Windsurf alternatives: 6 free & open-source picks
Compare recorded free and open-source options, their capabilities and operating requirements. Source dates are shown below; licenses, hosted limits and project activity can change.
A fast local coding agent with no loyalty to any model vendor.
licenseMIT
runson your machine
installInstall script, Homebrew or npm
enginesDozens of providers through AI SDK and Models.dev, including hosted APIs and local OpenAI-compatible or Ollama-style backends
dataSource files stay local; credentials are stored under the user's OpenCode data directory and configuration under the config directory, while prompts and context go to the selected provider
the catch vs WindsurfIt is terminal-first and gives up Windsurf's graphical editor, inline completion and visual multi-file patch review.
setupTerminal comfort and a provider API key or local model server are required
facts verified 2026-08-10
A fast open editor with agents built in, not a VS Code costume.
licenseGPL-3.0+
runson your machine
installDirect desktop download, Homebrew, winget or install script
enginesZed-hosted models, provider API keys or subscriptions, OpenRouter, Vercel AI Gateway, Bedrock, Ollama, LM Studio, OpenAI-compatible local servers and external ACP agents
dataSource files stay local; provider keys use the system keychain, while AI prompts and code context go to the selected provider or local model
the catch vs WindsurfIt requires moving to a different editor and is less centered on Windsurf's reviewed multi-file patch and Cascade-style workflow.
setupEditor installation is clean; AI needs a Zed account, provider subscription or key, gateway, or local model, and platform hardware support varies
facts verified 2026-08-10
A code agent in your editor; the model bill is still yours.
licenseApache-2.0
runson your machine
installVS Code or JetBrains extension, or npm-installed CLI
enginesAnthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, Bedrock, Azure, Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, Ollama, LM Studio and OpenAI-compatible endpoints
dataCode stays in the working repository and task data is stored locally; prompts and selected code context go to the chosen provider unless a local backend is used
the catch vs WindsurfIts approval-heavy extension workflow is less seamless than Windsurf's editor-native autocomplete and reviewed multi-file patch experience.
setupSign in for Cline inference, bring an API key, or run and configure a local model
facts verified 2026-08-10
A desktop agent that edits and runs code without pretending the model is free.
licenseApache-2.0
runson your machine
installDesktop installer or curl-installed CLI
enginesAnthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter, Azure, Bedrock and other providers; ACP can use supported model subscriptions
dataCode and files stay local; sessions and configuration are stored in Goose application data, while prompts and context go to the selected provider unless local
the catch vs WindsurfIt lacks Windsurf's full editor, inline completion and graphical patch-review workflow.
setupA provider subscription, API key or local model must be connected before the agent can work
facts verified 2026-08-10
It edits the repo from a terminal and commits its own mess.
licenseApache-2.0
runson your machine
installInstall with aider-install, pipx or uv, then run it inside a Git repository
enginesClaude, OpenAI, DeepSeek, Gemini, open-weight and local models through LiteLLM-compatible providers
dataRepository files and Git commits stay local; optional chat and input history is local, while prompts and repository context go to the selected model provider
the catch vs WindsurfIt is terminal-only, without Windsurf's native editor autocomplete, graphical multi-file patch review and integrated browsing workflow.
setupTerminal use, a Git repository and an API key or local model runtime
facts verified 2026-08-10
One open agent across VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal; inference still has a meter somewhere.
latest recorded source check 2026-08-10 · check current terms at the source
ContinueAcquired by Cursor; the repo is read-only and 2.0.0 is the last release.
RefactThe original repo was archived and Refact Cloud was retired in May 2026.
Roo CodeThe extension shut down and the repo was archived on May 15, 2026.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenCode | MIT | one-click install | cli, macos, windows, linux | 193,678 | 2026-08 |
| Zed | GPL-3.0+ | one-click install | macos, windows, linux | 88,100 | 2026-08 |
| Cline | Apache-2.0 | one-click install | browser-extension, cli, macos, windows, linux | 65,800 | 2026-08 |
| Goose | Apache-2.0 | one-click install | macos, windows, linux, cli | 52,400 | 2026-08 |
| Aider | Apache-2.0 | one-click install | cli, macos, windows, linux | 48,000 | 2026-05 |
| Kilo Code | open source | one-click install | browser-extension, cli, macos, windows, linux | 26,735 | 2026-08 |
People still pay for Windsurf because the UI can be copied, but high-quality code models, context ranking, safe execution, and constant evaluation are the product. The recurring cost buys model changes, indexing, prompt injection, tool permissions, sandboxing, evaluation, telemetry choices, and IDE compatibility, not just the visible interface. The recorded subscription totals $240 a year before any costs of an alternative.
Questions about these alternatives
Is there a free alternative to Windsurf?
Yes: OpenCode, Zed, Cline and 3 more. These are recorded free or open-source options. Compare their feature limits, licenses, hosting costs and current availability before choosing.
Should I just build my own Windsurf?
Our verdict is NOT REALLY. A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Windsurf, build a VS Code extension that proposes and applies reviewed multi-file patches. The hard boundary is proprietary coding models, agent context, ide integration, and hosted inference, plus frontier models, context infrastructure, and execution safety. Review the scope, implementation prompt and trade-offs in the Windsurf build guide.
