Things are changing so fast with these vscode forks I m barely able to keep up. Which one are you guys using currently? How does the autocomplete etc, compare between the two?
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69 Comments
sharedptr
Personally copilot/code assist for tab autocomplete, if I need longer boilerplate I request it to the LLM. Usually VIM with LSP.
Anything that’s not boilerplate I still code it
skrhee
Zed! I find it to be less buggy and generally more intuitive to use.
manojkumarsmks
Using cursor.. pretty good tool.
Pick one and start.
vasachi
I’d just wait a bit. At current rate of progress winner will be apparent sooner rather than later.
snthpy
Cline?
shaunxcode
neither : my pen is my autocomplete
outcoldman
I really like Zed. Have not tried any of the mentioned by op.
Zed I feel like is getting somewhere that can replace Sublime Text completely (but not there yet).
danpalmer
Zed. They've upped their game in the AI integration and so far it's the best one I've seen (external from work). Cursor and VSCode+Copilot always felt slow and janky, Zed is much less janky feels like pretty mature software, and I can just plug in my Gemini API key and use that for free/cheap instead of paying for the editor's own integration.
SafeDusk
I am betting on myself.
I built a minimal agentic framework (with editing capability) that works for a lot of my tasks with just seven tools: read, write, diff, browse, command, ask and think.
One thing I'm proud of is the ability to have it be more proactive in making changes and taking next action by just disabling the `ask` tool.
I won't say it is better than any of the VSCode forks, but it works for 70% of my tasks in an understandable manner. As for the remaining stuff, I can always use Cursor/Windsurf in a complementary manner.
It is open, have a look at https://github.com/aperoc/toolkami if it interests you.
websap
Currently using cursor. I've found cursor even without the AI features to be a more responsive VS Code. I've found the AI features to be particularly useful when I contain the blast radius to a unit of work.
If I am continuously able to break down my work into smaller pieces and build a tight testing loop, it does help me be more productive.
ebr4him
Both, most times one works better than the other.
rcarmo
Neither. VS Code or Zed.
joelthelion
Aider! Use the editor of your choice and leave your coding assistant separate. Plus, it's open source and will stay like this, so no risk to see it suddenly become expensive or dissappear.
anonymoushn
I evaluated Windsurf at a friend's recommendation around half a year ago and found that it could not produce any useful behaviors on files above a thousand lines or so. I understand this is mostly a property of the model, but certainly also a property of the approach used by the editor of just tossing the entire file in, yeah? I haven't tried any of these products since then, but it might be worth another shot because Gemini might be able to handle these files.
eisfresser
Windsurf at the moment. It now can run multiple "flows" in parallel, so I can set one cascade off to look into a bug somewhere while another cascade implements a feature elswhere in the code base. The LLMs spit out their tokens in the background, I drop in eventually to reveiew and accept or ask for further changes.
da_me
Cursor for personal projects and Just Pycharm for work projects.
geoffbp
Vs code with agent mode
adocomplete
Amp.
Early access waitlist -> ampcode.com
sidcool
VS Code with Copilot.
pbowyer
I've had trials for both running and tested both on the same codebases.
Cursor works roughly how I've expected. It reads files and either gets it right or wrong in agent mode.
Windsurf seems restricted to reading files 50 lines at a time, and often will stop after 200 lines [0]. When dealing with existing code I've been getting poorer results than Cursor.
As to autocomplete: perhaps I haven't set up either properly (for PHP) but the autocomplete in both is good for pattern matching changes I make, and terrible for anything that require knowledge of what methods an object has, the parameters a method takes etc. They both hallucinate wildly, and so I end up doing bits of editing in Cursor/Windsurf and having the same project open in PhpStorm and making use of its intellisense.
I'm coming to the end of both trials and the AI isn't adding enough over Jetbrains PhpStorm's built in features, so I'm going back to that until I figure out how to reduce hallucinations.
0. https://www.reddit.com/r/Codeium/comments/1hsn1xw/report_fro…
jsumrall
Amazon Q. Claude Code is great (the best imho, what everything else measures against right now), and Amazon Q seems almost as good and for the first week I've been using it I'm still on the free tier.
The flat pricing of Claude Code seems tempting, but it's probably still cheaper for me to go with usage pricing. I feel like loading my Anthropic account with the minimum of $5 each time would last me 2-3 days depending on usage. Some days it wouldn't last even a day.
