Cursor is a VS Code fork with AI integrated at the editor level. Predictive Tab autocomplete, multi-file Composer, and the flexibility to switch between Claude, GPT-4o, and Gemini—without leaving your IDE.
Who this is for: Developers who want AI assistance without changing their workflow. If you live in VS Code, Cursor feels like an upgrade, not a migration.
The bottom line: Best-in-class developer experience for daily iterative work. Not for autonomous agent workflows—Cursor augments your typing, doesn’t replace your decision-making.
What Cursor Is
Three Core Features
| Feature | What It Does | Latency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tab | Predictive autocomplete | <50ms | Speeding up line-by-line coding |
| Chat | Inline AI assistant | 2-5s | Quick questions, explanations |
| Composer | Multi-file editing | 5-30s | Refactoring across files |
Model Flexibility
Cursor lets you choose your backend:
- Claude 3.5/4 Sonnet — Best reasoning, code understanding
- GPT-4o — Fast, general-purpose
- Gemini — Long context (1M tokens on some tiers)
- Custom API keys — BYO Anthropic/OpenAI keys
Switch models mid-conversation. Different tasks need different reasoning.
Pricing
Pro Tier: $20/month
- Unlimited Tab — Predictive autocomplete without limits
- 500 Fast Requests/month — Chat and Composer at priority speed
- Unlimited Slow Requests — Queue-based, no hard cap
- 10 Claude 4.0 Sonnet Requests/day — Latest model access
Business Tier: $40/user/month
- Everything in Pro, plus:
- Centralized billing — Team management
- Usage analytics — Track team adoption
- SSO/SAML — Enterprise authentication
The Math
At 500 fast requests/month on Pro:
- ~16-25 substantial tasks daily (assuming 20-30 requests per task)
- Effective cost: $0.04 per fast request
For heavy users, this is cheaper than API-based alternatives. Light users may overpay.
Where Cursor Wins
1. Zero Migration Friction
Cursor is a VS Code fork:
- 95%+ extension compatibility — Your extensions work
- Automatic settings import — Keybindings, themes, config
- Same shortcuts — No relearning
2. The Tab Experience
Industry-leading predictive editing:
- Multi-line completions
- Context-aware suggestions
- Natural language to code
3. Diff-First Review
Cursor shows changes as visual diffs before applying:
- Accept/reject per hunk — Granular control
- Side-by-side comparison — See exactly what changes
- Reduces AI anxiety — You see before you commit
Where Cursor Falls Short
Not Autonomous
Cursor is not an agent platform:
- No parallel execution
- No scheduled tasks
- No worktree isolation
- Every action requires your presence
Compare to Codex or see the Codex vs Claude Code vs Cursor guide for autonomous workflows.
Single-Threaded
One “thought” at a time:
- Composer works sequentially
- No background agents
- Can’t delegate and return later
VS Code Lock-In
If you don’t use VS Code:
- No native JetBrains support
- Terminal-only workflows need adaptation
- Web IDE users are out of luck
Security Considerations
Data Handling
| Feature | Data Path | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Tab | Local inference + cloud | Low-medium |
| Chat | Cloud processing | Medium |
| Composer | Cloud processing | Medium |
| Custom API keys | Direct to provider | Low |
Best Practices
- Use custom API keys for sensitive codebases (bypasses Cursor’s cloud)
- Disable telemetry in settings for air-gapped concerns
- Review terms of service — Cursor may use data for model improvement (verify current policy)
Cursor vs The Alternatives
| Tool | Type | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursor | IDE fork | Daily development, UI work | $20/mo subscription |
| Codex | Cloud agent | Parallel tasks, large refactors | $20-200/mo + API |
| Claude Code | Terminal agent | Complex logic, transparency | Pure API usage |
| OpenCode Zen | Free client | Free tier access | $0 (Kimi/GLM) |
The distinction: Cursor augments your coding. Codex and Claude Code autonomously complete tasks.
When To Choose Cursor
Choose Cursor when:
- You want AI without changing your IDE
- Daily iterative development is your main use case
- Predictable subscription pricing matters
- You value diff-based review workflows
Skip Cursor when:
- You need autonomous agents (use Codex)
- You want maximum transparency (use Claude Code)
- You prefer pay-as-you-go to subscriptions
- You’re not a VS Code user
Setup
- Download from cursor.com
- Sign in (or use custom API keys)
- Import VS Code settings (automatic prompt)
- Start coding—Tab works immediately
Related Resources
- Codex vs Claude vs Cursor — Three-way comparison
- Free Frontier Stack — $0 alternatives
- Smart Spend Guide — When to pay for AI tools
Last updated: February 3, 2026. Pricing and features subject to change—verify at cursor.com.