Windsurf - Github Copilot alternative

Windsurf is a VS Code fork enhanced with AI-powered capabilities. Its core feature, Cascade, enables natural collaboration between human and AI through inline commands and code lenses. Solo developers prefer it for autonomous multi-file editing and deep contextual awareness. The free tier includes unlimited Fast Tab completions and 25 prompt credits monthly.

Strengths

• Deep contextual awareness allows Cascade to run on production codebases and provide relevant suggestions.
• Free forever for individuals with unlimited tab completions.
• Plugin support extends Cascade to VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Eclipse, Visual Studio, Neovim, and Google Colab.
• Access to multiple leading AI models including Claude 3.5, Deepseek R1, and Gemini 2.0 Flash.
• Prompt credit system charges per initial prompt rather than per action taken.
• Optional zero data retention available on Pro and higher plans.

Weaknesses

• Free plan limited to 25 prompt credits monthly with premium models requiring paid upgrade.
• Windsurf Editor is a fork requiring separate installation from existing VS Code setup.
• Credits expire at end of usage month and cannot be carried over.
• Extension compatibility issues reported with some frameworks like .NET MAUI.

Best for

Developers who want an AI-native IDE with autonomous agent capabilities and prefer free unlimited autocomplete. Teams needing centralized billing and admin analytics.

Pricing plans

• Free — $0/month — 25 prompt credits/month, unlimited Fast Tab and SWE-1 Lite, 1 app deploy/day
• Pro — $15/month — 500 prompt credits/month, all premium models, SWE-1 model (promotional 0 credits), add-on credits at $10/250, 5 app deploys/day
• Teams — $30/user/month (up to 200 users) — 500 prompt credits/user/month, add-on credits at $40/1,000, centralized billing, admin dashboard, priority support, optional SSO at +$10/user/month
• Enterprise — $60/user/month (up to 200 users) — 1,000 prompt credits/user/month, add-on credits at $40/1,000, RBAC, SSO included, hybrid deployment option, highest priority support
• Enterprise (200+ users) — Custom pricing — Volume discounts, dedicated account management, all Enterprise features

Tech details

• Type: AI agent-powered IDE (VS Code fork) with plugin support
• IDEs: Native Windsurf Editor (Mac, Windows, Linux), plugins for VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Eclipse, Visual Studio, Neovim, Google Colab
• Key features: Cascade AI agent, Windsurf Tab (autocomplete), multi-file editing, inline commands (Cmd/Ctrl+I), autonomous memory generation, parallel Cascade sessions, Windsurf Reviews, app previews and deploys, MCP server support
• Privacy / hosting: Optional zero data retention on Pro+, automated zero retention on Teams+, hybrid deployment available for Enterprise, self-hosted option for Enterprise
• Models / context window: Multiple providers (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, xAI, Deepseek R1), SWE-1 and SWE-1 Lite models, longer context on Enterprise tier (specific sizes unknown)

When to choose this over Github Copilot

• You need autonomous AI agent capabilities that can independently execute multi-file refactoring and codebase-wide changes.
• You want unlimited free autocomplete without monthly message limits or token restrictions.
• Your workflow benefits from an integrated IDE experience rather than just an editor extension.

When Github Copilot may be a better fit

• You prefer staying within your existing VS Code installation without switching to a fork.
• Your organization already uses GitHub Enterprise and wants unified authentication and billing.
• You need guaranteed extension compatibility with the full VS Code marketplace ecosystem.

Conclusion

Windsurf positions itself as a Github Copilot alternative through its autonomous agent architecture and generous free tier. The free plan offers unlimited tab completions and 25 prompt credits monthly, making it accessible for solo developers. The simplified credit system charges once per prompt regardless of actions taken. Enterprise users gain hybrid deployment options and longer context windows for complex codebases.

Sources

• Official site: https://windsurf.com/
• Docs: https://docs.windsurf.com/
• Pricing: https://windsurf.com/pricing

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between Windsurf Editor and Windsurf plugins?

Windsurf Editor is a standalone AI-native IDE built as a VS Code fork. Windsurf plugins bring Cascade AI capabilities to existing IDEs like VS Code, JetBrains, and others. The Editor provides the full native experience while plugins integrate into your current environment.

Q: How does the prompt credit system work?

One prompt credit is consumed when you send a message to Cascade with a premium model, regardless of how many actions Cascade takes. If a message fails, credits are not consumed. Models marked as free (like SWE-1 Lite) cost zero credits.

Q: Can I use Windsurf without sending code to external servers?

Yes, optional zero data retention is available on Pro plans and automated zero data retention on Teams plans. Enterprise customers can also deploy hybrid hosting options. Specific technical implementation details are available through Enterprise sales.

Q: What happens when I run out of prompt credits?

You can either purchase additional credits or continue using free models that cost zero credits in Write or Chat mode. Pro users can set up automatic credit refills with configurable budgets.

Q: Which AI model should I use for code generation?

Claude 3.5 is recommended for most code generation tasks as it is notably better at understanding long content and generating accurate codebases. Windsurf provides access to multiple models including Deepseek R1, Gemini 2.0 Flash, and OpenAI models.

Q: Is Windsurf truly free forever for individuals?

Yes, Windsurf is free forever for individuals. The free plan includes 25 prompt credits monthly, unlimited Fast Tab, unlimited SWE-1 Lite, and one app deploy per day. After using paid credits, you retain access to free models indefinitely.