12 Best Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) Alternatives (2026)
Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) is cognition's ai code editor, formerly windsurf (renamed 2026-06-02), with local agents, tab completions and a command center for local and cloud devin agents.. Teams that switch usually cite published usage limits instead of an unpublished allowance, an open-source agent you can run with your own API key, a no-training policy, SSO and a self-hosted option for company code. The alternatives below are ranked by published head-to-head verdicts, not sponsorship.
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Reviewed by vsref Editorialfacts verified Oct 3, 2026Methodology →
Where to switch, by reason
All 43 ai coding agents alternatives
How the top Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) alternatives compare
A closer look at the top 5: each Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) alternative's standing among AI coding agents peers, its verdict record against Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf), and the trade-offs of leaving.
1. Cursor
Head-to-head, Cursor takes enterprise, free plans and terminal workflows from Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) and matches it for beginners, local models and open source.
Why teams switch: Both tools clear the basic security checklist, each offering a self-hosted or VPC deployment, a zero data retention option, SOC 2 and admin audit logs. Where they differ is the training policy and SSO access. Cursor states that with Privacy Mode on, code is not used for training, a clear commitment a security review can point to, while Devin Desktop's self-serve policy describes a default setting rather than a firm exclusion. Cursor also offers SAML/OIDC SSO from its Teams plan at $40/user/mo upward, whereas Devin Desktop limits SSO to Enterprise, though it adds SCIM there.
Enterprise verdict →
Overall verdict: Cursor wins three use cases to one, with three ties. It takes Enterprise by stating that code is not used for training with Privacy Mode on and by offering SAML/OIDC SSO from its Teams plan at $40/user/mo, while Devin Desktop limits SSO to Enterprise. It takes Free Plans because it supports bringing your own API key, which Devin Desktop does not generally offer on self-serve plans, and it takes Terminal Workflows with twelve listed surfaces against three. Devin Desktop wins VS Code with its own IDE plus six more editors. Beginners is a tie at $20/mo each, and neither publishes local model support or a license.
Full Cursor vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) comparison → · Cursor review →
2. GitHub Copilot
In our published verdicts, GitHub Copilot beats Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) for beginners, free plans, local models, open source, terminal workflows and vs code.
The reverse angle matters too - Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) vs GitHub Copilot: adds zero data retention option.
Why teams switch: A predictable, low bill matters most for newer developers. Devin Desktop's cheapest paid plan is $20/mo, while GitHub Copilot's is $10/mo, and Copilot publishes its entry allowance of 1,000 base plus 500 flex credits on Pro, which Devin Desktop does not. On the free plan, Copilot Free states 2,000 code completions a month, while Devin Desktop describes only a light quota to code with agents. Both offer checkpoints and rollback for undoing agent mistakes. Copilot also runs on more surfaces, including IDE extensions and GitHub.com.
Beginners verdict →
Overall verdict: GitHub Copilot wins six of seven use cases. Devin Desktop's cheapest paid plan is $20/mo, while GitHub Copilot's is $10/mo, and Copilot publishes 1,000 base plus 500 flex credits on Pro and 2,000 code completions a month on its no-cost tier, which carries Beginners and Free Plans. Local model support and bring-your-own-key, which Devin Desktop lacks on self-serve plans, win Local Models and Open Source. Wider surfaces and direct VS Code support take Terminal Workflows and VS Code. Devin Desktop keeps Enterprise with self-hosted deployment, SSO with SCIM and zero data retention.
Full GitHub Copilot vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) comparison → · GitHub Copilot review →
3. Kiro
Our use-case verdicts have Kiro ahead of Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) for beginners, free plans and terminal workflows and matches it for local models and open source.
Seen from the other side, Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) vs Kiro: adds zero data retention option.
Why teams switch: Both start at $20/mo, so included usage and the free plan decide it. Kiro publishes 1,000 credits a month on Kiro Pro, while Devin Desktop does not publish an entry-tier allowance. Kiro's free plan states 50 credits a month, against Devin Desktop's light quota to code with agents, with no number given. Both offer checkpoints and rollback, so undoing agent mistakes is covered either way. Kiro also runs in more places, including an IDE, a CLI and the web. A clearly stated allowance makes Kiro's bill easier to predict.
Beginners verdict →
Overall verdict: Kiro wins three use cases to Devin Desktop's two, with two ties. Both start at $20/mo, but Kiro publishes what you get: 1,000 credits a month on Kiro Pro and 50 credits a month on its free plan, while Devin Desktop offers only a light quota with no number. That carries Beginners and Free Plans. Kiro also runs as an IDE, a CLI and on the web, which wins Terminal Workflows. Devin Desktop takes Enterprise, with self-hosted deployment, zero data retention and SOC 2, and VS Code, thanks to its VS Code-based IDE. Neither publishes local model support or a license, so those use cases tie.
Full Kiro vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) comparison → · Kiro review →
4. Aider
Before switching, weigh what stays behind - Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) vs Aider: adds zero data retention option.
5. Amazon Q Developer
Seen from the other side, Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) vs Amazon Q Developer: adds pick the model per task.