Windsurf
- Free · freeMonth
- Pro · $20Month
- Teams · $80 / $40Month
- Max · $200Month
Windsurf vs Aider
Side-by-side published prices, limits and sources. Not a quality ranking. The vendor page remains authoritative.
When to pick which
Windsurf: Windsurf is an AI-native code editor with an agentic coding assistant (Cascade, now Devin Local), built by Cognition. Entry: Free plan; first paid plan: Pro. Aider: Aider is a free, open-source coding assistant for the terminal. It uses a repository map, can edit multiple files and records changes through Git commits. Linters and tests can run after edits; images, web pages and voice input can also help describe a task. Entry: Free plan; first paid plan: Cloud provider API. The deciding factors are the actual workflow and the published plan and usage terms.
Differences at a glance
- Free access: Windsurf as Free plan; Aider as Free plan.
- Paid entry in the catalog: Windsurf Pro; Aider Cloud provider API. Amounts are in the table and follow the price region.
- Windsurf: Cascade AI agent (now Devin Local) for autonomous coding and refactoring
- Windsurf: Unlimited tab completions in the editor
- Aider: Terminal and use in your own editor
- Aider: Repository map, multi-file edits and Git commits
| Criterion | Windsurf | Aider |
|---|---|---|
| Free access | Free plan | Free plan |
| Paid from | Pro · $20Month | Cloud provider API · Not verified for this marketusage |
Published plans by vendor
Each vendor separately. The same row does not mean the same plan. Prices follow the selected price region.
Aider
- Aider open source · freeongoing
- Local models · Not verified for this marketself-operated
Windsurf
Windsurf is an AI-native code editor with an agentic coding assistant (Cascade, now Devin Local), built by Cognition.
On 2 June 2026 the brand was officially renamed 'Devin Desktop'. Existing users were automatically migrated via an over-the-air update that preserved their settings, projects and extensions.
Aider
Aider is a free, open-source coding assistant for the terminal. It uses a repository map, can edit multiple files and records changes through Git commits. Linters and tests can run after edits; images, web pages and voice input can also help describe a task.
You connect a cloud model through an API or run a local model, for example with Ollama. The software license is free, but model calls, hardware and operation can incur costs. A provider's free model follows that provider's limits, not a monthly allowance funded by Aider.
Official sources
Windsurf
- Windsurf pricing (devin.ai)
Aider
- Aider (aider.chat)
FAQ
Can Windsurf and Aider be tried for free?
Windsurf: Free plan. Aider: Free plan.
Are Windsurf and Aider listed in the same category?
Windsurf is listed under the “Development & Code” category, Aider under “Development & Code.”
How many pricing tiers do Windsurf and Aider offer?
Windsurf documents 4 plans, Aider documents 3 plans, each with price, billing period, and included features.
Where do the price and product details for Windsurf and Aider come from?
For Windsurf and Aider, prices, limits, and product details are each based on the current official vendor page. Missing values stay marked as not published rather than being estimated.