Cursor
AskZyro PickA capable AI-powered code editor with strong autocomplete, codebase awareness, multiple AI models, agent workflows and developer integrations.
Best for
Developers who want AI coding assistance, codebase awareness, model choice and Agent workflows inside an editor
Skip it if
Users wanting the fastest autonomous vibe-coding experience or a complete replacement for an independent software engineer
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Independently researched · Pricing checked September 2026 · 9-minute read
The 30-second verdict
Cursor is one of the best-known AI code editors, but it is not necessarily the best AI developer for every type of user.
The main difference between Cursor and tools such as Devin is that Cursor is fundamentally an editor-based development environment. It places AI directly inside a VS Code-style workspace, where the user can inspect files, approve changes, switch models, run commands and interact with the codebase. That gives experienced developers a high level of control.
Read our full verdict ↓Collapse ↑
The problem is that control can also create friction. For a user wanting to say "build this entire site" and let an agent take responsibility for the larger workflow, Cursor can feel more like an advanced coding workstation than a complete autonomous builder. The user may still need to direct the agent carefully, inspect changes, fix broken assumptions, resolve terminal errors, manage the development server, understand the project structure, check whether generated code actually works, and re-prompt the agent repeatedly.
James Allsopp personally tested Cursor alongside Devin and found Cursor noticeably slower and less enjoyable for vibe coding. His preference is Devin by a considerable distance, and his personal rating for Cursor is 3.5/5.
Cursor is therefore best positioned on AskZyro as a powerful AI coding environment with a learning curve, not as the definitive AI replacement for a developer or an autonomous coding agent. Choose Cursor if you want to remain inside an IDE and supervise the AI closely. Choose Devin if you want the agent to take more responsibility for planning and completing a broader development task.
3.7
Output quality
3.5
Ease of use
3.2
Value for money
Reviewed by James Allsopp · 7 September 2026
What is Cursor?
Cursor is a code editor based on the Visual Studio Code ecosystem, enhanced with AI features. It can help users write new code, edit existing files, understand a codebase, generate components, refactor code, find bugs, write tests, explain errors, search across a repository, run terminal commands, plan larger coding tasks, review changes, connect external tools, use cloud agents and perform automated code reviews. Cursor is designed to keep the AI close to the code. Instead of copying code into a chatbot, users can ask questions directly within the project and allow the agent to inspect the relevant files. A typical workflow is: download and install Cursor, open an existing project or create a new workspace, allow Cursor to index the codebase, choose an AI model or automatic model mode, ask the Agent to explain, modify or build something, review the proposed file changes, accept, reject or refine the edits, run the application and inspect the result, ask Cursor to debug or improve the implementation, and commit the final changes to Git. Cursor can be used for a small inline completion or a much larger agent task involving multiple files. It supports models from multiple providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI and Cursor itself. It also supports MCP servers, skills, hooks, plugins, rules and subagents for customising agent behaviour. Cursor provides cloud-agent workflows that can work on tasks outside the local editor, and Bugbot, an agentic code-review feature that inspects code changes and flags possible bugs, regressions, security issues, logic errors, missing validation, risky changes and test gaps.
What you can do with Cursor
Generate code from natural-language prompts
build a pricing page, add auth, fix mobile layout
Build websites
landing pages, blogs, dashboards, portfolios, e-commerce, Next.js and React apps
Vibe code applications
to-do apps, calculators, admin panels, CRM prototypes, small SaaS products
Understand an existing codebase
ask where the homepage renders, how auth works, where API calls are made
Search code semantically
find related components, API routes, data models, repeated patterns
Edit multiple files
create a component, update a route, add a database field, change a type, modify CSS
Inline code completion
next line, repeated patterns, function bodies, variable names, imports
Rewrite and refactor
simplify, convert JS to TS, add error handling, extract reusable components
Debug errors
build errors, TypeScript errors, runtime errors, missing imports, API failures
Write tests
unit, integration, end-to-end, component, API and regression tests
Key features
AI code editor
VS Code-style workspace with AI integrated directly
AI Agent
inspects codebase, edits files, runs commands, works through multi-step tasks
Inline autocomplete
predicts next lines, repeated patterns, function bodies, component structures
Codebase indexing
semantic code search across the entire project
Multi-file editing
coordinated changes across several files in one task
Code explanation
