Windsurf
AI IDE with Cascade agent — now part of Cognition (Devin's maker)
Model Support
Key Features
Cascade Agent
Multi-file editing agent that understands your entire codebase and runs terminal commands
AI Flows
Synchronized workflows for real-time developer-AI collaboration
Supercomplete
Advanced autocomplete leveraging LLMs for multi-line suggestions including terminal context
Previews & App Deploys
Preview web apps inside the editor and deploy to Netlify via Cascade tool calls
Enterprise ZDR
Zero data retention by default on Enterprise plan — code never stored post-session
Ratings
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Competitive pricing vs Cursor ($15/month vs $20)
- Now backed by Cognition with combined Devin+Windsurf roadmap
- Supercomplete genuinely high-quality autocomplete
- Enterprise ZDR (zero data retention) baked in
- Previews and in-editor app deployment
Limitations
- Acquisition created leadership uncertainty — original founders moved to Google
- Cognition laid off ~30 staff post-acquisition
- Community and ecosystem smaller than Cursor
- Integration with Devin features still maturing
Best For
- Developers wanting capable agentic IDE at lower price than Cursor
- Enterprises with ZDR/compliance requirements
- Teams interested in the future Devin+Windsurf integrated experience
- Organizations open to a newer, evolving product under active development
Pricing Overview
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My Take
The Windsurf story got complicated in mid-2025. The company’s CEO and co-founders left for Google in a $2.4 billion deal, then Cognition (the Devin team) swooped in and acquired what remained. There were layoffs. It was messy.
But here’s the thing: the product is still good, and the combined Cognition+Windsurf roadmap is genuinely interesting. You’re getting an agentic IDE at $15/month—$5 cheaper than Cursor—backed by a well-funded team that’s actively building toward an integrated IDE+autonomous-agent experience. The Cascade agent handles multi-file changes well, and the new Previews feature for web apps is a nice touch.
The honest caveat: if you need stability and a mature community, Cursor is still the safer bet. But if you’re curious about where Windsurf + Devin is heading and want to save $5/month, it’s worth a try.
Bottom line: Under new ownership, still capable. Watch this space — the convergence of IDE and autonomous agent is the interesting story here.
The Cognition Acquisition (July 2025)
In a whirlwind weekend, Cognition AI signed a deal to acquire Windsurf just days after Google hired away Windsurf’s CEO and co-founders in a $2.4 billion licensing deal. The key things that happened:
- Cognition acquired the Windsurf team and technology
- 100% of employees participated financially in the deal
- About 30 staff were subsequently laid off
- The combined entity’s ARR more than doubled post-acquisition
- Cognition is building toward an integrated Devin + Windsurf experience
This means Windsurf’s long-term trajectory is now tied to Cognition’s vision of combining an autonomous agent (Devin) with an IDE layer (Windsurf).
Cascade Agent
Windsurf’s Cascade is a multi-file editing agent that:
- Understands your entire codebase context
- Makes coordinated changes across multiple files
- Runs terminal commands as part of workflows
- Supports in-editor web app Previews and Netlify deployments
Enterprise DNA
Windsurf includes strong enterprise features inherited from Codeium:
- Zero data retention (ZDR) by default on Enterprise
- SOC 2 compliance
- Team management and access controls
- Audit logging for all AI interactions
Who Should Use Windsurf
Windsurf is a good fit if you:
- Want a capable agentic IDE at $15/month (vs Cursor’s $20)
- Need zero data retention for compliance
- Are curious about the converging Devin+Windsurf roadmap
- Can tolerate a product in active transition under new ownership
Compare Windsurf With Others
Side-by-side breakdowns to help you decide.
All comparisons →