Which is better: Windsurf or Trae?
Both Windsurf and Trae are excellent AI IDEs. Windsurf is better for users who prefer polished experiences, while Trae excels for those who value established ecosystems.
Windsurf vs Trae
Which is the better AI IDEs for Mac in 2026?
We compared Windsurf and Trae across 5 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Both Windsurf and Trae are excellent AI IDEs. Read our full breakdown below.
Windsurf
AI-powered code editor by Codeium
Trae
Adaptive AI IDE by ByteDance with deep model integration
Visual Comparison
Windsurf
Windsurf — Official Website
Our Verdict
Both Windsurf and Trae are excellent AI IDEs. Windsurf is better for users who prefer polished experiences, while Trae excels for those who value established ecosystems.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Windsurf | 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 windsurfbrew install --cask traeLearn More
In-Depth Overview
What is Windsurf?
Windsurf (by Codeium) is an AI IDE centered on its Cascade agent—an autonomous coding assistant that can plan, implement, and iterate on multi-step tasks. Built on VS Code, it offers deep AI integration with a focus on keeping developers in a 'flow' state.
What is Trae?
Trae is ByteDance's adaptive AI IDE with Builder agent mode, multi-model support, and an adaptive engine that learns your coding patterns. Currently completely free including premium model access.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Agentic Coding
CriticalCascade is a refined autonomous agent for multi-step coding tasks with intelligent context management and iterative problem-solving.
Builder mode handles multi-step tasks with approval checkpoints. Capable but less refined than Cascade.
Verdict: Cascade is more mature and handles complex autonomous tasks more reliably.
Adaptive Learning
HighStandard codebase understanding without explicit pattern learning.
Adaptive engine learns your coding patterns and preferences for increasingly personalized suggestions.
Verdict: Trae's adaptive learning is unique among AI IDEs.
Pricing
CriticalFree tier with limited AI. Pro at $15/month for full access.
Completely free including premium models. No usage caps announced.
Verdict: Trae's free pricing is its strongest competitive advantage.
Code Completion
HighFast, accurate completions powered by Codeium's proprietary models optimized for speed.
Good completions that improve over time through adaptive learning.
Verdict: Windsurf's completion engine is faster and more refined.
Model Flexibility
MediumUses Codeium's models and select external models.
Supports Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4o, giving users access to the most capable models available.
Verdict: Trae offers access to top-tier external models; Windsurf relies more on its own models.
Who Should Choose Which?
1Budget Developer
Free premium access makes this an easy choice.
2Professional Developer
Cascade's refined agentic coding is worth $15/month for daily use.
3AI IDE Explorer
Start with the free option to build your AI coding habits before committing to a paid tool.
Migration Guide
Windsurf → Trae
Both VS Code-based. Import settings and extensions. Adjust from Cascade's autonomous style to Builder's step-by-step approach.
Trae → Windsurf
Import settings. Explore Cascade for more autonomous multi-step tasks. Set up your Windsurf Pro subscription.
Final Verdict
Windsurf (narrowly)
Winner
Runner-up
Windsurf edges ahead on AI feature maturity and completion speed, but Trae's free pricing and adaptive learning make it the better starting point. Both are solid Cursor alternatives with different strengths.
Bottom Line:
Video Tutorials
Windsurf Tutorial for Beginners (AI Code Editor) - Better than Cursor??
Tech With Tim • 210.2K views
Windsurf AI Tutorial for Beginners
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How To Use Windsurf Editor For Beginners
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