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Cursor vs Visual Studio Code
Which is the better code editors for Mac in 2026?
We compared Cursor and Visual Studio Code across 5 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Both Cursor and Visual Studio Code are excellent code editors. Read our full breakdown below.
Cursor
AI-first code editor built on VS Code
Free
VS
Visual Studio Code
Open-source code editor by Microsoft
Free
Visual Comparison
Cursor
Cursor — Official Website
Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code — Official Website
Our Verdict
Both Cursor and Visual Studio Code are excellent code editors. Cursor is better for users who prefer polished experiences, while Visual Studio Code excels for those who value established ecosystems.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cursor | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Cursor
brew install --cask cursorVisual Studio Code
brew install --cask visual-studio-codeLearn More
In-Depth Overview
What is Cursor?
Cursor is an AI-first code editor developed by Anysphere, a San Francisco-based startup founded in 2022. Built as a fork of VS Code, Cursor maintains full compatibility with VS Code extensions, themes, and keybindings while adding deep AI integration that goes far beyond what extensions like GitHub Copilot can provide. Cursor's standout feature is its codebase awareness—it indexes your entire project and uses that context to provide relevant code suggestions, answer questions about your codebase, and generate code that fits your existing patterns and conventions. The Composer feature enables AI-driven edits across multiple files simultaneously, making complex refactors and feature implementations faster. Cmd+K provides inline AI editing within any file, and the AI chat panel can reference specific files, documentation, and even web resources. Cursor supports multiple AI models including GPT-4, Claude, and custom API keys. It has raised over $400 million in funding and has rapidly gained adoption among professional developers, particularly in startups and AI-focused companies. By 2026, Cursor has become the leading AI-native code editor, challenging VS Code's dominance among developers who prioritize AI-assisted workflows.
What is VS Code?
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is Microsoft's free, open-source code editor and the most popular development environment in the world. Released in 2015, VS Code has grown to command over 70% market share among developers according to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey. VS Code's success stems from its exceptional balance of lightweight performance, powerful features, and unmatched extensibility. The marketplace hosts over 50,000 extensions covering every programming language, framework, and development workflow imaginable. Built-in features include IntelliSense code completion, integrated terminal, Git version control, debugging for dozens of languages, and remote development through SSH, containers, and WSL. In 2026, VS Code has integrated GitHub Copilot as its primary AI assistant, offering inline suggestions, chat-based coding assistance, and workspace-wide AI features. VS Code is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, and as a web editor (vscode.dev). Its stability, maturity, and ecosystem size make it the default choice for professional development teams, and its open-source nature (MIT license for the core) ensures long-term viability and community contribution.
Detailed Feature Comparison
AI Code Generation & Assistance
CriticalCursorExcellent
Cursor's AI is deeply integrated: codebase-indexed chat, Composer for multi-file edits, Cmd+K inline generation, intelligent autocomplete with full project context, and support for multiple AI models. The AI understands your codebase's patterns, conventions, and architecture.
Visual Studio CodeGood
VS Code integrates GitHub Copilot for inline suggestions and chat. Copilot is capable but operates more as an add-on than a native feature. It offers good single-file suggestions but less cohesive multi-file understanding.
Verdict: Cursor's AI integration is significantly deeper than VS Code + Copilot. The codebase-aware context and multi-file Composer provide a fundamentally different AI coding experience.
Extension Ecosystem
CriticalCursorGood
Cursor supports VS Code extensions, themes, and keybindings since it's a VS Code fork. Most extensions work perfectly, though some may have minor compatibility issues with newer Cursor-specific features.
Visual Studio CodeExcellent
VS Code has the largest extension marketplace with 50,000+ extensions, all guaranteed to work perfectly. The ecosystem covers every language, framework, and development tool.
Verdict: VS Code's native extension ecosystem is more reliable and comprehensive, though Cursor inherits most of it through VS Code compatibility.
