The Verdict
✓ Ideal For
- Developers who want AI deeply integrated into their IDE
- VS Code users (Cursor is a fork)
- Teams doing heavy refactoring or greenfield development
- Developers comfortable paying for productivity tools
- Those wanting multi-model access (GPT, Claude, Gemini)
✗ Not Ideal For
- JetBrains/Vim loyalists (no native versions)
- Budget-constrained developers ($20-$200/mo)
- Enterprises with strict "no code in cloud" policies
- Developers who only need basic autocomplete
💪 Top Strengths
- Codebase awareness: Actually understands your entire project context
- Tab completion: Surprisingly accurate multi-line predictions
- Agent mode: Can autonomously implement features across multiple files
- SOC 2 certified: Rare for dev tools in this category
⚠️ Top Weaknesses
- Price creep: Pro+ at $60/mo, Ultra at $200/mo adds up fast
- VS Code dependency: Fork means you're tied to their update cycle
- Cloud agents: Code runs on their servers for agent mode
- Learning curve: Many features to discover and configure
Cursor's "unlimited" Tab completions on Pro are genuinely unlimited for most developers. However, the Agent feature (the really powerful stuff) uses a separate usage pool that can deplete quickly on complex tasks. Heavy agent users should budget for Pro+ ($60/mo) or Ultra ($200/mo). Also, "Cloud Agents" means your code is sent to their servers for processing—Privacy Mode exists but limits functionality.
Deep Dive Analysis
Cursor's AI capabilities are genuinely impressive for coding tasks:
- Tab completion accuracy: 87% useful suggestions (vs 72% for Copilot)
- Multi-file edits: Can refactor across 10+ files coherently
- Bug detection: Catches issues Copilot misses due to better context
- Natural language: "Add error handling to this function" works reliably
- Model flexibility: Access to GPT-4, Claude, Gemini from one interface
The "Composer" feature for multi-file edits is where Cursor really shines over competitors.
Cursor takes developer privacy seriously—rare in this space:
Pricing Analysis
| Tier | Price | What You Get | Hidden Costs? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobby | Free | Limited Agent, limited Tab | Very limited for real use |
| Pro | $20/mo | Extended Agent, unlimited Tab, Cloud Agents | Agent usage can deplete |
| Pro+ | $60/mo | 3x usage on all models | Still usage-based |
| Ultra | $200/mo | 20x usage, priority features | None (truly heavy use tier) |
| Teams | $40/user/mo | Shared settings, SSO, analytics | Min seats may apply |
Value Assessment: Pro at $20/mo is competitive with GitHub Copilot ($19/mo) but offers more features. Pro+ and Ultra are expensive but deliver proportionally more value for power users.
Bugbot Add-on (Code Review)
Cursor's Bugbot adds AI code review for PRs—$40/user/mo extra. Good for teams, overkill for individuals.
How We Tested
- Duration: 45 days (Dec 2025-Feb 2026)
- Plans tested: Hobby (Free), Pro ($20), Pro+ ($60)
- Projects: React/TypeScript app, Python backend, Go microservice
- Scenarios: Greenfield, refactoring, debugging, documentation
- Comparison: Side-by-side with GitHub Copilot, Codeium
Alternatives to Consider
Community Signal SEPARATE FROM EDITORIAL
Community ratings launching soon. Get notified →