I'll probably give Open AI's Codex a try soon, and also circle back to Aider after not using it for a few months.
I don't know if I misundersand something with Cursor or Copilot. It seems so much easier to use Claude Code than Cursor, as Claude Code has many more tools for figuring things out. Cursor also required me to add files to the context, which I thought it should 'figure out' on its own.
coolcase
Still on codeium lol! Might give aider another spin. It is never been quite good for my needs but tech evolves.
Alifatisk
Trae.ai actually, otherwise Windsurf
fastball
For the agentic stuff I think every solution can be hit or miss. I've tried claude code, aider, cline, cursor, zed, roo, windsurf, etc. To me it is more about using the right models for the job, which is also constantly in flux because the big players are constantly updating their models and sometimes that is good and sometimes that is bad.
But I daily drive Cursor because the main LLM feature I use is tab-complete, and here Cursor blows the competition out of the water. It understands what I want to do next about 95% of the time when I'm in the middle of something, including comprehensive multi-line/multi-file changes. Github Copilot, Zed, Windsurf, and Cody aren't at the same level imo.
speedgoose
I’m using Github Copilot in VScode Insiders, mostly because I don’t want yet another subscription. I guess I’m missing out.
chrisvalleybay
Cursor has for me had the best UX and results until now. Trae's way of adding context is way too annoying. Windsurf has minor UI-issues all over. Options that are extensions in VSCode do not cut it in turn of providing fantastic UI/UX because of the API not supporting it.
pinoy420
[dead]
erenst
I’ve been using Zed Agent with GitHub Copilot’s models, but with GitHub planning to limit usage, I’m exploring alternatives.
Now I'm testing Claude Code’s $100 Max plan. It feels like magic – editing code and fixing compile errors until it builds. The downside is I’m reviewing the code a lot less since I just let the agent run.
So far, I’ve only tried it on vibe coding game development, where every model I’ve tested struggles. It says “I rewrote X to be more robust and fixed the bug you mentioned,” yet the bug still remains.
I suspect it will work better for backend web development I do for work: write a failing unit test, then ask the agent to implement the feature and make the test pass.
Also, give Zed’s Edit Predictions a try. When refactoring, I often just keep hitting Tab to accept suggestions throughout the file.
LOLwierd
zed!! the base editor is just better then vscode.
and they just released agentic editing.
lemontheme
OP probably means to keep using vscode. Honestly, best thing you can do is just try each for a few weeks. Feature comparison tables only say so much, particularly because the terminology is still in a state of flux.
I’ve personally never felt at home in vscode. If you’re open to switching, definitely check out Zed, as others are suggesting.
dvtfl
If you don't mind not having DAP and Windows support, then Zed is great.
retinaros
I am using both. Windsurf feels complete less clunky. They are very close tho and the pace of major updates is crazy.
I dont like CLI based tools to code. Dont understand why they are being shilled. Claude code is maybe better at coding from scratch because it is only raw power and eating tokens like there is no tomorrow but it us the wrong interface to build anything serious.
Artgor
Claude Code.
And… Junie in Jetbrains IDE. It appeared recently and I'm really impressed by its quality. I think it is on the level of Claude Code.
pembrook
For a time windsurf was way ahead of cursor in full agentic coding, but now I hear cursor has caught up. I have yet to switch back to try out cursor again but starting to get frustrated with Windsurf being restricted to gathering context only 100-200 lines at a time.
So many of the bugs and poor results that it can introduce are simply due to improper context. When forcibly giving it the necessary context you can clearly see it’s not a model problem but it’s a problem with the approach of gathering disparate 100 line snippets at a time.
Also, it struggles with files over 800ish lines which is extremely annoying
We need some smart deepseek-like innovation in context gathering since the hardware and cost of tokens is the real bottleneck here.
hliyan
I think with the answer, each responder should include their level of coding proficiency. Or, at least whether they are able to (or even bother to) read the code that the tool generates. Preferences would vary wildly based on it.
killerstorm
Cursor: Autocomplete is really good. At a time when I compared them, it was without a doubt better than Githib Copilot autocomplete. Cmd-K – insert/edit snippet at cursor – is good when you use good old Sonnet 3.5. ;;; Agent mode, is, honestly, quite disappointing; it doesn't feel like they put a lot of thought into prompting and wrapping LLM calls. Sometimes it just fails to submit code changes. Which is especially bad as they charge you for every request. Also I think they over-charge for Gemini, and Gemini integration is especially poor.
