Cursor alternatives: 5 free & open-source picks
Compare recorded free and open-source options, their capabilities and operating requirements. Source dates are shown below; licenses, hosted limits and project activity can change.
A fast local coding agent with no loyalty to any model vendor.
licenseMIT
runson your machine
installInstall script, Homebrew or npm
enginesDozens of providers through AI SDK and Models.dev, including hosted APIs and local OpenAI-compatible or Ollama-style backends
dataSource files stay local; credentials are stored under the user's OpenCode data directory and configuration under the config directory, while prompts and context go to the selected provider
the catch vs CursorIt is terminal-first and does not replace Cursor's full graphical editor, low-latency autocomplete and inline review experience.
setupTerminal comfort and a provider API key or local model server are required
facts verified 2026-08-10
A fast open editor with agents built in, not a VS Code costume.
licenseGPL-3.0+
runson your machine
installDirect desktop download, Homebrew, winget or install script
enginesZed-hosted models, provider API keys or subscriptions, OpenRouter, Vercel AI Gateway, Bedrock, Ollama, LM Studio, OpenAI-compatible local servers and external ACP agents
dataSource files stay local; provider keys use the system keychain, while AI prompts and code context go to the selected provider or local model
the catch vs CursorIt requires changing editors and still has a smaller extension ecosystem and less mature AI autocomplete and indexing workflow than Cursor.
setupEditor installation is clean; AI needs a Zed account, provider subscription or key, gateway, or local model, and platform hardware support varies
facts verified 2026-08-10
A code agent in your editor; the model bill is still yours.
licenseApache-2.0
runson your machine
installVS Code or JetBrains extension, or npm-installed CLI
enginesAnthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, Bedrock, Azure, Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, Ollama, LM Studio and OpenAI-compatible endpoints
dataCode stays in the working repository and task data is stored locally; prompts and selected code context go to the chosen provider unless a local backend is used
the catch vs CursorIt is an agent layered into an existing IDE rather than a cohesive AI-native editor, so autocomplete, indexing and composer-style interaction feel less integrated than Cursor.
setupSign in for Cline inference, bring an API key, or run and configure a local model
facts verified 2026-08-10
A desktop agent that edits and runs code without pretending the model is free.
licenseApache-2.0
runson your machine
installDesktop installer or curl-installed CLI
enginesAnthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter, Azure, Bedrock and other providers; ACP can use supported model subscriptions
dataCode and files stay local; sessions and configuration are stored in Goose application data, while prompts and context go to the selected provider unless local
the catch vs CursorIt is a desktop or terminal agent, not a full editor with Cursor's fast tab completion, code navigation and integrated composer.
setupA provider subscription, API key or local model must be connected before the agent can work
facts verified 2026-08-10
One open agent across VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal; inference still has a meter somewhere.
latest recorded source check 2026-08-10 · check current terms at the source
ContinueAcquired by Cursor; the repo is read-only and 2.0.0 is the last release.
RefactThe original repo was archived and Refact Cloud was retired in May 2026.
Roo CodeThe extension shut down and the repo was archived on May 15, 2026.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenCode | MIT | one-click install | cli, macos, windows, linux | 193,678 | 2026-08 |
| Zed | GPL-3.0+ | one-click install | macos, windows, linux | 88,100 | 2026-08 |
| Cline | Apache-2.0 | one-click install | browser-extension, cli, macos, windows, linux | 65,800 | 2026-08 |
| Goose | Apache-2.0 | one-click install | macos, windows, linux, cli | 52,400 | 2026-08 |
| Kilo Code | open source | one-click install | browser-extension, cli, macos, windows, linux | 26,735 | 2026-08 |
They pay for speed: the agent is already in the editor with defaults that work. The recorded subscription totals $240 a year before any costs of an alternative.
Questions about these alternatives
Is there a free alternative to Cursor?
Yes: OpenCode, Zed, Cline and 2 more. These are recorded free or open-source options. Compare their feature limits, licenses, hosting costs and current availability before choosing.
Should I just build my own Cursor?
Our verdict is KINDA. You can assemble VS Code plus open-source agents, but Cursor's moat is editor-native agent UX, model routing, cloud agents, context handling, and rapid product iteration. Review the scope, implementation prompt and trade-offs in the Cursor build guide.
