Cursor vs GitHub Copilot vs Windsurf: free plans compared
Short version: GitHub Copilot Free is the only one of the three with published numbers (2,000 code completions a month) and a no-card statement. Windsurf gives unlimited Tab completions and inline edits with a light agent quota. Cursor gives limited AI usage in its editor and agent, without published limits.
| Tool | What you get | Limits | Card required | The catch | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | Entry-level models (auto model selection), 2,000 code completions a month, limited chat and agent mode, and Copilot CLI. | 2,000 completions/month; limited chat and agent usage; auto model selection only | No (stated by vendor) | Chat and agent use draw on a small GitHub AI Credits allowance. More use needs Pro ($10/month); frontier models need Pro+ ($39/month) or Max ($100/month). | github.com/features/copilot/plans checked 2026-10-25 |
| Windsurf | Light quota to code with agents, limited model availability, unlimited inline edits and unlimited Tab completions. | Light agent quota with daily and weekly allowances; free models don't count against it | Vendor doesn't say | windsurf.com/pricing now redirects to devin.ai/pricing, where the editor is sold as Devin Desktop. The quota size isn't published, and frontier models need Pro ($20/month). | docs.devin.ai/desktop/accounts/quota checked 2026-10-28 |
| Cursor | Cursor Agent with limited AI usage, limited agent requests and limited chat requests. | Limited AI usage; cloud agents, automations and Bugbot code reviews not included | Vendor doesn't say | Exact usage limits are not published; cloud agents, automations and AI code reviews are paid-plan only. | cursor.com/pricing checked 2026-10-21 |
Every row is taken from the vendor's official pricing page, checked 2026-10-21 to 2026-10-28. "Vendor doesn't say" means the official page does not mention it. Plans change, so confirm on the vendor's site.
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FAQ
Is GitHub Copilot free?
Yes. GitHub Copilot Free includes entry-level models with auto model selection, 2,000 code completions a month, limited chat and agent usage, and Copilot CLI. The plans page says no credit card is required (checked 2026-10-25).
Which free plan has unlimited autocomplete?
Windsurf: its free plan lists unlimited Tab completions and unlimited inline edits. Copilot Free caps completions at 2,000 a month, and Cursor does not publish its free usage limits.
What are the limits of Cursor's free plan?
Cursor's pricing page lists limited AI usage, limited agent requests and limited chat requests, without exact numbers. Cloud agents, automations and Bugbot code reviews are paid-plan only (checked 2026-10-21).
Is Windsurf still free?
Yes. windsurf.com/pricing now redirects to devin.ai/pricing, where the editor is sold as Devin Desktop. Its Free plan has a light agent quota with daily and weekly allowances, and free models don't count against it (checked 2026-10-28). Frontier models need Pro ($20/month).
Do they need a credit card?
GitHub Copilot's plans page says no credit card is required. Cursor's and Windsurf's pricing pages don't say either way.