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Head-to-head · Editor Software

Visual Studio Code vs Cursor

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Visual Studio Code #1 in Editor Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit site
Cursor #3 in Editor Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cursor

Visual Studio Code leads on 0 checks, Cursor on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreVisual Studio Code · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

Visual Studio Code scores higher on our rubric for editor software: 9.4 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Visual Studio Code is the better fit for developers wanting a free, extensible general-purpose editor. Cursor is the better fit for developers prioritizing AI-assisted coding workflows.

  • Visual Studio Code fits best

    Developers wanting a free, extensible general-purpose editor

  • Cursor fits best

    Developers prioritizing AI-assisted coding workflows

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Visual Studio Code 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Cursor 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.1
Ranking #1 in Editor Software #3 in Editor Software
Best for Developers wanting a free, extensible general-purpose editor Developers prioritizing AI-assisted coding workflows
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $20/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Visual Studio Code 0/4 · Cursor 0/4
AI coding assistant Not checked yet Not checked yet
Extensions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Debugging tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Live collaboration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • IntelliSense, debugging, testing, Git, and terminal tools are integrated
  • Extensions add languages, debuggers, linters, themes, and other tools
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web
  • Combines inline completion, code chat, and agent-based multi-file changes.
  • Indexes repositories to provide codebase context.
  • Available as a desktop editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Cons
  • Some workflow capabilities come through extensions
  • Its integrated feature set is focused on code editing and project work
  • Documentation is the listed support channel
  • The free Hobby plan has limited AI usage.
  • Pro starts at $20 per user monthly; higher tiers cost more.
  • The listed support channels are documentation and community.
Our verdict

Visual Studio Code is a free, open-source code editor for developers working on individual files or complete projects. It runs as a desktop app on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is also available in a browser through VS Code for the Web.…

Read the review →

Cursor is a desktop code editor built around AI-assisted software development, aimed at individual developers and software teams. It pairs core editor features with inline completion, conversational code chat, repository indexing, and an…

Read the review →
  1. Visual Studio CodeEditor Software 9.4Free plan
  2. CursorEditor Software 9.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Visual Studio Code — where it wins

    • IntelliSense, debugging, testing, Git, and terminal tools are integrated
    • Extensions add languages, debuggers, linters, themes, and other tools
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web

    Where it doesn't

    • Some workflow capabilities come through extensions
    • Its integrated feature set is focused on code editing and project work
    • Documentation is the listed support channel

  • Cursor — where it wins

    • Combines inline completion, code chat, and agent-based multi-file changes.
    • Indexes repositories to provide codebase context.
    • Available as a desktop editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    Where it doesn't

    • The free Hobby plan has limited AI usage.
    • Pro starts at $20 per user monthly; higher tiers cost more.
    • The listed support channels are documentation and community.
  • Visual Studio Code9.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, extensible editor with coding, debugging, testing, Git, and terminal tools.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Cursor9.1/10 · Free plan

    A desktop editor for developers who want AI in their coding workflow.

    Visit CursorFull verdict →

More comparisons

All editor software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update