Windsurf vs Zed
Windsurf 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 | Windsurf | Zed |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Cognition | Zed Industries |
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.6 |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | Desktop | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Key features | Cascade AI agent, AI code completion, Code chat | Rust-native performance, Agentic editing panel, Inline AI transformations |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Boulder, USA |
| Founded | 2024 | 2021 |
| Open source | No | Yes |
Key differences
- Zed has a higher user rating (4.6★ vs 4.5★).
- Both Windsurf and Zed use a Freemium model.
- Zed is open source (its code is public), while Windsurf is proprietary.
- Windsurf runs on Desktop; Zed runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windsurf or Zed better?
By user rating, Zed scores higher (4.6★ vs 4.5★). Both are capable Code Generation tools, so review the feature comparison for your use case.
Which is cheaper, Windsurf or Zed?
Both Windsurf and Zed use a Freemium pricing model.
Are Windsurf and Zed open source?
Zed is open source, while Windsurf is proprietary.