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Cursor vs Zed: Which Is Better in 2025?

Written byNatalie Chen
December 5, 2025
5 min read
Updated Dec 7, 2025

Compare Cursor and Zed to find the best option for your needs.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

See how they stack up against each other

FeatureCursorZed
Pricing
Monthly starting price
20.0/5
0.0/5
Free Plan
Free tier availability
5.0/5
5.0/5
Overall Rating
User satisfaction
4.6/5
4.5/5

Overview

Cursor and Zed are both popular tools in the Code Editors & IDEs space. This comparison helps you decide which one is right for your needs.

Quick Comparison

FeatureCursorZed
Starting Price$20/mo$Free/mo
Free PlanYesYes
Rating4.6/54.5/5

Key Features

Cursor

AI-first code editor

  • AI-native
  • VS Code compatible
  • Great autocomplete

Zed

High-performance code editor

  • Ultra fast
  • Multiplayer
  • Modern UI

Who Should Choose Cursor?

Cursor is best for: Developers, AI enthusiasts, Startups.

Who Should Choose Zed?

Zed is best for: Developers, Performance seekers, Pair programmers.

The Verdict

Both Cursor and Zed are excellent choices. Your decision should be based on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

Choose Cursor if you:

  • Developers
  • AI enthusiasts
  • Startups

Choose Zed if you:

  • Developers
  • Performance seekers
  • Pair programmers

The Verdict

The best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.