Zed vs Cursor
An open-source, Rust-native editor with a built-in agent versus a proprietary AI-first VS Code fork.
Updated August 28, 2026 · Independent comparison — Zed, Cursor are separate products.
Zed
Fast open-source editor with a built-in AI agent
Zed is a fast, open-source (GPL-3.0) code editor written in Rust, with a built-in AI agent panel. It is bring-your-own-key across Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google, supports local models via Ollama, and — through the open Agent Client Protocol (ACP) it co-developed with JetBrains — can run external agents like Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and OpenCode natively inside the editor. Its Parallel Agents feature runs multiple agents at once, each on its own thread and model, and it ships built-in real-time collaboration. Zed is free to use; Zed Pro is $10/month (unlimited edit predictions plus $5 of hosted tokens) and Business is $30/seat/month.
Cursor
Proprietary AI-first code editor
Cursor is a proprietary AI-first code editor — a fork of VS Code — built around an agent mode, Tab autocomplete, and Auto model routing. It offers frontier models from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google alongside Cursor's own models, MCP support, background agents, and multi-file edits. Pricing runs from a free Hobby tier to Pro at $20/month, Pro+ at $60/month, Ultra at $200/month, and Teams at $40/user/month. Cursor is closed source and, unlike Zed, is not an editor you can inspect or self-build.
Bottom line
An open-source, Rust-native editor with a built-in agent versus a proprietary AI-first VS Code fork. Choose Zed if you want a fast, open-source (GPL-3.0) native editor, not an Electron fork; choose Cursor if you want the most polished Tab autocomplete and agent experience in a familiar VS Code UI.
Pricing & Plans
| Feature | Zed | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Free (2,000 edit predictions/mo) | Free (Hobby) |
| Entry paid plan | Pro $10/month | Pro $20/month |
| Higher tiers | Business $30/seat/month | Pro+ $60/mo (3x) · Ultra $200/mo (20x) |
| Team plan | Business $30/seat/month | Standard $40 · Premium $120/user/month |
| Included tokens | ~$5/mo on Pro (BYOK otherwise) | Model-credit pool per plan; overage billed in arrears |
Models & Providers
| Feature | Zed | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Model access | BYOK (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google) | Cursor's own + third-party frontier models |
| First-party models | Zeta (edit prediction) | Auto / Composer / Grok 4.6 |
| BYOK third-party models | Yes (free) | Yes, but +$0.25/Mtok Cursor Token Rate |
| Local models (Ollama) | ✓ | ✗ |
| External CLI agents (ACP) | Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, OpenCode | ✗ |
| In-session model switching | ✓ | ✓ |
Agent Experience
| Feature | Zed | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| AI interface | Agent panel in editor | Agent mode in editor |
| Parallel agents | ✓ | Background agents |
| Run external agents natively | Yes (ACP) | ✗ |
| MCP support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Inline autocomplete | Edit predictions | Tab completion |
| Review / permissions | Diff review | Diff review + approvals |
Developer Workflow
| Feature | Zed | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Editor base | Native (Rust) | VS Code fork |
| Performance focus | High (Rust, GPU-accelerated) | Standard (Electron / VS Code) |
| Extensions | Zed extensions | VS Code-compatible extensions |
| Beyond the editor | Hosts external CLI agents (ACP) | IDE, CLI, SDK, iOS, cloud agents |
| Multi-file edits | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time collaboration | Built-in | Not built-in |
Platforms & Openness
| Feature | Zed | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Client license | Open source (GPL-3.0) | Proprietary (closed source) |
| Local OS support | macOS, Linux (Windows in preview) | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Source availability | Public on GitHub | Closed |
| Standout feature | Bring your own agent (ACP) + Rust speed + parallel agents | Rent Cursor's agent + Tab autocomplete + polished UX |
| Vendor lock-in | Low (BYOK, open) | Higher (Cursor account + credits) |
The Verdict
Choose Zed if...
- ✓You want a fast, open-source (GPL-3.0) native editor, not an Electron fork.
- ✓You want to bring your own keys and run local models via Ollama.
- ✓You want to run external CLI agents (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, OpenCode) natively via ACP.
- ✓You want parallel agents and built-in real-time collaboration.
- ✓You prefer low lock-in and predictable, low-cost pricing.
Choose Cursor if...
- ✓You want the most polished Tab autocomplete and agent experience in a familiar VS Code UI.
- ✓You want frontier models plus Cursor's own models with Auto routing.
- ✓You rely on background agents and a large ecosystem of VS Code extensions.
- ✓You want a single managed plan (Pro / Pro+ / Ultra) rather than wiring up your own keys.
- ✓You are on Windows, macOS, or Linux and want a turnkey AI editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Zed and Cursor?
Zed is a fast, open-source (GPL-3.0) code editor written in Rust, with a built-in AI agent panel. Cursor is a proprietary AI-first code editor — a fork of VS Code — built around an agent mode, Tab autocomplete, and Auto model routing.
How much do Zed and Cursor cost?
Zed: Pro $10/month. Cursor: Pro $20/month. See the pricing table above for full plan details.
Should I choose Zed or Cursor?
Choose Zed if you want a fast, open-source (GPL-3.0) native editor, not an Electron fork. Choose Cursor if you want the most polished Tab autocomplete and agent experience in a familiar VS Code UI.
1DevToolPrefer agents in the terminal?
Zed and Cursor put the agent inside a full editor. 1DevTool takes the opposite approach: a lightweight workspace that runs CLI agents — Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini and Antigravity CLI, Cline, OpenCode, and Aider — side by side in persistent terminals, with a built-in HTTP client, 13-engine database client, and embedded browser wired into Send-to-AI. Keep your editor of choice and bring your own keys. One-time $29, no subscription.