kitio.aiVisual Studio Code vs Cursor
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Visual Studio Code is completely free, while Cursor is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- AI agents that plan and code
- Model selection
- MCP support
- Extension marketplace
- Integrated terminal and debugger
- Web version
- Tab autocomplete
- Agent mode
- Codebase chat
- Bugbot PR review
- VS Code extensions
| Feature | Visual Studio Code | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Free open-source editor with built-in AI agents for coding | AI code editor that edits across your whole codebase |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $8/mo |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes |
| Made by | Microsoft | Anysphere (SpaceX) |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Visual Studio Code is completely free, while Cursor is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
6 plans
Free
Free
- Limited AI usage
- Limited agent requests
Plus
$8/mo
- Shared AI usage pool
- Grok models only
Premium
$30/mo
- 4x Plus usage
- Cloud agents and automations
- Bugbot code reviews
Super
$100/mo
- 15x Plus usage
- Priority model access at peak
Ultra
$200/mo
- 50x Plus usage
- Earliest access to products and models
Teams
$30/mo
- Per user
- Pooled usage
- Team admin controls
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Visual Studio Code
- Free and open source
- Huge extension ecosystem
- Runs on all major desktop systems
- Heavier than lightweight editors
- AI features may need separate model access
- Extensions vary in quality
Cursor
- Understands the whole repository
- Familiar VS Code interface
- Choice of AI models
- Third-party models cost extra
- Heavy on memory for large projects
- Plans changed several times in 2026
Which one should you choose?
Choose Visual Studio Code if you want:
- Free and open source
- Huge extension ecosystem
- Runs on all major desktop systems
Watch out: heavier than lightweight editors.
Choose Cursor if you want:
- Understands the whole repository
- Familiar VS Code interface
- Choice of AI models
Watch out: third-party models cost extra.
Visual Studio Code vs Cursor FAQ
What is the difference between Visual Studio Code and Cursor?
Visual Studio Code: Free open-source editor with built-in AI agents for coding. Cursor: AI code editor that edits across your whole codebase. Both are coding tools.
Is Visual Studio Code or Cursor cheaper?
Visual Studio Code is completely free, while Cursor is freemium.
Do Visual Studio Code and Cursor have free plans?
Visual Studio Code: Yes, fully free. Cursor: Yes.
Who makes Visual Studio Code?
Visual Studio Code is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Who makes Cursor?
Cursor is made by Anysphere (SpaceX), based in United States.
Which should I choose, Visual Studio Code or Cursor?
Choose Visual Studio Code if you value free and open source and huge extension ecosystem. Choose Cursor if you value understands the whole repository and familiar vs code interface.