Continue vs Windsurf: 2026 comparison
Open-source coding agent for VS Code and JetBrains — bring your own model, customize every prompt.
Continue vs Windsurf — specs
| Spec | Continue | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Rank | 75 / 100 (A) | 78 / 100 (A) |
| Autonomy | Semi-autonomous | Semi-autonomous |
| Pricing | Free · OSS | Freemium · from $15 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Capabilities | Code, Tool use, Memory | Code, Tool use, Memory, Browser |
| Integrations | 3 apps | 2 apps |
| Verified | Verified | Verified |
| Released | Feb 2025 | Apr 2025 |
Agent Rank breakdown
- Autonomy fit
- 8
- Capabilities
- 6
- Integrations
- 4
- Pricing value
- 10
- Polish & maturity
- 7
- 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
- +Apache 2.0 — fully open source; auditable end-to-end
- +Works with any OpenAI-compatible API endpoint, including local LLMs
- +JetBrains support that Cursor and Cline lack
- −Smaller community than Cursor or Cline
- −Less polished than Cursor; requires more configuration
- −No native MCP server marketplace — manual config required
- +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
- +Apache 2.0 license
- +BYO model API key
- +VS Code + JetBrains support
- +Shared models + assistants
- +Org-wide rules and prompts
- +Usage analytics
- +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?
Pick Continue if cost is the main constraint or if auditability or self-hosting matters.
Try Continue →Pick Windsurf if its specific capabilities (Code, Tool use) match what you need.
Try Windsurf →Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked
Should I pick Continue or Windsurf in 2026?+
Pick Continue if cost is the main constraint or if auditability or self-hosting matters. Pick Windsurf if its specific capabilities (Code, Tool use) match what you need. Most working teams running both can use Continue for primary work and Windsurf for the workflows where its specific strengths matter.
What's the price difference between Continue and Windsurf?+
Continue starts at Free · OSS; Windsurf starts at Freemium · from $15. Continue 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, Continue or Windsurf?+
Both Continue and Windsurf are Semi-autonomous agents — neither has a meaningful autonomy advantage over the other. The decision should hinge on capabilities and pricing instead.