Continue.dev
code completion
VS
Cursor
code editor
Continue.dev vs Cursor: Which Should You Pick?
Compare Continue.dev and Cursor side by side: pricing, features, pros and cons. Interactive cost calculator included.
Pricing Comparison
| Aspect | Continue.dev | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Tiers | Free (Open Source): $0 (BYOK) | Free: $0/mo, Pro: $20/mo, Business: Custom |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Category | Code Completion | Code Editor |
| Our Rating | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
Cost Calculator
Estimate Your Monthly Cost
15h/week
Continue.dev
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Cursor
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Continue.dev: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Deep IDE integration in VS Code and JetBrains
- Complete model flexibility — cloud or local LLMs
- Strong context awareness across files and project structure
- Customizable prompts and workflow recipes
Weaknesses
- Initial setup complexity for local models
- Performance depends heavily on chosen LLM backend
- Learning curve for advanced customization and templates
- Occasional minor UI glitches as an evolving project
Cursor: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Deep, uninterrupted AI integration directly in the editor
- Strong codebase-wide context awareness across multiple files
- Efficient in-line editing and refactoring with clear diff views
- Flexible model selection with personal API key support
Weaknesses
- Higher CPU and memory usage than vanilla VS Code
- Cost management between subscription and API fees can be complex
- AI can hallucinate incorrect solutions or suggest suboptimal code
- Privacy concerns for sensitive codebases sent to third-party LLMs
The Verdict
Our Take
Continue.dev: Best open-source AI coding assistant with unmatched model flexibility — ideal for privacy-conscious developers who want full control over their AI backend.
Cursor: Best AI code editor for developers who want deep codebase integration and are willing to adapt their workflow around AI-first development.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Continue.dev or Cursor?
both cost the same at entry level. Continue.dev starts at free. Cursor starts at free. Use the cost calculator above to estimate based on your usage.
Can I use Continue.dev and Cursor together?
Yes. Continue.dev is a code completion while Cursor is a code editor.
Which has a free tier?
Both offer free tiers.