Cursor
The AI-first code editor. VS Code fork with Composer (multi-file edits), autonomous Agent mode, and frontier model access. ~$2B ARR, 1M+ daily active users.
Overview
You get a VS Code fork rebuilt around AI from the ground up. Cursor ships Composer for coordinated multi-file edits with diff-by-diff review, an Agent mode that plans, codes, runs tests, and fixes errors autonomously, and tab completion that predicts your next edit rather than just the next token. It connects to Claude 4.x, Gemini 2.5, GPT-4o, and o1 — you pick per task or let Auto mode decide. The editor became the default for AI-native coding somewhere between 2024 and 2026, pulling serious users away from GitHub Copilot. Native MCP support means you can wire in custom tools and data sources. In-editor PR review keeps you from context-switching to a browser. At ~$2B ARR and over a million daily actives, it's not a bet on the future — it's already the present for a lot of engineering teams. Pricing scales from free (Hobby) through Pro at $20/mo, Pro+ at $60/mo, and Ultra at $200/mo. Teams pay $40/user/mo. The free tier works for kicking tires; real usage means paying.
- Edit multiple files at once with Composer and review each diff before committing
- Run Agent mode to plan, write, test, and fix code in the background
- Autocomplete that predicts your next edit, not just the next character
- Connect custom tools and data via native Model Context Protocol support
- Review and comment on pull requests without leaving the editor
- Switch between Claude, Gemini, GPT-4o, and o1 per task or let Auto mode pick
What stands out
- VS Code muscle memory transfers — extensions, keybindings, settings mostly work
- Agent mode handles multi-step tasks you'd otherwise do manually
- Model flexibility lets you match the right LLM to the job
- Large user base means bugs get found and fixed fast
Where it falls short
- Pro+ and Ultra pricing adds up quickly for heavy users
- Dependent on external model APIs — outages or rate limits affect your workflow
- Some VS Code extensions break or behave differently
- Free tier is limited enough that real work requires a paid plan
Who it's for
- Professional developers replacing GitHub Copilot with a fuller AI workflow
- Engineering teams standardizing on one AI-native editor across the org
- Solo devs shipping fast who want autonomous coding agents, not just autocomplete
- Power users who switch between frontier models depending on the task
- Developers already comfortable in VS Code who want AI without learning a new editor
Pricing
What we hold on record for Cursor.
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- Plan details
- Hobby (free) / Pro $20/mo / Pro+ $60/mo / Ultra $200/mo / Teams $40/user/mo
Advertised prices often assume annual billing — The Annual-Billing Illusion , our study of 150 tools.
Our take
Cursor is the category-defining AI-first IDE — Composer for multi-file edits, Agent mode for autonomous tasks, ~$2B ARR, 1M+ daily active users.
— Toolhunter editors , from Cursor vs Windsurf
Frequently asked questions
Is Cursor free?
There's a free tier. Paid upgrades are available.
How much does Cursor cost?
Hobby (free) / Pro $20/mo / Pro+ $60/mo / Ultra $200/mo / Teams $40/user/mo.
What is Cursor used for?
VS Code with actual AI superpowers. It's listed under Code Assistants in our directory.
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