Bolt vs Windsurf: 2026 comparison
StackBlitz's in-browser AI builder — generates and deploys real Node.js apps from a single prompt.
Bolt vs Windsurf — specs
| Spec | Bolt | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Rank | 73 / 100 (A) | 78 / 100 (A) |
| Autonomy | Semi-autonomous | Semi-autonomous |
| Pricing | Freemium · from $20 | Freemium · from $15 |
| Open source | No | No |
| Capabilities | Code, Tool use, Vision | Code, Tool use, Memory, Browser |
| Integrations | 3 apps | 2 apps |
| Verified | Verified | Verified |
| Released | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 |
Agent Rank breakdown
- Autonomy fit
- 8
- Capabilities
- 6
- Integrations
- 4
- Pricing value
- 8
- Polish & maturity
- 8
- Verifiability
- 10
Auto-computed from autonomy, capabilities, integrations, pricing, maturity and editorial verification. Updated every deploy. How is this computed?
- Autonomy fit
- 8
- Capabilities
- 8
- Integrations
- 4
- Pricing value
- 8
- Polish & maturity
- 9
- Verifiability
- 10
Auto-computed from autonomy, capabilities, integrations, pricing, maturity and editorial verification. Updated every deploy. How is this computed?
Pros & cons
- +StackBlitz WebContainer runs real Node.js in your browser — no cloud workspace needed
- +Framework flexibility — React, Next.js, Vue, Svelte, Astro
- +Code transparency: you see + edit the actual files between prompts
- −Less polished UI defaults than Lovable
- −Steeper learning curve for true non-engineers
- −Backend story less integrated than Lovable + Supabase
- +Cascade agent flows are the strongest "watch it work" UI in any IDE-native agent
- +Cheapest Pro tier in the category at $15/month
- +Codeium has a deep model team — completion quality consistently leads
- −Smaller ecosystem of extensions than Cursor
- −Pro Ultimate ($60) is opaque on which models are actually premium
- −Memory feature less mature than Cursor + Claude Code memories
Pricing
- +1M tokens/month
- +Public projects
- +10M tokens/month
- +Private projects
- +Export to GitHub
- +26M tokens/month
- +55M tokens/month
- +Limited Cascade flow runs
- +Standard models
- +Editor + chat
- +Unlimited Cascade flows
- +All Pro models
- +Background agents
- +Memories
- +Highest model priority
- +Premium models included
- +Higher concurrency
- +SSO + admin
- +Usage analytics
- +Shared memories
Which one should you pick?
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Frequently asked
Should I pick Bolt or Windsurf in 2026?+
Pick Bolt if its specific capabilities (Code, Tool use) match what you need. Pick Windsurf if cost is the main constraint. Most working teams running both can use Bolt for primary work and Windsurf for the workflows where its specific strengths matter.
What's the price difference between Bolt and Windsurf?+
Bolt starts at Freemium · from $20; Windsurf starts at Freemium · from $15. Windsurf is the cheaper entry option. For team deployments the TCO can differ — use the AI Agent Rank TCO calculator for your specific volume.
Which is more autonomous, Bolt or Windsurf?+
Both Bolt and Windsurf are Semi-autonomous agents — neither has a meaningful autonomy advantage over the other. The decision should hinge on capabilities and pricing instead.