AI coding · replacement recipe

AI code editor

Replaces Windsurf. 3 ways out. Best: Windsurf (free tier) (cheaper plan), about $228 saved in year one.

Modeled, not measured. Savings use public prices and planning assumptions: the bill you stop paying, minus the new tool, your upkeep time and your setup time at $50/hour, over the first 12 months. No verified migrations yet. Check the must-haves in each recipe before you switch.

What you use

  • AI agent (Cascade)
  • Tab autocomplete
  • Frontier model choice

Not covered

  • Cloud agents (Devin)
  • Inline edits
  • Previews and deploys

Check before switching

  • You only rely on: AI agent (Cascade), Tab autocomplete, Frontier model choice
  • Export your data from Windsurf before canceling

Agents: get_recipe("replace-windsurf") on the Stackcut MCP server.

3 ways out, best first

Cheaper planWindsurf (free tier)Saves $228 in year one
$20/mo today → $0/mo · setup 0.25 h · then $240/yr · payback 0.6 mo
1 seat. If your use fits the free tier (Light agent quota, unlimited inline edits and tab).
Covers 33% of the core features (not: AI agent (Cascade), Frontier model choice)
Free plan keeps unlimited inline edits and tab with a light agent quota.
Sources: windsurf.com
Switch vendorGitHub CopilotSaves $70 in year one
$20/mo today → $10/mo · setup 1 h · then $120/yr · payback 5 mo
1 seat. Copilot Pro $10/mo vs Windsurf Pro $20; Windsurf Teams costs $80/mo + $40/seat.
Covers 100% of the core features
Copilot Pro $10/mo vs Windsurf Pro $20; Windsurf Teams costs $80/mo + $40/seat.
Sources: windsurf.comgithub.com
Open sourceClineCosts $1,220 more in year one
$20/mo today → $5/mo + 2 h upkeep · setup 4 h
1 seat. Free open-source agent; pay only model tokens.
Covers 67% of the core features (not: Tab autocomplete)
Free open-source agent; pay only model tokens.
License: open_source
Sources: windsurf.comcline.bot

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