Cursor vs Trae
Two of the most-asked-about agents in the coding space. Here's how they actually stack up.
Cursor
AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code
Free + $20/mo
Read full review →Trae
ByteDance's free AI-native IDE: VS Code fork with built-in models and no subscription required
Free
Read full review →Side-by-side comparison
| Cursor | Trae | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code | ByteDance's free AI-native IDE: VS Code fork with built-in models and no subscription required |
| Pricing | Free + $20/mo | Free |
| Categories | coding, ide | coding, ide |
| Made by | Anysphere | ByteDance |
| Launched | 2023-03 | 2024-11 |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Status | active | active |
Cursor highlights
- + Inline AI completions with project-wide context
- + Composer mode for multi-file edits from a single prompt
- + Agent mode for autonomous task execution
- + Tab completion that learns your patterns
- + Built-in chat with codebase indexing
Trae highlights
- + Built-in AI chat and inline completions at no cost
- + Multi-file Composer-style agent for cross-file edits
- + Supports multiple models including Claude and GPT-4o via settings
- + VS Code extension compatibility out of the box
- + Builder mode for autonomous task execution
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cursor or Trae?
Neither is universally better. Cursor (Free + $20/mo) leans into coding, while Trae (Free) is closer to coding. Pick based on which workflow you actually do every day.
What is the price difference between Cursor and Trae?
Cursor is free + $20/mo. Trae is free. See the pricing row in the comparison table.
Can I use Cursor and Trae together?
In most cases, yes. They serve overlapping but distinct needs, so running them side by side is common until you decide which fits your workflow.