Best Cursor Alternative
People look for a Cursor alternative when they want a lighter editor than a VS Code-based Electron app, when they want agents from several vendors on equal footing rather than one editor's agent, or when a Mac workspace built around many terminal agents fits better than an editor.
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What to look for in a Cursor alternative
- A fast editor with the AI features you actually use
- Several agents in parallel, each in its own git worktree
- Agents from more than one vendor, on your own subscriptions
- Pricing that matches how heavily you rely on agents
Recommended options
Agentastic
Our pickNative macOS workspace with 55 built-in agent definitions and a git worktree or container per task. Built-in editor, browser, diff viewer, and AI code review.
Zed
Fast, open-source editor written in Rust for macOS, Linux, and Windows, with parallel agent threads, external agents such as Claude Code and Codex, and real-time collaboration.
VS Code
Microsoft's free, open-source editor, now with built-in agents: run Copilot, Claude, or OpenAI agents locally or in the cloud and track every session in one view.
Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)
Windsurf is now Devin Desktop, Cognition's AI IDE for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It runs local and cloud Devin agents alongside Codex, Claude, and OpenCode.
How to switch from Cursor cleanly
Cursor is based on the VS Code codebase, so your settings, keybindings, and most extensions move to VS Code directly. To keep agents working in parallel, open the same repository in Agentastic: Cursor's own CLI agent is one of its built-in definitions, and the Open In toolbar button sends any worktree back to Cursor, VS Code, or Zed for editing.
Common questions
What is the best Cursor alternative for Mac?
Agentastic, if you want several agents working at once: it runs 55 built-in agent definitions, including Cursor's own CLI, each in its own git worktree inside a native Mac app. If you want another AI editor instead, Zed is the fast open-source option.
Is there a free Cursor alternative?
Yes. VS Code is free and open source and now includes agents, Zed is free with an optional paid plan for hosted models, and Agentastic is free when you bring your own agent subscriptions. Cursor also has a free Hobby tier.
Is there an open-source Cursor alternative?
VS Code and Zed are both open source. Agentastic is free but closed source; it runs open-source agents such as OpenCode and Gemini CLI alongside proprietary ones.
Can I use Claude Code instead of Cursor?
Yes. Many developers keep an editor for hands-on work and run Claude Code in a terminal for delegated tasks. Agentastic runs Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor's CLI side by side, each in its own worktree.