Multi-File AI Editing
HighCursorExcellent
Cursor's Composer can make coordinated changes across multiple files simultaneously—updating types, implementations, tests, and imports in one operation with AI understanding the relationships between files.
Visual Studio CodeAverage
VS Code with Copilot can suggest edits one file at a time. Multi-file refactoring requires manual orchestration or using built-in refactoring tools that are not AI-powered.
Verdict: Cursor's Composer is a unique capability that makes complex multi-file changes dramatically faster than VS Code's file-by-file approach.
Debugging & Development Tools
HighCursorGood
Cursor inherits VS Code's debugging infrastructure but focuses development resources on AI features. Debugging works well but doesn't add capabilities beyond what VS Code provides.
Visual Studio CodeExcellent
VS Code has industry-leading debugging with breakpoints, watch expressions, call stacks, and debug adapters for dozens of languages. Continuous refinement over years has made debugging seamless.
Verdict: VS Code's mature debugging tools benefit from years of refinement and direct Microsoft investment that Cursor hasn't replicated.
Performance & Stability
HighCursorGood
Cursor performs well but uses more memory due to AI indexing and codebase processing. Stability has improved significantly but occasional AI-related slowdowns occur with large codebases.
Visual Studio CodeExcellent
VS Code is highly optimized and stable after years of performance tuning. It handles large projects smoothly and recovers gracefully from extensions that misbehave.
Verdict: VS Code's maturity gives it an edge in stability and performance, particularly with large codebases and many extensions.
Codebase Understanding
HighCursorExcellent
Cursor indexes your entire codebase to build a semantic understanding of your project. You can ask questions about your code, find patterns, and get contextually relevant suggestions based on your project's architecture.
Visual Studio CodeGood
VS Code provides IntelliSense, Go to Definition, and Find All References for codebase navigation. Copilot adds some context awareness but doesn't index the full codebase as deeply.
Verdict: Cursor's full codebase indexing and semantic understanding provide AI assistance that is meaningfully aware of your project's structure and patterns.
Remote Development
MediumCursorGood
Cursor supports SSH remote development, inheriting VS Code's remote capabilities. Docker and WSL support are functional but less polished than VS Code's dedicated Remote extensions.
Visual Studio CodeExcellent
VS Code's Remote Development extensions (SSH, Containers, WSL, GitHub Codespaces) are best-in-class, with Microsoft's direct investment in remote development infrastructure.
Verdict: VS Code's remote development capabilities are more mature and directly supported by Microsoft's cloud infrastructure.
Who Should Choose Which?
1The AI-First Startup Developer
Cursor
In a fast-moving startup, Cursor's ability to generate boilerplate, refactor across files, and understand codebase context accelerates development velocity significantly. The $20/month is trivial compared to developer time saved.
2The Enterprise Java Developer
Visual Studio Code
Enterprise environments prioritize stability, established tooling, and IT-approved software. VS Code's maturity, Microsoft backing, and enterprise deployment tools make it the safe choice for corporate development teams.
3The Full-Stack Solo Developer
Cursor
Solo developers benefit most from AI assistance since they don't have teammates to review code or explain unfamiliar patterns. Cursor acts as an always-available pair programmer across frontend, backend, and infrastructure code.
4The Open Source Contributor
Visual Studio Code
Contributing to open source across many different codebases favors VS Code's stability, broad language support, and zero cost. Cursor's codebase indexing is less valuable when switching projects frequently.
5The Junior Developer Learning to Code
Cursor
Cursor's AI chat can explain code, suggest improvements, and help debug issues—acting as a patient mentor. The codebase understanding helps juniors navigate unfamiliar projects and learn patterns from existing code.
Migration Guide
Cursor → Visual Studio Code
Cursor settings, keybindings, and extensions are stored in a VS Code-compatible format. Export your settings (Cmd+Shift+P > 'Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)') and import them into VS Code. Extensions installed in Cursor can be reinstalled from the VS Code Marketplace. Your Cursor-specific AI workflows (Composer, Cmd+K prompts) won't transfer—install GitHub Copilot as an alternative.
