:

• pool in dollars at API prices - Cursor, Trae; a cheap model gives more work than an expensive one;
• credits - Kiro (1000 in Pro), GitHub Copilot (GitHub AI credits: $15 in Pro, $70 in Pro+);
• time windows without numbers - Antigravity (5 hours and a week, described in Antigravity limits), Devin Desktop (day and week);
• limit shared with chat - Claude Code and Codex use the same plan as the Claude or ChatGPT app;
• you pay the model provider - Cline, Kilo Code, Zed with your own key.

What We Choose

1. For learning and small projects: Antigravity without subscription or Copilot Free.
2. If already paying for Google AI Pro: Antigravity, because it gives Gemini and Claude 5.5 without extra charges.
3. For daily editor work at $10: GitHub Copilot Pro.
4. For large tasks delegated to an agent: Claude Code or Codex, depending on whether you prefer Anthropic or OpenAI models.
5. When code can’t leave the computer: Cline or Zed with a local model.

Cursor remains a good choice if you want many models in one editor and use Composer or Grok, which have a separate, larger pool in it. If you don’t code, start with Cursor won’t help you if you don’t know what to ask.

Sources

• Devin (formerly Windsurf): pricing
• Google Antigravity: plans
• GitHub Copilot: plans
• Anthropic: Claude pricing
• OpenAI: ChatGPT and Codex plans
• Kiro: pricing
• Zed: pricing
• Cline: pricing
• Kilo Code: pricing
• Trae: pricing
• Void: repository (project abandoned)
• Roo Code: repository (archived)

Prices verified October 3, 2026. AI tool plans change every few weeks, so compare with official pricing before purchasing.

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