Zed vs Windsurf: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Zed and Windsurf comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Zed
High-performance code editor
Best for you if:
- • Zed is a high-performance code editor built in Rust
- • It provides real-time collaboration with native performance
Windsurf
The AI-native code editor
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • An AI-native IDE with an agentic AI (Cascade) for deep codebase understanding and real-time assistance.
- • Offers generative code, live previews, and intelligent refactoring to streamline development workflows.
| At a Glance |  Zed |  Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 84/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Zed | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsVersion Control | IDE & Code EditorsCode Review |
How Zed and Windsurf Compare
Zed
High-performance code editor
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Windsurf
The AI-native code editor
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Zed
Want the highest-rated option?
Zed: 84/100. Windsurf: 85/100.
Go with: Windsurf
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Windsurf
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Windsurf scores higher: 85/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Windsurf
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Zed
The Bottom Line
Windsurf (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zed or Windsurf better?
Windsurf scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Zed and Windsurf used for?
Zed: High-performance code editor. Windsurf: The AI-native code editor.
What does Zed cost vs Windsurf?
Zed is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Windsurf is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.