Comparison VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Trae, Kiro, Replit

VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Trae, Kiro, and Replit represent a spectrum of modern coding environments, ranging from a highly extensible, traditional local editor (VS Code) to fully cloud-based, AI-driven development and deployment platforms (Replit). Most of the others are AI-first IDEs built on or heavily inspired by VS Code. 

Feature	VS Code	Cursor	Windsurf	Trae	Kiro	Replit
Platform	Local desktop app	Local desktop app	Local desktop app	Local desktop app	Local desktop/CLI	Cloud (browser-based)
Core Philosophy	Extensible, traditional editor	AI pair programmer w/ local control	Agentic automation & deep context	Fully free, AI-enhanced editor	Spec-first AI agent	All-in-one build/deploy platform
AI Integration	Via extensions (e.g., Copilot)	Deeply integrated AI chat & refactoring	Agent-focused, multi-file awareness	Built-in models (GPT-4o, Claude 3.5)	Agentic IDE, starts with a spec	Built-in Ghostwriter AI & Agents
Offline Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Ecosystem	Vast extension marketplace	Full VS Code extension compatibility	VS Code-style extensions	Many VS Code extensions supported	AWS integrated ecosystem	Built-in services (DB, Auth, etc.)
Best For	Developers wanting control & flexibility	Pro developers who want a powerful local AI-first experience	Large, complex codebases & deep automation	Price-sensitive developers needing strong, free AI tools	Complex projects benefiting from structured planning & automation	Students, indie hackers, teams needing fast prototyping and deployment

Key Takeaways

• VS Code is the industry standard for those who value extreme flexibility and a massive ecosystem of extensions. Its AI capabilities come through additions like GitHub Copilot.
• Cursor is a fork of VS Code that integrates AI more deeply into the core workflow, focusing on context-aware completions, multi-file refactoring, and AI chat. It is a popular choice for professional developers who want a local, powerful AI assistant.
• Windsurf (by Codeium) is an AI rules-based assistant focusing on workflow automation and deep codebase awareness for large projects. It is known for a polished chat experience and strong file lookup systems.
• Trae stands out as a completely free, AI-powered IDE with built-in access to premium models like GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet, making it highly attractive to developers on a budget.
• Kiro is an "AI IDE for adults" that starts every feature with a spec, forcing developers to think through edge cases and security before generating code. It's best for structured planning in complex enterprise environments.
• Replit is in a different category as a fully cloud-based IDE with integrated hosting and deployment, requiring zero local setup. It is excellent for collaboration, prototyping, and moving from idea to live application very quickly.