Cursor vs Zed
Cursor and Zed are both Code Generation tools in our directory. This side-by-side comparison covers pricing, user ratings, supported platforms, key features and open-source status so you can decide which one fits your needs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Cursor | Zed |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Cursor | Zed Industries |
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.6 |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | Desktop | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Key features | AI code generation, Code explanation, Smart completion | Rust-native performance, Agentic editing panel, Inline AI transformations |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Boulder, USA |
| Founded | 2023 | 2021 |
| Open source | No | Yes |
Key differences
- Cursor has a higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★).
- Both Cursor and Zed use a Freemium model.
- Zed is open source (its code is public), while Cursor is proprietary.
- Cursor runs on Desktop; Zed runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cursor or Zed better?
By user rating, Cursor scores higher (4.8★ vs 4.6★). Both are capable Code Generation tools, so review the feature comparison for your use case.
Which is cheaper, Cursor or Zed?
Both Cursor and Zed use a Freemium pricing model.
Are Cursor and Zed open source?
Zed is open source, while Cursor is proprietary.