Two Editors, One Big Question
Visual Studio Code has been the dominant code editor for years — loved by millions for its speed, extensibility, and free price tag. But Cursor, a newer AI-native editor built on VS Code's foundation, has been turning heads with its deep AI integration. If you're choosing between them, here's what you need to know.
What Is VS Code?
VS Code (Visual Studio Code) is an open-source code editor from Microsoft. It supports virtually every programming language, has a massive extension marketplace, and is highly customizable. It's the baseline that most developers consider the default choice.
What Is Cursor?
Cursor is a code editor built on top of VS Code — it looks and feels nearly identical — but with AI features built natively into the editing experience. It uses large language models to help you write, edit, and understand code through natural language commands, inline suggestions, and a built-in chat interface.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | VS Code | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Original Microsoft product | Fork of VS Code |
| AI Features | Via GitHub Copilot extension (paid) | Built-in, central to the experience |
| Price | Free (Copilot adds ~$10/month) | Free tier + paid plans from ~$20/month |
| Extension Compatibility | Full VS Code extensions | Most VS Code extensions work |
| Performance | Very fast, low resource use | Slightly heavier due to AI features |
| Privacy | Code shared with Copilot for AI | Code sent to AI models; privacy mode available |
| AI Chat | Limited (Copilot Chat extension) | Native, context-aware, deeply integrated |
Where VS Code Excels
- Stability and maturity: Years of refinement, regular updates, and a massive community.
- Extension ecosystem: Tens of thousands of extensions covering every niche.
- Performance: Lightweight, fast startup, handles large projects cleanly.
- Control: You choose exactly which AI tools (if any) you add.
- Open source: Fully transparent codebase.
Where Cursor Excels
- AI-first editing: The "Cmd+K" inline edit command lets you refactor, fix, or generate code with a prompt — no copy-pasting to ChatGPT.
- Codebase context: Cursor can reference your entire project when answering questions, not just the open file.
- Natural language edits: Describe what you want changed; Cursor writes the diff for your review.
- Speed for AI workflows: Reduces the friction of switching between your editor and an AI chat window.
Who Should Use VS Code?
VS Code remains the right choice if you want a stable, proven, lightweight editor; if you work in environments with strict code privacy requirements; or if you prefer to control your AI setup through specific extensions like GitHub Copilot.
Who Should Use Cursor?
Cursor is a strong fit for developers who lean on AI assistance regularly and want that workflow to be seamless. If you find yourself frequently asking AI tools to explain, refactor, or generate code, Cursor removes a lot of friction. The free tier is generous enough to evaluate whether it changes your workflow.
The Verdict
This isn't an either/or decision you have to make forever. Both editors are free to install. Spend a week with each and see which one feels natural. For developers who haven't yet integrated AI into their daily coding practice, VS Code is still the reliable default. For those ready to go AI-native, Cursor offers a genuinely differentiated experience.