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Windsurf

Windsurf is a code editor (an IDE) with AI baked in, built by Codeium and bought by OpenAI in late 2024. Made for developers, it packs in a chat, smart autocomplete, and Cascade — its agent that can edit several files on its own before you approve. If you're not a dev, you don't need it.

Dev tool 4 min read Updated 2026-05-25
— What it is

Windsurf, in plain words

In plain words: it's a development app where an AI helps you write and edit your code, in the same spirit as its rival Cursor.

The Windsurf experience is very close to Cursor: a chat in the sidebar, smart autocomplete, and above all "Cascade" — their agent that can edit several files, run tests, and browse the codebase on its own.

Since the buyout, Windsurf has become OpenAI's showcase for coding. GPT-5.5 and the upcoming OpenAI models land there first.

What it's for

Windsurf is a tool for devs. If you're not a dev, you don't need to install it. Here's what it's good for if you do write code:

  • Cascade Agent: you give it a task in plain language, Cascade explores your project, edits the files it needs, and shows you the changes before you approve.
  • Supercomplete: autocomplete that guesses what you're about to write, smarter than Copilot or the classic Tab.
  • Multi-model: you pick between GPT-5.5, Claude Sonnet 4.6, and others. Handy for comparing.
  • Privacy first: Codeium has always put privacy front and center (a "zero data retention" option). It matters for companies with constraints.
  • Separate VS Code plugin: if you don't want to switch IDEs, Codeium is still available as a VS Code/JetBrains plugin.

How it compares

vs Cursor: even on capabilities. Cursor is ahead on maturity (it shipped a year earlier) and on community. Windsurf has the OpenAI ecosystem behind it. Pick Cursor for the more mature ecosystem, Windsurf if you're already in OpenAI.

vs Claude Code: Claude Code lives in the terminal, Windsurf is a visual IDE. Pick Windsurf if you prefer the visual side and you use GPT-5.5, Claude Code if you want pure Claude in the CLI.

vs GitHub Copilot: Copilot is still a completion plugin. Windsurf is a full IDE with an agent. Windsurf goes way further.

What it costs

Prices as of May 25, 2026 (source: windsurf.com/pricing):

  • Free: $0 — reasonable limits for testing
  • Pro: $15/month — sensible unlimited use, access to premium models
  • Teams: $30/month per user — team management, audit, support

The Pro tier is $5 cheaper than Cursor, which is a deliberate OpenAI play to grab market share.

My take

I don't use Windsurf, I don't code. For what I need, Claude Code in the terminal is more than enough.

On the dev side, the Cursor vs Windsurf match is close. My contacts who've tried both say: Cursor for autocomplete, Windsurf for the Cascade Agent. Depending on how you work, you'll prefer one or the other.

If you're just getting into dev and you want to learn with AI: start with Windsurf's free plan, it's more generous than Cursor to get going.

Quick questions

Is Windsurf OpenAI?

Windsurf is an AI-powered code editor (IDE), built by Codeium and bought by OpenAI in late 2024. Made for developers, it includes the Cascade agent, which edits several files before you approve them.

Which AI model does Windsurf use?

GPT-5.5 by default, but Claude Sonnet 4.6 and others are available depending on your plan.

Windsurf for a non-dev?

No. For general AI use, ChatGPT or Claude are plenty.

Checked on 2026-05-25 · next review 2026-11-25

Prices and specs verified on windsurf.com. No personal use — this page is documented because it's a reference worth knowing in 2026.

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