Cursor vs Zed
| Cursor | Zed | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | AI code editor with agent mode, background agents and codebase-aware chat. | High-performance code editor with an agent panel and Agent Client Protocol support. |
| Category | Coding Agents | Coding Agents |
| Platforms | Desktop | Desktop |
| Pricing | Freemium | Open source + paid AI |
| Official site | https://cursor.com | https://zed.dev |
Which should you choose?
Choose Cursor if its approach (Desktop; Freemium) fits your stack. Choose Zed if you prefer Desktop and open source + paid ai. Try both on a small task before you commit.