Visual Studio Code → Cursor
Cursor can import VS Code settings, extensions, and keybindings directly during its first launch. Select 'Import from VS Code' in the setup wizard, and your entire configuration transfers automatically. Your familiar shortcuts, themes, and extensions will work immediately, with Cursor's AI features available on top.
Pro Tips
Cursor's VS Code import is seamless—most developers can switch in minutes. Try Cursor's free tier alongside VS Code for a week before committing. If you rely on specific VS Code extensions, verify they work in Cursor before fully switching.
Final Verdict
Overall Winner
cursor
9.0/10
Winner
8.8/10
Runner-up
Cursor wins for developers who want AI as a core part of their coding workflow. Its codebase-aware AI, multi-file Composer, and deep integration provide productivity gains that VS Code + Copilot cannot match. VS Code remains the superior choice for developers who value maximum stability, the world's largest extension ecosystem, free pricing, and a mature, proven editing experience. The gap is narrow—both are excellent editors—but the direction of software development is increasingly AI-assisted, and Cursor is ahead of that curve. For most developers in 2026, the question isn't whether to use AI in their editor, but how deeply integrated they want it to be.
Bottom Line: Choose Cursor for deep AI-assisted development. Choose VS Code for maximum stability, ecosystem, and value. Both are exceptional editors.
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)
Tech With Tim • 823.6K views
4 Cursor Productivity Tips!! #cursor #ai #productivity #tips #coding
Jessica Wang • 151.2K views
Cursor 2.0 Tutorial for Beginners (Full Course)
Riley Brown • 158.7K views
Frequently Asked Questions
Cursor started as a VS Code fork but has evolved significantly beyond 'VS Code plus AI.' While it maintains VS Code compatibility for extensions and keybindings, Cursor's AI integration is architectural—codebase indexing, Composer for multi-file edits, and contextual understanding are built into the editor's core, not bolted on as extensions. Think of it as VS Code reimagined with AI as the primary interaction paradigm rather than a supplementary feature.
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Related Technologies & Concepts
AnysphereMicrosoftGitHub CopilotComposerIntelliSenseElectronWindsurfZedGPT-4
Anysphere (San Francisco startup developing Cursor editor.), Microsoft (Developer of VS Code and GitHub Copilot.), GitHub Copilot (Microsoft's AI coding assistant, primary competitor to Cursor's AI features.), Composer (Cursor's multi-file AI editing feature.), IntelliSense (VS Code's intelligent code completion system.), Electron (Framework both editors are built on for cross-platform desktop apps.), Windsurf (Codeium's AI-first editor, another competitor in the AI code editor space.), Zed (High-performance code editor that also competes for developer attention.), GPT-4 (OpenAI's language model used by both Cursor and GitHub Copilot.)
Related Topics
AI Code Editors
Code editors with built-in AI assistance for code generation, refactoring, and development workflows.
macOS Development Tools
Code editors and development environments for software engineering on Mac.
AI-Powered Development
Tools and services that use AI to accelerate software development.
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 15, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- VS Code commands over 70% market share among developers.[cite-stackoverflow-survey]
- Cursor is built as a fork of VS Code and supports VS Code extensions.[cite-cursor-official]
- Cursor Pro costs $20/month for unlimited AI completions.[cite-cursor-pricing]
- Anysphere has raised over $400 million in funding for Cursor.[cite-cursor-funding]
- 1Cursor - The AI Code Editor
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2Visual Studio Code - Code Editing Redefined
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 3Cursor Pricing Plans
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 4Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 5Anysphere Raises Funding for Cursor
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: Cursor vs VS Code comparison 2026; Cursor AI editor features pricing; VS Code GitHub Copilot integration