IntelliJ IDEA vs Windsurf 2.0: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for IntelliJ IDEA and Windsurf 2.0 side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
IntelliJ IDEA
The capable & ergonomic Java IDE
Best for you if:
- • You want best Java IDE
Windsurf 2.0
The most intuitive AI coding experience, built to keep you and your team in flow.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly increases developer productivity by automating repetitive tasks
| At a Glance | IntelliJ IDEA | Windsurf 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $599/year Ultimate plan | Free plan, paid from $20/mo, billed monthly Pro plan |
Category | IDE & Code Editors Developer Tools | Developer Tools AI Coding |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.7 3,653 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Plugin ecosystem is free, but some premium plugins (Database Tools, AI Assistant Pro) are bundled only with Ultimate | n/a |
Choose IntelliJ IDEA or Windsurf 2.0?
Choose IntelliJ IDEA if
- You want best Java IDE
- You want smart completions
- You work in IDE & code editors, not developer tools
Choose Windsurf 2.0 if
- You want significantly increases developer productivity by automating repetitive tasks
- You want provides deep contextual understanding of codebases for relevant AI suggestions
- You work in developer tools, not IDE & code editors
In-Depth Analysis
IntelliJ IDEA
The capable & ergonomic Java IDE
IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is the best free Java IDE available, it covers core Java, Kotlin, Gradle, and Maven with full refactoring support.
Watch out
Plugin ecosystem is free, but some premium plugins (Database Tools, AI Assistant Pro) are bundled only with Ultimate
Strengths
- Pro: Best Java IDE
- Pro: Smart completions
- Pro: Refactoring tools
Weaknesses
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Expensive Ultimate
Key features
Windsurf 2.0
The most intuitive AI coding experience, built to keep you and your team in flow.
Windsurf 2.0 offers a fair pricing structure, especially with its generous Free tier for light usage.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly increases developer productivity by automating repetitive tasks.
- Pro: Provides deep contextual understanding of codebases for relevant AI suggestions.
- Pro: Seamlessly integrates AI into the development workflow, maintaining developer flow state.
- Pro: Supports a wide range of integrations with popular development tools and services.
- Pro: Offers a free tier for individual users to experience core features.
Weaknesses
- Con: Reliance on AI for a high percentage of code might reduce direct coding practice for some developers.
- Con: The "Turbo Mode" feature, while efficient, could potentially execute unintended commands if not carefully monitored.
Key features
Plans and prices: IntelliJ IDEA vs Windsurf 2.0
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IntelliJ IDEA |
| jetbrains.com/idea read Sep 30, 2026 |
| Windsurf 2.0 |
| windsurf.com/pricing read Oct 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on IntelliJ IDEA pricing and Windsurf 2.0 pricing.
Key Takeaways
IntelliJ IDEA
- Choose if you want the capable & ergonomic Java IDE
Windsurf 2.0
- Choose if you want the most intuitive AI coding experience, built to keep you and your team in flow
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only IntelliJ IDEA has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 3,653 reviews); Windsurf 2.0 has none we can show.
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: IntelliJ IDEA $599/year; Windsurf 2.0 $20/mo, billed monthly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do IntelliJ IDEA and Windsurf 2.0 compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only IntelliJ IDEA has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 3,653 reviews); Windsurf 2.0 has none we can show. Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: IntelliJ IDEA $599/year; Windsurf 2.0 $20/mo, billed monthly. Both have a free plan.
What are IntelliJ IDEA and Windsurf 2.0 used for?
IntelliJ IDEA: The capable & ergonomic Java IDE. Windsurf 2.0: The most intuitive AI coding experience, built to keep you and your team in flow.
What does IntelliJ IDEA cost vs Windsurf 2.0?
IntelliJ IDEA's cheapest paid plan is Ultimate at $599/year; it also has a free plan. Windsurf 2.0's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $20/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between IntelliJ IDEA and Windsurf 2.0?
IntelliJ IDEA's main strength: best Java IDE. Windsurf 2.0's main strength: significantly increases developer productivity by automating repetitive tasks.