Trae vs Windsurf
Trae and Windsurf 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 | Trae | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | ByteDance | Cognition |
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.5 |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Desktop |
| Key features | VS Code-compatible editor, Agentic multi-file coding, Builder mode from prompt to app | Cascade AI agent, AI code completion, Code chat |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA / Beijing, China | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2025 | 2024 |
| Open source | No | No |
Key differences
- Windsurf has a higher user rating (4.5★ vs 4.3★).
- Both Trae and Windsurf use a Freemium model.
- Trae runs on Windows, macOS; Windsurf runs on Desktop.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trae or Windsurf better?
By user rating, Windsurf scores higher (4.5★ vs 4.3★). Both are capable Code Generation tools, so review the feature comparison for your use case.
Which is cheaper, Trae or Windsurf?
Both Trae and Windsurf use a Freemium pricing model.
Are Trae and Windsurf open source?
No — neither Trae nor Windsurf is open source.