Cursor
RecommendedAI-first code editor. Built on VS Code with powerful AI features.
Compare side-by-side: Cursor vs Codex vs Claude Code
About Cursor
Cursor is an AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code, designed to make software development dramatically faster by deeply integrating AI into every aspect of the coding workflow. Founded in 2022 by a team from MIT, Cursor has quickly become one of the most popular AI coding tools among professional developers who want more than just autocomplete β they want an editor that truly understands their entire codebase.
What sets Cursor apart from AI coding extensions like GitHub Copilot is its deep, editor-level integration. Because it's a fork of VS Code, Cursor can access your entire project structure, read multiple files simultaneously, and perform complex multi-file edits through natural language commands. Composer (now including Composer 2.5 as the default in the model picker) lets you describe changes across multiple files and watch Cursor implement them coherently. You can also switch to frontier models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others when a task needs a different capability.
What's New
Current default model: Composer 2.5.
Model highlights last updated:
Composer 2.5
2026-05-18 Β·Default Composer model in the picker; aimed at longer multi-step coding and clearer instruction following.
Source: cursor.com Read full breakdown β
Key Features
- βComposer 2.5: Default multi-file agent model (May 2026) for describing features across files with improved long-horizon behavior β see official changelog for details.
- βComposer: Multi-file AI editing β describe a feature and Cursor implements changes across multiple files while maintaining consistency and context.
- βCodebase-Aware Chat: The AI chat understands your entire project structure and can answer questions, find relevant code, and explain complex logic across files.
- βMulti-Model Support: Use Composer 2.5 by default or switch to frontier models from major providers when a task needs a different capability.
- βVS Code Compatibility: Built on VS Code, so all your existing extensions, themes, settings, and keybindings work seamlessly.
- βCmd+K Inline Editing: Select code and use natural language to describe changes β Cursor rewrites the selected block in-place with AI assistance.
- β@ Mentions: Reference specific files, documentation, or web content in your chat with @-mentions for precise, context-rich AI responses.
- βPrivacy Mode: "Privacy Mode" option ensures your code is never stored or used for training β critical for enterprise and security-conscious teams.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $0 | No credit card required, Limited Agent requests, Limited Tab completions |
| Pro | $20/mo | Extended limits on Agent, Access to frontier models, MCPs, skills, and hooks, Cloud agents, Bugbot on usage-based billing |
| Teams | $40/user/mo | Everything in Individual, plus:, Cloud agents with shared team context, Team-wide rules, skills, and automations, Security review agent, SAML/OIDC SSO + enforced team-level privacy mode, Usage analytics, Centralized team billing |
| Enterprise | Custom | Everything in Teams, plus:, Pooled usage, Invoice/PO billing, SCIM seat management, AI code tracking API and audit logs, Priority support and account management |
Last reviewed:
Official pricing sources: cursor.com
Pros & Cons
β Pros
- β Deepest AI integration of any code editor
- β Multi-file Composer changes are game-changing
- β Supports multiple AI models (GPT-4, Claude, etc.)
- β Full VS Code extension compatibility
- β Privacy Mode for sensitive codebases
β οΈ Cons
- β οΈ Requires switching from your current editor
- β οΈ Premium requests can run out quickly on busy days
- β οΈ Relatively new product β still evolving rapidly
- β οΈ Business plan at $40/user is pricey for small teams
- β οΈ Needs internet connection for AI features
Use Cases
Full-Stack Development
Build entire features from frontend to backend using Composer to generate consistent code across React components, API routes, database models, and tests simultaneously.
Code Review & Refactoring
Use codebase-aware chat to understand unfamiliar code, identify bugs, suggest improvements, and refactor legacy code with confidence that changes are consistent.
Documentation & Testing
Generate comprehensive documentation, inline comments, and test suites by asking Cursor to analyze your code and create thorough coverage across your project.
Alternatives
The most popular AI coding assistant; integrates as an extension rather than a standalone editor.
ReplitCloud-based development environment with AI features; browser-native unlike Cursor's desktop app.
TabnineAI code completion tool focused on privacy and on-premise deployment options.
CodeiumFree AI coding assistant with multi-IDE support; lighter weight than Cursor's full editor approach.
V0 DevAI-powered UI generation tool by Vercel; focuses on frontend components rather than full codebase editing.
Bolt NewAI-powered full-stack web app builder; browser-based rapid prototyping rather than editor integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my VS Code extensions in Cursor?
Yes β Cursor is built on VS Code, so virtually all VS Code extensions, themes, settings, and keybindings work out of the box. Your existing workflow transfers seamlessly.
What are "premium requests"?
Premium requests use the most powerful AI models (like GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet) for complex tasks like Composer and advanced chat. The Pro plan includes 500 per month, after which you can continue with standard models or purchase additional requests.
Is my code safe with Cursor?
Cursor offers a Privacy Mode that ensures your code is never stored on their servers or used for model training. Business plans enforce this across the organization. Standard mode may retain data temporarily for functionality.