My reference for agent mode is Claude Code. It's far from perfect, but it uses sub-tasks and summarization using smaller haiku model. That feels way more like a coherent solution compared to Cursor. Also Aider ain't bad when you're OK with more manual process.
Windsurf: Have only used it briefly, but agent mode seems somewhat better thought out. For example, they present possible next steps as buttons. Some reviews say it's even more expensive than Cursor in agent mode.
powerapple
I tested windsurf last week, it installed all dependencies to my global python….it didn't know best practices for Python, and didn't create any virtual env….. I am disappointed. My Cursor experience was slightly better. Still, one issue I had was how to make sure it does not change the part of code I don't want it to change. Every time you ask it to do something for A, it rewrote B in the process, very annoying.
My best experience so far is v0.dev :)
karbon0x
Claude Code
outside1234
VSCode with Github Copilot!
dkaleta
Since this topic is closely related to my new project, I’d love to hear your opinion on it.
I’m thinking of building an AI IDE that helps engineers write production quality code quickly when working with AI. The core idea is to introduce a new kind of collaboration workflow.
You start with the same kind of prompt, like “I want to build this feature…”, but instead of the model making changes right away, it proposes an architecture for what it plans to do, shown from a bird’s-eye view in the 2D canvas.
You collaborate with the AI on this architecture to ensure everything is built the way you want. You’re setting up data flows, structure, and validation checks. Once you’re satisfied with the design, you hit play, and the model writes the code.
Website (in progress): https://skylinevision.ai
YC Video showing prototype that I just finished yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXlHNJPQRtk
Karpathy’s post that talks about this:
https://x.com/karpathy/status/1917920257257459899
Thoughts? Do you think this workflow has a chance of being adopted?
ReDeiPirati
Recently started using Cursor for adding a new feature on a small codebase for work, after a couple of years where I didn't code. It took me a couple of tries to figure out how to work with the tool effectively, but it worked great! I'm now learning how to use it with TaskMaster, it's such a different way to do and play with software. Oh, one important note: I went with Cursor also because of the pricing, that's despite confusing in term of fast vs slow requests, it smells less consumption base.
BTW There's a new OSS competitor in town that got the front a couple of days ago – Void: Open-source Cursor alternative https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43927926
abeyer
vi
monster_truck
Void. I'd rather run my own models locally https://voideditor.com/
dhruv3006
cursor.
tacker2000
hijacking this thread: Whats the best AI tool for NeoVim ?
taherchhabra
Claude code is the best so far, I am using the 200$ plan. in terms of feature matrix all tools are almost same with some hits and misses but speed is something which claude code wins.
welder
Neither? I'm surprised nobody has said it yet. I turned off AI autocomplete, and sometimes use the chat to debug or generate simple code but only when I prompt it to. Continuous autocomplete is just annoying and slows me down.
anotheryou
Windsurf, no autocomplete.
you should also ask if people acutally used both :)
webprofusion
I just use Copilot (across VS Code, VS etc), it lets you pick the model you want and it's a fixed monthly cost (and there is a free tier). They have most of the core features of these other tools now.
Cursor, Windsurf et al have no "moat" (in startup speak), in that a sufficiently resourced organization (e.g. Microsoft) can just copy anything they do well.
VS code/Copilot has millions of users, cursor etc have hundreds of thousands of users. Google claims to have "hundreds of millions" of users but we can be pretty sure that they are quoting numbers for their search product.
ChocolateGod
I use Windsurf but it's been having ridiculous downtime lately.
I can't use Cursor because I don't use Ubuntu which is what their Linux packages are compiled against and they don't run on my non-Ubuntu distro of choice.
bundie
None
victorbjorklund
I'm with Cursor for the simple reason it is in practice unlimited. Honestly the slow requests after 500 per month are fast enough. Will I stay with Cursor? No, ill switch the second something better comes along.
suninsight
https://nonbios.ai – [Disclosure: I am working on this.]
– We are in public beta and free for now.
– Fully Agentic. Controllable and Transparent. Agent does all the work, but keeps you in the loop. You can take back control anytime and guide it.
– Not an IDE, so don't compete with VSCode forks. Interface is just a chatbox.
– More like Replit – but full stack focussed. You can build backend services.