understand unfamiliar codebases by asking questions
Refactoring
simplify, convert languages, add error handling, extract components
Debugging
inspects error messages, stack traces and relevant files
Test generation
unit, integration, end-to-end, component and API tests
Terminal access
install packages, run dev servers, execute tests, run linters
Git assistance
review diffs, write commit messages, create branches, resolve conflicts
Cloud agents
assign coding tasks remotely, create branches, run builds
Bugbot
agentic code review that flags bugs, regressions and security issues
Multiple AI models
OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI and Cursor's own models
Automatic model routing
select by cost, balance or intelligence
MCP servers
connect to external tools, databases, APIs and documentation
Skills, hooks and plugins
customise agent behaviour with rules and automations
Privacy mode
control whether code data is used for training
Team administration
SAML/OIDC SSO, usage analytics, shared team context
Pricing
Checked September 2026| Plan | Price | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobby | Limited Agent requests, Composer access, limited model usage, basic editor access | Testing Cursor | Free |
| Pro | Extended Agent limits, frontier models, Cursor-model usage, third-party models, unlimited tab completions, MCP, skills, hooks, cloud agents | Standard individual plan | $20/mo |
| Pro Plus | ~3x Pro Agent limits, higher usage allowances, more generous model access | Heavier daily users | $60/mo |
| Ultra | ~20x Pro Agent limits, highest model usage, priority access to new features | Professional power users | $200/mo |
| Teams | Centralised billing, team admin, internal rules, team skills, shared context, automations, Bugbot, SAML/OIDC SSO | Teams | $40/user/mo (Standard) |
| Enterprise | Pooled usage, invoice billing, SCIM, repo controls, model controls, audit logs, service accounts, priority support | Large organisations | Custom |
Hobby
Limited Agent requests, Composer access, limited model usage, basic editor access
Best for: Testing Cursor
Includes: Free
Pro
Extended Agent limits, frontier models, Cursor-model usage, third-party models, unlimited tab completions, MCP, skills, hooks, cloud agents
Best for: Standard individual plan
Includes: $20/mo
Pro Plus
~3x Pro Agent limits, higher usage allowances, more generous model access
Best for: Heavier daily users
Includes: $60/mo
Ultra
~20x Pro Agent limits, highest model usage, priority access to new features
Best for: Professional power users
Includes: $200/mo
Teams
Centralised billing, team admin, internal rules, team skills, shared context, automations, Bugbot, SAML/OIDC SSO
Best for: Teams
Includes: $40/user/mo (Standard)
Enterprise
Pooled usage, invoice billing, SCIM, repo controls, model controls, audit logs, service accounts, priority support
Best for: Large organisations
Includes: Custom
Strengths, limitations & watch-outs
What it does brilliantly
- Strong editor integration with AI directly inside a VS Code-style workspace
- Broad model selection from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI and Cursor models
- Powerful codebase indexing and semantic search
- Multi-file agent editing with coordinated changes
- Cloud agents for parallel remote work
- MCP support dramatically expands external tool connectivity
- Bugbot provides automated code review
- Generous free Hobby plan for testing
Where it falls short
- More hands-on than autonomous agents like Devin — requires user to direct, inspect and correct
- Usage-based billing means headline price may not reflect total monthly cost
- Moderate to high learning curve for non-developers
- James Allsopp found Cursor slower and less enjoyable for vibe coding than Devin
- AI-generated code can introduce security vulnerabilities if not reviewed
- Complex projects with auth, payments or multiple roles may require heavy supervision
What to know before paying
- Agent usage limits depend on plan and model — additional usage billed on demand
- Daily Agent users may spend $60–$100/month total; power users $200+
- AI-generated tests may reproduce the same assumptions as the code being tested
- Refactoring can accidentally change behaviour — always test after AI changes
- Terminal commands executed by AI create additional risk — review destructive commands
- Mobile access is limited to monitoring and reviewing, not full development
- Model selection requires understanding differences in capability, speed and cost
Privacy & data
Cursor offers Privacy Mode — when enabled, code data is not used for training by Cursor or its model providers. Users should verify the current privacy policy and workspace configuration. Enterprise plans include advanced security controls, audit logs and repository controls. AI-generated code can contain insecure authentication, exposed secrets, weak validation, dependency problems and unsafe database logic — all generated code should be reviewed and tested.
Commercial use
Cursor can be used for commercial development on all paid plans. Enterprise plan includes pooled usage, invoice billing, SCIM seat management, repository controls, model controls, audit logs and service accounts. Teams plan includes centralised billing, team administration, internal rules and SAML/OIDC SSO. Usage-based billing applies — monitor costs when using frontier models heavily.
