Which is better: Cursor or Trae?
Both Cursor and Trae are excellent AI IDEs. Cursor is better for users who prefer polished experiences, while Trae excels for those who value established ecosystems.
Cursor vs Trae
Which is the better AI IDEs for Mac in 2026?
We compared Cursor and Trae across 5 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Both Cursor and Trae are excellent AI IDEs. Read our full breakdown below.
Cursor
AI-first code editor built on VS Code
Trae
Adaptive AI IDE by ByteDance with deep model integration
Visual Comparison
Cursor
Cursor — Official Website
Our Verdict
Both Cursor and Trae are excellent AI IDEs. Cursor is better for users who prefer polished experiences, while Trae excels for those who value established ecosystems.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cursor | Trae |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Monthly Installs | N/A | N/A |
| GitHub Stars | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
Quick Install
brew install --cask cursorbrew install --cask traeLearn More
In-Depth Overview
What is Cursor?
Cursor is the market-leading AI-native code editor built as a fork of VS Code. It integrates LLMs deeply into the editing experience through features like Cursor Tab (predictive completions), Composer (multi-file agentic editing), and codebase indexing for context-aware AI assistance. With support for Claude 3.5 Sonnet, GPT-4o, and custom models, Cursor aims to be the IDE where AI understands your entire project.
What is Trae?
Trae is ByteDance's AI-native IDE that takes an adaptive approach to AI coding assistance. Its Builder agent handles complex multi-file tasks, while the adaptive engine learns your coding patterns over time for increasingly relevant suggestions. Trae supports multiple models (Claude 3.5 Sonnet, GPT-4o) and is currently free—including premium model access—making it the most accessible AI IDE available.
Detailed Feature Comparison
AI Agent / Multi-File Editing
CriticalComposer (Cmd+I) is Cursor's flagship: describe a feature and it edits multiple files simultaneously, creating new files and modifying existing ones in a single reviewable transaction. It's the gold standard for agentic editing in AI IDEs.
Builder mode handles multi-step, multi-file tasks with progress tracking and step-by-step approval. While capable, it's newer and less refined than Cursor's Composer in handling complex cross-file dependencies.
Verdict: Cursor's Composer is more mature and handles complex multi-file operations more reliably.
Code Completion
CriticalCursor Tab predicts not just the next line but entire code blocks and even cursor movements. It uses a custom model trained on edit patterns, making it feel like the editor reads your mind.
Inline completions are fast and context-aware, improving over time through Trae's adaptive learning. Quality is good but doesn't match Cursor Tab's uncanny ability to predict multi-line edits.
Verdict: Cursor Tab's predictive editing is a generation ahead of standard inline completions.
Adaptive Learning
HighCursor uses .cursorrules files for project-level customization and indexes your codebase, but it doesn't explicitly learn your personal coding patterns over time.
Trae's adaptive engine is its key differentiator—it analyzes your coding patterns, naming conventions, and architectural preferences, producing increasingly personalized suggestions the longer you use it.
Verdict: Trae's adaptive learning is a genuinely novel approach that improves suggestions over time.
Model Selection
HighSupports Claude 3.5 Sonnet, GPT-4o, and custom models. Pro tier ($20/month) includes 500 fast premium requests and unlimited slow requests.
Supports Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4o for free during the launch phase. No usage caps have been announced yet.
Verdict: Both support top-tier models. Trae currently wins on value (free), but Cursor's model access is more established.
Extension Ecosystem
HighFull VS Code extension marketplace compatibility with thousands of mature extensions. One-click import from existing VS Code setup.
VS Code extension support with import capability. Compatible with most popular extensions, though some edge cases may differ from Cursor's more established compatibility.
Verdict: Cursor's longer track record as a VS Code fork means more thoroughly tested extension compatibility.
Codebase Understanding
HighDeep codebase indexing with local embeddings for RAG-based answers. '@Codebase' in chat searches your entire project semantically.
AI chat with file references using @ mentions. Codebase understanding is functional but less sophisticated than Cursor's embedding-based RAG system.
Verdict: Cursor's local embedding index provides more accurate codebase-wide answers.
Pricing
CriticalFree tier with limited AI usage. Pro at $20/month for full access. Business at $40/user/month.
Completely free during launch phase, including access to Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4o with no announced usage caps.
Verdict: Trae's free pricing is unbeatable—but sustainability is uncertain once launch pricing ends.
Who Should Choose Which?
1Professional Developer (Budget Available)
Cursor's mature Composer, predictive Tab, and large community make it the safest choice for daily professional use where $20/month is a justified investment.
2Developer Evaluating AI IDEs
Trae's free pricing makes it the perfect first AI IDE to try. No financial commitment means you can evaluate AI-assisted coding risk-free.
3Solo Developer / Freelancer
When every dollar counts, Trae provides 80% of Cursor's capability at 0% of the cost. The adaptive learning also benefits solo developers who establish consistent patterns.
4Enterprise Team
Cursor's established business tier, privacy controls, and larger community provide the predictability and support enterprises require.
5VS Code Power User
Cursor's deeper VS Code compatibility and .cursorrules ecosystem make it the more seamless upgrade for developers with heavily customized VS Code setups.
Migration Guide
Cursor → Trae
Migrating from Cursor to Trae is straightforward since both are VS Code forks. Export your VS Code settings and extensions list, then import them in Trae on first launch. Note that .cursorrules files won't transfer—you'll need to rely on Trae's adaptive learning to pick up your patterns over time.
Trae → Cursor
Moving from Trae to Cursor is equally simple. Import your settings and extensions, then create a .cursorrules file in your project root to explicitly define your preferences. Cursor will immediately provide powerful AI features; the codebase index builds automatically on first open.
Final Verdict
Cursor
Winner
Runner-up
Cursor wins on feature maturity, community ecosystem, and AI capability depth. Its Composer and Cursor Tab features are genuinely ahead of the competition. However, Trae's free pricing and adaptive learning make it a compelling alternative—especially for developers evaluating AI coding or working on a budget. Both are solid choices; Cursor is the proven leader, Trae is the exciting challenger.
Bottom Line:
Video Tutorials
How to Install Cursor (AI Code Editor) on Mac | How to Use Cursor Ai on macOS
ProgrammingKnowledge • 6.8K views
Cursor Tutorial for Beginners (AI Code Editor)
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4 Cursor Productivity Tips!! #cursor #ai #productivity #tips #coding
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Cursor 2.0 Tutorial for Beginners (Full Course)
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