Building
Cursor
The AI-first code editor built for pair programming with AI
4.5/5
500K+ users
Since 2023
Anysphere
FreemiumBeginner Friendly
ToolSchool Verdict
4.5
Overall Score
The most ambitious AI coding tool available. Best for developers ready to adopt AI-native workflows.
Ease of Use
4.2
Features
4.8
Value
4.6
Support
4.0
What is Cursor?
The AI-first code editor built for pair programming with AI
Who makes Cursor?
Cursor is developed by Anysphere.
How much does Cursor cost?
Hobby free forever (limited). Pro $20/mo for unlimited AI. Business $40/user/mo with team features.
Who should use Cursor?
Cursor is ideal for ai-forward developers, full-stack developers, rapid prototypers, vs code users.
TL;DR
- ●The AI-first code editor built for pair programming with AI
- ●Hobby free forever (limited). Pro $20/mo for unlimited AI. Business $40/user/mo with team features.
- ●Best for ai-forward developers and full-stack developers.
- ●Key strength: composer for multi-file changes.
Bottom line: The most ambitious AI coding tool available. Best for developers ready to adopt AI-native workflows.
About Cursor
Cursor is a VS Code fork that puts AI at the center of the coding experience. With deep Claude and GPT-4 integration, it can understand your entire codebase, write multi-file changes, and act as a true AI pair programmer.
Who Should Use Cursor?
AI-Forward Developers
Those ready to adopt AI-native coding workflows
Full-Stack Developers
Multi-file editing shines for cross-cutting changes
Rapid Prototypers
Great for quickly building MVPs and prototypes
VS Code Users
Familiar interface with enhanced AI capabilities
Not Ideal For
Those Preferring Stability
VS Code + Copilot is more battle-tested
JetBrains Users
Cursor is VS Code-based; JetBrains has its own AI tools
Pricing
Last verified: December 23, 2025
Hobby free forever (limited). Pro $20/mo for unlimited AI. Business $40/user/mo with team features.
Most Popular
Pro
$20/mo/mo
- Unlimited completions
- 500 fast premium requests/month
- Unlimited slow premium requests
- Claude & GPT-4 access
- Composer for multi-file edits
Business
$40/user/mo/mo
- All Pro features
- Centralized billing
- Admin dashboard
- Usage analytics
- Privacy mode
Pros & Cons
An honest assessment based on our testing
What We Like
Composer for Multi-File Changes
AI can make coordinated changes across multiple files - a game-changer for refactoring.
Deep Codebase Understanding
Indexes your entire project to provide context-aware suggestions and answers.
Multiple AI Models
Choose between Claude and GPT-4 based on task requirements.
VS Code Compatibility
Fork of VS Code means your extensions and settings largely work.
Agent-Like Capabilities
Can browse documentation, run terminal commands, and iterate on errors.
What Could Be Better
Occasional Instability
Being newer software, some users report crashes and bugs.
Learning Curve
New AI-centric workflows take time to master for maximum productivity.
Not Fully VS Code
Some VS Code features and extensions may not work perfectly.
5
Advantages
identified
3
Limitations
noted
+2
Net Score
favorable
Cursor FAQ
Common questions about Cursor
Is Cursor free?
Yes, Cursor offers a free Hobby tier with limited Tab completions and Agent requests, plus a one-week Pro trial. Pro costs $20/month for extended AI limits and unlimited completions.
Is Cursor better than VS Code with Copilot?
Cursor offers more autonomous AI features like multi-file editing (Composer) and deeper codebase understanding. Copilot excels at inline completions. Many developers see Cursor as the next evolution.
What AI models does Cursor use?
Cursor supports all frontier coding models including Claude 4.5 Sonnet/Opus, GPT-5.2, GPT-5.1 Codex Max, Gemini 3 Pro/Flash, and Grok Code. You can switch between models based on the task, or use Auto mode to let Cursor pick the best model.
Can I use my VS Code extensions in Cursor?
Yes, Cursor is a VS Code fork, so most extensions work. Some may have compatibility issues.
How does Cursor compare to GitHub Copilot?
Copilot is best for inline completions. Cursor offers more ambitious features like multi-file editing and chat-based development. Different philosophies - incremental assistance vs AI-first IDE.
ToolSchool Verdict
Our expert assessment of Cursor
4.5out of 5
Excellent
Ease of Use4.2
Features4.8
Value for Money4.6
Customer Support4.0
“The most ambitious AI coding tool available. Best for developers ready to adopt AI-native workflows.”
Cursor has captured the imagination of developers who want more than just code completion. It represents a new paradigm: the AI-native IDE. Unlike Copilot which adds AI to your editor, Cursor rebuilds the editor around AI. The Composer feature for multi-file edits is genuinely impressive. At $20/month for Pro, it's competitively priced. The main downsides are occasional instability and the learning curve of new AI-centric workflows. For developers ready to embrace AI-first development, Cursor is the leading choice.
Bottom Line:Cursor is an excellent choice and highly recommended.
4.5/5
500K+ users
Free tier available
On This Page
Company Info
- Company
- Anysphere
- Founded
- 2023
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