Cursor vs Zed
Cursor is the AI-first editor: built on the VS Code codebase, with Tab completions, its own agent, an Agents Window, cloud agents, and Bugbot reviews. Zed is an open-source editor written in Rust, with real-time multiplayer editing, agent threads, and external agents such as Claude Agent and Codex over ACP. Choose Cursor if you want AI woven through a familiar VS Code-style editor; choose Zed for an open-source, collaborative editor that leaves the agent choice to you. To run several agents in parallel on one repository, use either one as the editor for Agentastic worktrees.
Who should choose each option#
Cursor
Choose Cursor for a VS Code-style editor with Tab completions, its own agents and models, and Bugbot code review.
Zed
Choose Zed for an open-source Rust editor with multiplayer editing, and agent threads that can run Claude Agent, Codex, or other ACP agents with your own keys.
Feature comparison#
| Feature | Cursor | Zed |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation | Built on the VS Code codebase | Open-source editor written in Rust |
| AI focus | Cursor's agent, Tab, the Agents Window, and cloud agents | Agent Panel with parallel threads, edit predictions, and external agents |
| External agents | Cursor's agent with a choice of models | Claude Agent, Codex, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Copilot, and others over ACP |
| Parallel isolation | Worktrees from the Agents Window | Optional worktree per thread |
| Collaboration | Teams plan with shared rules, billing, and admin | Multiplayer editing, channels, and voice chat |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux; iOS app | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Pricing | Hobby free; Pro $20/mo | Personal free; Pro $10/mo |
Pricing#
Cursor
Hobby is free; Pro is $20 a month, Pro+ $60, and Ultra $200; Teams is $40 per user per month.
Zed
Personal is free and works with your own API keys or external agents; Pro is $10 a month; Business is $30 per seat per month.
Using them together#
Open Cursor or Zed from Agentastic's Open in button for any worktree, run several agents in parallel, and review their diffs in Agentastic's diff viewer.
Frequently asked questions#
Zed vs Cursor: what is the main difference?
Cursor builds AI into a VS Code-based editor around its own agent and Tab completions. Zed is a separate, open-source editor written in Rust that Zed Industries positions around performance and multiplayer editing, and it lets you bring external agents and your own API keys.
Does Zed have an agent mode like Cursor?
Yes. Zed's Agent Panel runs several agent threads at once, can isolate a thread in a git worktree, and can host external agents such as Claude Agent and Codex (parallel agents). Cursor's agent is built in, with the Agents Window for parallel work and cloud agents.
Is Zed free?
Zed's Personal plan is free and works with your own API keys or external agents; Pro is $10 a month for Zed-hosted models (pricing). Cursor's Hobby plan is free with limited agent requests, and Pro is $20 a month (pricing).
Can I use my VS Code extensions?
In Cursor, yes: it is built on the VS Code codebase and can import your VS Code setup. Zed has its own extension system.
Zed vs VS Code: which should I use?
Pick VS Code if you rely on its extension marketplace; pick Zed if you want an open-source editor with built-in multiplayer. Both work as the editor for Agentastic worktrees; see Agentastic vs VS Code and Agentastic vs Zed.
Can I run multiple agents with Cursor or Zed?
Both run several agents in parallel inside the editor. To run agents from different vendors side by side, each in its own worktree or container with review passes, use Agentastic and open any worktree in Cursor or Zed.
Further reading#
Cursor, Zed, VS Code, and more for Claude Code users
where both of these are headed
native versus web-rendered editors, measured
See also#
Compare Agentastic and Zed for parallel coding agents: worktrees, external CLI agents, review, and pricing. Use Zed as the editor for Agentastic worktrees.
Agentastic runs 53 CLI agents side by side in isolated worktrees on macOS. Cursor is an AI code editor with Tab, its own agents, and cloud runs. Compare them.
Cursor and Windsurf, now Devin Desktop, are AI IDEs that added agent command centers. Compare agents, worktrees, review, platforms, and pricing in 2026.
Agentastic runs 53 CLI agents in parallel worktrees on macOS. VS Code is the cross-platform editor where Copilot, Claude, and Codex agents run in sessions.
Xcode now runs coding agents like Claude Agent and Codex inside Apple's IDE. Agentastic runs 53 CLI agents in parallel worktrees on any repository.