Cursor
Cappy’s Quick Take
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | An AI code editor with a powerful coding agent, now sold through The X Subscription |
| Pricing | Freemium · Plus $8/month · Premium $30/month · Super $100/month · Ultra $200/month |
| Free plan | Yes, a free plan with a limited allowance |
| Works with | Windows, Mac and Linux, with VS Code extensions and GitHub |
| Best for | Developers who want an AI-first code editor with strong agents |
| Cappy Score | 4.3/5 |
What is Cursor?
Cursor is an AI code editor built on VS Code. It can autocomplete code, answer questions about your codebase, and run an agent that edits many files, runs commands and fixes errors for you.
Cursor’s pricing changed a lot in 2026. SpaceX bought Cursor, and since October 12, 2026, new customers buy it through The X Subscription, which also includes Grok and X Premium perks.
The cheapest paid plan, Plus, only runs Grok models. Third-party models such as Claude, GPT and Gemini start on Premium and are billed on top at API list prices from prepaid credit.
Key features
- Coding agent: edit many files, run commands and fix errors.
- Tab autocomplete: predicts your next edits as you type.
- Codebase chat: ask questions about your whole project.
- Cloud agents: run agents in the background (Premium and up).
- Bugbot: AI code reviews on pull requests (Premium and up).
- VS Code compatible: use your existing extensions and settings.
Pricing plans
| Plan | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Trying Cursor with a limited allowance |
| Plus | $8/month | Light use of Cursor’s own and Grok models only |
| Premium | $30/month | Most developers, with 4x Plus usage, cloud agents and third-party models at API prices |
| Super | $100/month | Daily agent users, with 15x Plus usage |
| Ultra | $200/month | Power users, with 50x Plus usage |
| Teams | From $30/user/month | Teams needing SSO, admin and analytics |
Which plan should you pick? Start on Free. Cursor itself recommends Premium for most new users, since Plus only runs Grok models. Budget extra if you want Claude or GPT, because those are billed on top at API prices.
Cursor free plan: what you get
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $0 |
| Usage | Limited allowance |
| Third-party models | Paid plans (Premium and up) |
| Old Pro plan | Kept only by existing subscribers |
The catch: The new plans no longer include Claude, GPT or Gemini usage. On Premium and above you pay for those models separately at API list prices, so your real cost can be well above the plan price.
Who is Cursor for?
- Developers: code faster with an AI-first editor.
- Startups: ship features quickly with agents.
- Engineering teams: standardize on one AI editor.
- VS Code users: switch without losing extensions.
Consider something else if you want one predictable price that includes Claude or GPT, or you’d rather keep your current editor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Powerful multi-file coding agent
- Familiar VS Code experience
- Free plan to start
- Cloud agents and AI code reviews
Cons
- Pricing changed sharply in October 2026
- Plus only runs Grok models
- Third-party models cost extra at API prices
- Many guides still show old Pro pricing
Cursor alternatives
| Tool | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | Works in your current editor from $10 a month |
| Claude Code | Agentic coding in your terminal and IDE |
| OpenAI Codex | Coding agent included with ChatGPT plans |
| Windsurf (Devin Desktop) | AI editor with daily quotas from $20 |
How to get started with Cursor
- Download Cursor from cursor.com.
- Import your VS Code settings and open a project.
- Ask the agent to make a change or explain code.
- Upgrade to Premium if you need more usage or other models.
Tip: If you’re an existing Pro subscriber, check whether keeping your legacy plan is cheaper than moving to the new plans.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cursor free?
Yes. Cursor has a free plan with a limited allowance, and no credit card is needed.
How much does Cursor cost now?
New customers choose Plus at $8, Premium at $30, Super at $100 or Ultra at $200 a month. Teams start at $30 per user.
What happened to Cursor Pro?
Since October 12, 2026, Pro is a legacy plan kept only by existing subscribers. Cursor maps it to the new Premium plan.
Does Cursor include Claude and GPT?
On Premium and above you can use them, but they’re billed separately at API list prices. Plus only runs Grok models.