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Best for cursor alternatives

Cursor alternatives: AI code editors and coding agents

Cursor is a desktop code editor with agents that can edit a repository, run commands, and show the diff. If you want a different editor, a free or open-source option, or an agent that works inside the editor you already use, these are the DreamBuilds listings to compare. Pricing tiers are shown only when we verified them.

9 tools. Ordered by how directly each listing matches this job, judged from its DreamBuilds description. This is an editorial order, not a benchmark or a test result.

  1. Devin Desktop

    AI IDE and agent manager from Cognition. Formerly Windsurf.

    The closest swap: an AI IDE with an agent manager, from Cognition. It was called Windsurf before.

    Official site

  2. Zed

    Open-source code editor. The editor is free; hosted AI is a paid plan, or you can connect your own API key.

    A different editor altogether. It is open source, and you can use its paid hosted AI or connect your own API key.

    FreemiumOfficial site

  3. GitHub Copilot

    Code completion and a coding agent in GitHub and supported editors.

    Keep the editor you have and add completion plus a coding agent. It also works inside GitHub itself.

    FreemiumOfficial site

  4. Cline

    Open-source coding agent for VS Code. You bring your own model key.

    Stay in VS Code and get an open-source agent that uses your own model key.

    FreeOfficial site

  5. Continue

    Editor extension for AI chat and autocomplete in VS Code and JetBrains.

    Stay in VS Code or JetBrains and add AI chat and autocomplete.

    Official site

  6. Junie

    Coding agent built into JetBrains IDEs.

    For JetBrains users who want an agent built into the IDE rather than a separate editor.

    Official site

  7. Claude Code

    Anthropic's coding agent for the terminal and supported editors. It is not included in Claude's free plan.

    Not an editor: a terminal agent you can run next to any editor. It needs a paid Claude plan.

    PaidOfficial site

  8. Codex

    OpenAI's coding agent for the terminal, an editor extension, and ChatGPT. The free ChatGPT plan includes limited Codex access.

    Also not an editor: a terminal agent and editor extension, with limited access on the free ChatGPT plan.

    FreemiumOfficial site

  9. OpenCode

    Open-source coding agent for the terminal, a desktop app, and IDE extensions. Free models are included, or you can connect models from other providers.

    An open-source terminal agent that also has a desktop app and IDE extensions. Free models are included.

    FreeOfficial site

FAQ

What is a free alternative to Cursor?
Cline and OpenCode are listed as free and open source. With Cline you bring your own model key; OpenCode includes free models or connects to other providers. Zed's editor is also free, with hosted AI as a paid plan or your own API key.
Can I get Cursor-style agents without switching editors?
Yes. Cline runs in VS Code, Continue runs in VS Code and JetBrains, Junie is built into JetBrains IDEs, and GitHub Copilot works in supported editors.
Should I use a terminal coding agent instead of an AI editor?
Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode run in the terminal and also connect to editors, so you can keep any editor you like. The terminal coding agents list compares them.
How do Cursor and Claude Code compare?
See the side-by-side comparison of Cursor and Claude Code on DreamBuilds.

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