Windsurf vs Gemini CLI
A side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool.
88
Windsurf scores higher overall (88/100)
But the best choice depends on your specific needs. Compare below.
| Feature | Windsurf | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 88 | 86 |
| Pricing | Free tier with 25 credits/month. Pro at $15/month with 500 credits. Teams at $30/user/month. Enterprise pricing is custom. | Free access is available through Gemini Code Assist for individuals, with higher quotas and enterprise options in paid tiers. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Developers who want AI-powered coding across multiple IDEs, not just one editor, Teams working on complex multi-file refactoring and large codebases, Enterprise teams needing FedRAMP, HIPAA, or ITAR compliance, Cost-conscious developers who want Cursor-level features at a lower price | Developers who want a terminal-first coding agent, Teams already using Gemini Code Assist or Google Cloud, Engineers who like MCP-enabled local workflows |
| Platforms | mac, windows, linux | mac, windows, linux |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | en | en |
| Pros |
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| Visit site | Visit site |
Windsurf
88
- Pricing
- Free tier with 25 credits/month. Pro at $15/month with 500 credits. Teams at $30/user/month. Enterprise pricing is custom.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Best for
- Developers who want AI-powered coding across multiple IDEs, not just one editor, Teams working on complex multi-file refactoring and large codebases, Enterprise teams needing FedRAMP, HIPAA, or ITAR compliance, Cost-conscious developers who want Cursor-level features at a lower price
- Platforms
- mac, windows, linux
- API
- Yes
- Languages
- en
- Pricing
- Free access is available through Gemini Code Assist for individuals, with higher quotas and enterprise options in paid tiers.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Best for
- Developers who want a terminal-first coding agent, Teams already using Gemini Code Assist or Google Cloud, Engineers who like MCP-enabled local workflows
- Platforms
- mac, windows, linux
- API
- Yes
- Languages
- en
88Choose Windsurf if:
- You are Developers who want AI-powered coding across multiple IDEs, not just one editor
- You are Teams working on complex multi-file refactoring and large codebases
- You are Enterprise teams needing FedRAMP, HIPAA, or ITAR compliance
- You want to start free
86Choose Gemini CLI if:
- You are Developers who want a terminal-first coding agent
- You are Teams already using Gemini Code Assist or Google Cloud
- You are Engineers who like MCP-enabled local workflows
- You want to start free
FAQ
- What is the difference between Windsurf and Gemini CLI?
- Windsurf is windsurf is an ai-native code editor with agentic capabilities that understands your entire codebase and applies multi-file changes autonomously. ranked #1 in ai dev tool power rankings, it offers broader ide compatibility than cursor at a lower price point. Gemini CLI is google's open-source terminal agent for gemini-powered coding and task execution, with built-in tools and mcp server support.
- Which is cheaper, Windsurf or Gemini CLI?
- Windsurf: Free tier with 25 credits/month. Pro at $15/month with 500 credits. Teams at $30/user/month. Enterprise pricing is custom.. Gemini CLI: Free access is available through Gemini Code Assist for individuals, with higher quotas and enterprise options in paid tiers.. Windsurf has a free plan. Gemini CLI has a free plan.
- Who is Windsurf best for?
- Windsurf is best for Developers who want AI-powered coding across multiple IDEs, not just one editor, Teams working on complex multi-file refactoring and large codebases, Enterprise teams needing FedRAMP, HIPAA, or ITAR compliance, Cost-conscious developers who want Cursor-level features at a lower price.
- Who is Gemini CLI best for?
- Gemini CLI is best for Developers who want a terminal-first coding agent, Teams already using Gemini Code Assist or Google Cloud, Engineers who like MCP-enabled local workflows.