Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) vs Zed: Which Is Better in 2026?
We compared Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) and Zed across pricing, features, and use cases. Here's what we found.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Pricing | Freemium (from $20/mo (Pro)) | Free |
| Free Tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Text Chat | ✓ | ✗ |
| Image Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Code Assistant | ✓ | ✗ |
| Voice Input | ✗ | ✗ |
| File Upload | ✗ | ✗ |
| Web Search | ✗ | ✗ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✗ |
| Languages | 1 | 1 |
About Windsurf (now Devin Desktop)
Windsurf, the AI-native IDE formerly tied to Codeium, was acquired by Cognition (maker of the autonomous agent Devin) and rebranded to Devin Desktop in June 2026. It provides autocomplete, chat, and an autonomous local coding agent across a VS Code-based editor.
Pricing: Freemium (from $20/mo (Pro))
Best for: Programming & Code, General Assistant
Full Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) Review →About Zed
AI-native code editor built in Rust for maximum speed — with built-in LLM integration, real-time collaborative editing, and a focus on performance for developers who want fast, minimal tooling.
Pricing: Free
Best for: Programming & Code
Full Zed Review →Who Should Choose Windsurf (now Devin Desktop)?
- Teams and individuals focused on programming & code
- Teams and individuals focused on general assistant
- Developers who need API access to integrate AI into their apps
Who Should Choose Zed?
- Teams and individuals focused on programming & code
- Users looking for a free solution with no upfront cost
Our Verdict
Recommended
Windsurf (now Devin Desktop)
Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) edges out Zed with a higher overall rating (4.4 vs 4.4). However, the best choice depends on your specific needs — both tools have strong points.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) and Zed?
- Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) and Zed differ in their capabilities, pricing, and target use cases. Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) uniquely supports code, text. Zed uniquely supports code-editor, ai-assistant, real-time-collaboration, high-performance, tree-sitter.
- Which is cheaper, Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) or Zed?
- Zed is free to use, while Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) requires a paid plan.
- Which is better overall?
- Based on user ratings, Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) (4.4/5) is rated slightly higher than Zed (4.4/5). The best choice depends on your specific use case and budget.
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