– Videos are up at youtube.com/@nonbios
unsupp0rted
Asking HN this is like asking which smartphone to use. You'll get suggestions for obscure Linux-based modular phones that weigh 6 kilos and lack a clock app or wifi. But they're better because they're open source or fully configurable or whatever. Or a smartphone that a fellow HNer created in his basement and plans to sell soon.
Cursor and Windsurf are both good, but do what most people do and use Cursor for a month to start with.
khwhahn
I wish your own coding would just be augmented like somebody looking over your shoulder. The problem with the current AI coding is that you don't know your code base anymore. Basically, like somebody helping you figure out stuff faster, update documentation etc.
octocop
Use vim
MangoCoffee
VScode + Github Copilot Pro. $10 per month to try out AI code assist is cheap enough
brahyam
Cursor. Good price, the predictive next edit is great, good enough with big code bases and with the auto mode i dont even spend all my prem requests.
I've tried VScode with copilot a couple of times and its frustrating, you have to point out individual files for edits but project wide requests are a pain.
My only pain is the workflow for developing mobile apps where I have to switch back and forth between Android Studio and Xcode as vscode extensions for mobile are not so good
reynaldi
VS Code with GitHub Copilot works great, though they are usually a little late to add features compared to Cursor or Windsurf. I use the 'Edit' feature the most.
Windsurf I think has more features, but I find it slower compared to others.
Cursor is pretty fast, and I like how it automatically suggests completion even when moving my cursor to a line of code. (Unlike others where you need to 'trigger' it by typing a text first)
Honorable mention: Supermaven. It was the first and fastest AI autocomplete I used. But it's no longer updated since they were acquired by Cursor.
benterix
For daily work – neither. They basically promote the style of work where you end up with mediocre code that you don't fully understand, and with time the situation gets worse.
I get much better result by asking specific question to a model that has huge context (Gemini) and analyzing the generated code carefully. That's the opposite of the style of work you get with Cursor or Windsurf.
Is it less efficient? If you are paid by LoCs, sure. But for me the quality and long-term maintainability are far more important. And especially the Tab autocomplete feature was driving me nuts, being wrong roughly half of the time and basically just interrupting my flow.
Daedren
Considering Microsoft is closing down on the ecosystem, I'd pick VSCode with Copilot over those two.
It's a matter of time before they're shuttered or their experience gets far worse.
admiralrohan
Using Windsurf since the start and I am satisfied. Didn't look beyond it. Focused on actually doing the coding. It's impossible to keep up with daily AI news and if something groundbreaking happens it will go viral.
jonwinstanley
Has anyone had any joy using a local model? Or is it still too slow?
On something like a M4 Macbook Pro can local models replace the connection to OpenAi/Anthropic?
kioku
It might seem contrary to the current trend, but I've recently returned to using nvim as my daily driver after years with VS Code. This shift wasn't due to resource limitations but rather the unnecessary strain from agentic features consuming high amounts of resources.
whywhywhywhy
Cursor is good for basic stuff but Windsurf consistently solves issues Cursor fails on even after 40+ mins of retries and prompting changes.
Cursor is very lazy about looking beyond the current context or even context at all sometimes it feels it’s trying to one shot a guess without looking deeper.
Bad thing about Windsurf is the plans are pretty limited and the unlimited “cascade base” feels dumb the times I used it so ultimately I use Cursor until I hit a wall then switch to Windsurf.
warthog
Windsurf – the repo code awareness is much higher than Cursor.
deafpolygon
I use neovim now, after getting tired of the feature creep and the constant chasing of shiny new features.
AI is not useful when it does the thinking for you. It's just advanced snippets at that point. I only use LLMs to explain things or to clarify a topic that doesn't make sense right away to me. That's when it shows it's real strength.
sing AI for autocomplete? I turn it off.
weiwenhao
tab completed is a nightmare when it comes to non-expected code.
n_ary
I agree with /u/welder. Preferably neither. Both of these are custom and runs the risk of being acquired and enshittified in future.
If you are using VScode, get familiar with cline. Aider is also excellent if you don’t want to modify your IDE.
Additionally, Jetbrains IDEs now also have built-in local LLMs and their auto-complete is actually fast and decent. They also have added a new chat sidepanel in recent update.
The goal is NOT to change your workflow or dev env, but to integrate these tools into your existing flow, despite what the narrative says.