Cursor

What is Cursor?

Cursor is a code editor forked from VS Code and rebuilt around AI, letting you chat with your whole codebase, generate multi-file changes, and run agents that plan and execute coding tasks end to end. It keeps the familiar editor UX while making AI a first-class part of every workflow.

Key features

• Codebase-aware chat that understands your whole project, not just the open file
• Multi-file edits generated and applied with one review step
• Agent mode that can plan, run terminal commands, and iterate autonomously
• Tab-based inline autocomplete tuned to your existing code style
• Support for multiple models (GPT, Claude, Gemini) in one interface
• Familiar VS Code extensions, themes, and keybindings

How to get started

1. Download Cursor for macOS, Windows, or Linux
2. Open an existing project or clone a repo
3. Use inline Tab completion while typing, or open Chat/Agent for larger tasks
4. Describe a feature or bug in plain language and review the proposed diff
5. Accept, edit, or ask follow-up questions before committing changes

Cursor pricing

The free Hobby tier includes a limited number of fast premium-model requests per month; Pro raises that cap significantly, and Business adds centralized billing and admin controls for teams.

Our take: Deciding between Cursor Pro and GitHub Copilot? Both sit near $20 a month, so pick on how the editor feels, not on price.

Prices change often. Check the official site above for current rates before you commit.

Use cases

• Building new features across multiple files in one pass
• Onboarding onto unfamiliar codebases quickly
• Automated bug fixing and test writing
• Large refactors with consistent style across a repo
• Pairing with terminal commands for full end-to-end tasks

Cursor alternatives

• GitHub Copilot: GitHub Copilot is a plugin for editors you already use, rather than a standalone AI-first editor.
• Codex: Codex leans toward terminal and CLI-driven workflows over an integrated editor experience.
• Lovable: Lovable skips the editor entirely, going from a plain-English description straight to a working app.
• Windsurf: Windsurf is the closest direct competitor: also a standalone AI-first editor with its own agentic editing flow.

FAQ

Is Cursor free to use?

Cursor's plans: Free tier, plus paid Pro/Business plans. Pricing and free-tier limits change over time, so check the official site above for the latest details.

What is Cursor used for?

The AI-first code editor built for full-project development.

Who is Cursor best for?

Cursor is a good fit for building new features across multiple files in one pass, or onboarding onto unfamiliar codebases quickly.

What are the alternatives to Cursor?

Commonly compared alternatives include GitHub Copilot, Codex, and Lovable, see the comparison above for how they differ.

How much does Cursor cost?

Cursor is free to start. Pro runs about $20 a month, Ultra about $200 a month for heavy users, and Business about $40 per user a month for teams. The free Hobby plan is fine if you only need occasional help.

What's the best Cursor alternative?

GitHub Copilot is the most commonly recommended swap: gitHub Copilot is a plugin for editors you already use, rather than a standalone AI-first editor. Which one is actually best depends on which of those tradeoffs matters more for what you're doing.