Screenshots & output examples
Alternatives to Cursor
| If you need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Need autonomous software development | Devin | Agent takes broader ownership of tasks and larger workflows |
| Need mainstream AI assistance in existing IDEs | GitHub Copilot | Mature ecosystem and wide IDE support |
| Need a smoother AI-first editor | Windsurf | More streamlined agentic editor workflow |
| Need terminal-based coding | Claude Code | Strong reasoning and repository work in the terminal |
| Need browser-based app building | Replit Agent | Fast build-and-deploy workflow without local setup |
| Need prompt-based SaaS prototypes | Lovable | Quick application generation from natural language |
| Need rapid browser-based prototyping | Bolt.new | Fast browser-based frontend and full-stack coding |
| Need UI generation | v0 | Strong frontend interface generation |
| Need open-source terminal coding | Aider | Git-friendly open-source AI coding workflows |
| Need a configurable coding agent in VS Code | Cline | Flexible tools and model support inside VS Code |
| Need custom model selection open-source | Continue | Open-source model flexibility for developer workflows |
If you need…
Need autonomous software development
Choose
Why
Agent takes broader ownership of tasks and larger workflows
If you need…
Need mainstream AI assistance in existing IDEs
Choose
Why
Mature ecosystem and wide IDE support
If you need…
Need a smoother AI-first editor
Choose
Windsurf
Why
More streamlined agentic editor workflow
If you need…
Need terminal-based coding
Choose
Claude Code
Why
Strong reasoning and repository work in the terminal
If you need…
Need browser-based app building
Choose
Why
Fast build-and-deploy workflow without local setup
If you need…
Need prompt-based SaaS prototypes
Choose
Why
Quick application generation from natural language
If you need…
Need rapid browser-based prototyping
Choose
Bolt.new
Why
Fast browser-based frontend and full-stack coding
If you need…
Need UI generation
Choose
v0
Why
Strong frontend interface generation
If you need…
Need open-source terminal coding
Choose
Aider
Why
Git-friendly open-source AI coding workflows
If you need…
Need a configurable coding agent in VS Code
Choose
Cline
Why
Flexible tools and model support inside VS Code
If you need…
Need custom model selection open-source
Choose
Continue
Why
Open-source model flexibility for developer workflows
More code & development tools to consider:
Replit Agent
Code & Development
Build production-ready web and mobile applications through conversation, with generated code, databases, authentication, integrations, hosting and collaborative AI agents.
Lovable
Code & Development
Build complete websites and web applications through conversation, with generated interfaces, databases, authentication, payments, hosting and GitHub code export.
GitHub Copilot
Code & Development
AI-powered code completion, chat, agents and code review built into GitHub and popular development environments.
Devin
Code & Development
An autonomous AI developer for delegating coding tasks, creating pull requests and managing local or cloud coding agents.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cursor?+
Cursor is an AI-powered code editor that helps users write, understand, modify, debug and review software.
Is Cursor free?+
Yes. Cursor offers a free Hobby plan with limited Agent requests and Composer access.
How much does Cursor cost?+
Cursor Pro costs $20 per month, Pro Plus costs $60 and Ultra costs $200. Teams and Enterprise plans are priced separately.
Does Cursor have usage limits?+
Yes. Agent usage depends on the selected plan and AI model. Additional usage can be billed on demand after included limits are reached.
Can Cursor build websites?+
Yes. Cursor can build websites, web applications, dashboards, landing pages and content platforms.
Can Cursor build full-stack applications?+
Yes. It can generate frontend, backend, database and integration code, but complex applications require human review and testing.
Is Cursor good for vibe coding?+
Cursor can be good for simple prototypes and developers who like hands-on control. It may feel slower and less autonomous for larger vibe-coding projects.
Is Cursor good for beginners?+
It can help beginners generate code, but understanding the editor, terminal, project structure and debugging process still requires learning.
Does Cursor replace a developer?+
No. Cursor can automate substantial coding work, but users still need to review architecture, security, dependencies, tests and deployment.
Does Cursor work with VS Code?+
Cursor is based on the VS Code ecosystem and provides a familiar editor-style workflow.
Can Cursor use Claude?+
Cursor supports Anthropic models among its available third-party model options, subject to current plan and usage rules.
Can Cursor use OpenAI models?+
Cursor supports OpenAI models among its available model options, subject to current plan, usage and platform arrangements.
Can Cursor use Gemini?+
Cursor supports Google models among its available model options.
Does Cursor have an Agent?+
Yes. Cursor Agent can inspect a codebase, edit files, run commands and work through multi-step coding tasks.
What is Cursor Composer?+
Composer is Cursor's own coding model and agent-oriented system for generating and editing code.
Does Cursor have cloud agents?+
Yes. Cloud Agents allow coding work to be assigned and executed in cloud-based workflows.
What is Bugbot?+
Bugbot is Cursor's AI code-review tool that analyses changes and reports potential problems.
Does Cursor support MCP?+
Yes. Cursor supports MCP servers, allowing agents to connect to external tools and data sources.
Does Cursor support plugins and skills?+
Yes. Cursor supports plugins, skills, rules and hooks for customising agent behaviour.
Is Cursor better than Devin?+
Cursor is better for developers who want direct editor control. Devin may be better for users wanting a more autonomous coding agent. James Allsopp tested both and prefers Devin by a clear distance.
Is Cursor safe?+
Cursor offers privacy and security controls, including Privacy Mode. Users should still avoid exposing secrets and should review which external tools and repositories the Agent can access.
Does Cursor train on my code?+
Cursor provides Privacy Mode settings and states that when enabled, code data is not used for training. Users should verify the current policy and workspace configuration.
Is Cursor worth it?+
Cursor is worth considering for developers who want AI directly inside an editor and are comfortable supervising the work. It is less attractive for users who want an agent to autonomously handle large website or application builds.
Reviewed by James Allsopp
We assess AI tools for output quality, ease of use, pricing, practical value and limitations. Where possible, we test tools directly and verify product and pricing details with the provider.
Last reviewed: 7 September 2026
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