Cursor AI Review: Is This AI Code Editor Worth It? (2025)

In this guide, you're going to learn everything about Cursor AI, the coding tool that has become the talk of the town among developers.

First, some good news that'll make you happy:

• You don't need to be an AI expert to use Cursor AI!

• If set up correctly, it will allow you to code faster.

• You don't need hardware to make Cursor AI work. You just need the curiosity to explore what AI can do for your coding workflow.

Let's dive into everything you need to know about Cursor AI, including:

✅ What Cursor AI is & how it compares to regular code editors

✅ How to get started with Cursor AI quickly & easily, even if you're not deeply technical! 

✅ Key features that make Cursor AI stand out from competitors like GitHub Copilot

✅ Answers to your top questions about using Cursor AI... like, “Is it worth the price?”

Let’s get started!

Cursor AI Founders

Cursor AI was co-founded in 2022 by four friends (Michael Truell, Sualeh Asif, Arvid Lunnemark, Aman Sanger) who met at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

What Is Cursor AI?

Cursor AI is a dedicated AI code editor that supercharges your development workflow, helps you write better code faster, & solves complex problems.

That's right.

A dedicated AI-coding tool.

Not a basic code completion plugin. ❌

Not just another IDE. ❌

A full AI assistant. ✅

Built as a fork of VS Code, it's an integrated development environment that blends the familiar interface with a powerful AI assistant. This assistant, powered by models like Claude 3.5 Sonnet & GPT-4o, can generate code, debug errors, refactor files, & even write commit messages.

It allows you to write better code in less time, even if you're a total beginner!

However, you need to use Cursor AI the right way to get the most benefit, meaning:

• You need to change how you code to make the most of AI help. Don't waste time fighting the tool because this mindset can hold developers back for weeks due to perfectionism & fear of new workflows! Take action to start using it now & get a little momentum going, & you can perfect your AI coding techniques later on.
  

• You need a proper installation of Cursor AI (more on this below). No shortcuts! In other words, download the official app from the site. Developers won't get the full experience if they try to cobble together plugins that mimic only parts of Cursor AI's functionality.
  

• You need to understand the 5 core features to maximize productivity. You'll learn what they are in this review. Make sure to keep reading because missing just one of these key features could totally sabotage your ability to boost your coding speed!

Again, don't hold yourself back from trying Cursor AI due to perfectionism.

One of the biggest mistakes beginner Cursor AI users make is thinking they have to perfectly understand every AI feature before getting started.

Cursor AI Download & Setup

Downloading Cursor AI is simple. 

Head to cursor.com, grab the installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux, & you're off to the races. 

Screenshot Source: Cursor.com

Since it's a VS Code fork, the setup feels familiar if you've used VS Code before. 

Your existing VS Code extensions, themes, & keybindings? 

They'll likely work right out of the box, which is a huge plus. You can have your environment up & running in under 10 minutes; no manual tweaking required.

Cursor AI Pricing

One thing to note: Cursor AI offers a free tier with limited AI requests, but you'll probably want to spring for the Pro plan ($20/month) for more robust features. There's also a Business plan ($40/user/month) for teams. 

For more details visit: https://www.cursor.com/pricing

If you're on a budget, the free tier is a great way to test the waters, but heavy users will hit those limits fast.

Key Features

Cursor AI is packed with features that aim to streamline your workflow.

Here's what stood out during testing.

• AI-Fueled Code Completion

If you've used GitHub Copilot, you know the joy of autocompletion that almost reads your mind. Cursor AI takes this up a notch. Its code completion is context-aware, pulling from your entire project to suggest multi-line snippets.

• Composer Mode

This feature lets you describe changes in natural language, & the AI generates code across multiple files.

• Agent Mode

Agent mode is Composer's bolder cousin. Instead of specifying files, you let Cursor AI decide which parts of your codebase need tweaking.

Pro tip: Keep your prompts specific to avoid cleaning up stray changes.

• Context Rules with .cursorrules

Drop it in your project root, add rules like “Use single quotes for JavaScript strings” or “Always include docstrings in Python,” & Cursor AI obeys across the board.

This feature saves time from repetitive prompt tweaking & keeps your codebase consistent.

• Debugging & Error Fixes

When an error pops up in the terminal, a “Fix with AI” prompt appears, offering a solution.

Cursor AI vs GitHub Copilot

No Cursor AI review would be complete without comparing it to GitHub Copilot. Here's how they stack up:

1. Integration

Copilot is a plugin that slots into VS Code, JetBrains, & other IDEs, making it more versatile if you're married to your current setup. Cursor AI is a standalone IDE, which is great if you're okay switching but a hassle if you're not.

2. Code Completion

Both are strong, but Cursor AI's project-wide context gives it an edge for multi-line suggestions. Copilot's inline suggestions are faster for small tasks but less aware of your broader codebase.

3. Natural Language Coding

Cursor AI's Composer & Agent modes let you describe complex tasks in plain English, outpacing Copilot's more limited chat capabilities.

4. Performance

Cursor AI's autocomplete is snappy (around 300ms), while Copilot can lag in large projects (up to 1.2s). However, Copilot uses less memory.

5. Pricing

Copilot's $10/month is cheaper than Cursor's $20/month Pro plan.

Verdict: If you want a lightweight plugin for quick suggestions, Copilot's your pick. If you're ready to embrace a full AI-driven IDE with deeper project awareness, Cursor AI wins.

Cursor AI Alternatives

Not sold on Cursor AI? Here are some cursor ai alternatives to consider:

1. GitHub Copilot

Best for smooth integration with existing IDEs & budget-friendly pricing.

2. Codeium

A free & open-source option with solid autocompletion, though less powerful than Cursor AI.

3. Tabnine

Great for multi-editor support & privacy-focused local models, but its free tier is limited.

4. Windsurf

Another VS Code fork with a simpler interface, ideal for beginners but less feature-rich.

Each has its strengths, so your choice depends on whether you prioritize cost, customization, or simplicity.

Downsides of Cursor AI

Cursor AI isn't flawless. Here's where it stumbled:

❌UI Clutter

The interface can feel crowded with chat panels, “Fix with AI” buttons, & multi-tab suggestions. The clean VS Code look gets buried sometimes.

❌Inconsistent Suggestions

The AI occasionally writes code that doesn’t make sense, like overcomplicating easy functions. It's rare but frustrating.

❌Learning Curve

Despite the VS Code roots, mastering Composer & Agent modes takes time. Expect a week or two to feel fully comfortable.

❌Shortcut Conflicts

Cursor AI remaps some VS Code shortcuts (like Cmd+K for AI suggestions instead of clearing the terminal), which can trip you up.

Cursor AI Reddit: What People Are Saying

Hop over to Cursor AI Reddit threads, & you'll see a mix of reviews. One user says:

“So I have been using cursor with Claude (superior for coding AI), and it has been far superior to ChatGPT and Copilot. It takes the entire code base and will do things based on it rather than just other real-world code examples…”

Screenshot Source: Reddit.com

Another user says, “Check out Codeium. Better for code completions, imho.”

The Bottom Line: Is Cursor AI Worth It?

The verdict is clear: it's a phenomenal tool for developers who want to offload repetitive tasks & tackle complex refactors with natural language. The VS Code foundation makes it approachable, & features like Composer & .cursorrules set it apart from competitors. That said, the learning curve & occasional AI hiccups remind you it's still evolving.

If you're curious, start with the free tier & see if it clicks. 

Will it replace developers? 

No. 

But it's making coding life a whole lot sweeter.

Give it a spin & see for yourself!