Cursor vs Continue
Cursor is a standalone AI IDE with proprietary Composer and Background Agents, while Continue is a free, open-source VS Code and JetBrains extension that brings AI chat, autocomplete, and agent capabilities using any LLM provider. At $20/mo vs free (plus API costs), the price difference is significant, but Cursor offers a more polished integrated experience.
| Criteria | Cursor | Continue |
|---|---|---|
| AI Model | GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet | Any LLM (OpenAI, Anthropic, local) |
| Pricing | Free / $20/mo Pro / $40/mo Business | Free (OSS) + LLM API costs |
| Code Completion | Advanced multi-line, tab completion | Tab autocomplete with any model |
| Chat / Agent | Inline chat, Composer agent, codebase-aware | Sidebar chat, inline editing |
| IDE Support | Cursor IDE (VS Code fork) | VS Code, JetBrains |
| Language Support | All major languages | All major languages |
| Privacy | SOC 2 certified, privacy mode available | Full control, runs locally |
| Customization | Custom rules, .cursorrules files | config.json, custom slash commands |
Cursor vs Continue: In-Depth Analysis
Cursor and Continue represent the proprietary-vs-open-source divide in AI coding tools. Cursor is a full IDE that requires you to switch from VS Code, while Continue is an extension that adds AI features to your existing editor.
Continue's three interaction modes (Chat, Plan, and Agent) map roughly to Cursor's inline chat, Composer planning, and autonomous agent features. Continue's Agent mode can make multi-file edits and run commands, similar to Cursor's Composer but within a VS Code or JetBrains extension context. The key difference is polish: Cursor's features feel tighter and more responsive because they're built into the IDE itself rather than running as an extension.
The model flexibility story is similar to Aider: Continue lets you connect any LLM via API, including local models through Ollama. You can configure different models for autocomplete, chat, and agent tasks independently. Cursor gives you access to multiple models but through its own credit system. Continue Hub now offers a Models Add-On for a flat monthly fee that provides access to frontier models without managing your own API keys.
For teams, Continue offers significant advantages. It works in both VS Code and JetBrains, meaning your entire team can use it regardless of IDE preference. Custom slash commands, context filters, and shared configuration via config.json allow standardizing AI behavior across a team. Cursor requires everyone to use the Cursor IDE.
Pricing: Continue is free and open-source. The Continue Hub pricing starts at $10/mo for additional features and model access. Cursor Pro is $20/mo. For a team of 10 developers, Continue saves $200/mo compared to Cursor Pro subscriptions, though API costs vary based on usage.
The main risk with Continue is that being extension-based means it can't modify the IDE itself. Cursor's deep integration allows things like custom tab completion behavior, codebase-wide indexing at the IDE level, and Background Agents that run independently. Continue operates within the constraints of VS Code's extension API.
Key Differences Between Cursor and Continue
Architecture
Cursor is a standalone IDE (VS Code fork) with native AI integration. Continue is an extension for VS Code and JetBrains that adds AI features without changing your editor.
IDE Support
Continue works in both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. Cursor requires using its proprietary VS Code fork exclusively.
Cost
Continue is free and open-source with optional Hub pricing from $10/mo. Cursor Pro costs $20/mo. Both have API costs depending on model usage.
Agent Modes
Continue offers Chat, Plan, and Agent modes. Cursor has inline chat, Composer, and Background Agents. Cursor's agents are more autonomous and can run in parallel.
Local Model Support
Continue natively supports local models via Ollama for fully offline, private AI coding. Cursor requires cloud connectivity and doesn't support local model hosting.
Verdict
Continue is the best choice for developers who want to add AI capabilities to their existing VS Code or JetBrains setup without switching IDEs or paying a subscription. It supports any LLM (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, local models) and offers Chat, Plan, and Agent modes that cover most use cases. Cursor justifies its $20/mo Pro price with a more polished experience: deeper codebase indexing, Memories that persist across sessions, Background Agents for parallel tasks, and tab completions that feel more context-aware than Continue's. If you're already invested in JetBrains IDEs, Continue is your only real option between these two since Cursor doesn't support JetBrains. For VS Code users, the choice is between the free flexibility of Continue or the premium integration of Cursor.
Pros & Cons Compared
Cursor
Continue
Pricing Comparison
Cursor
$20/moFree tier with limited usage. Pro at $20/mo with unlimited Tab completion and Auto mode plus a $20 credit pool for premium models. Ultra at $200/mo with ~20x Pro usage. Teams at $40/user/mo with admin controls.
Continue
FreeFree and open-source for individual developers. Teams plan at $10/developer/mo with additional features. You bring your own API keys or use local models.
Shared Language Support
Both Cursor and Continue support these languages:
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Cursor if you...
- Want the most polished AI IDE experience with deep native integration
- Need Background Agents for parallel autonomous coding tasks
- Prefer a single tool that handles everything without configuration
- Want Memories that persist project knowledge across sessions
- Don't mind being locked into a specific IDE
Choose Continue if you...
- Want to keep your existing VS Code or JetBrains setup
- Need free, open-source AI assistance with any LLM provider
- Work on a team using different IDEs
- Require local model support for privacy or offline use
- Want custom slash commands and shared team AI configuration
Switching Between Cursor and Continue
Switching from Cursor to Continue: Install the Continue extension in VS Code from the marketplace. Set up your config.json with your preferred model providers and API keys. Your VS Code settings and extensions carry over since you're returning to standard VS Code. Adapt your .cursorrules to Continue's configuration format. Switching from Continue to Cursor: Download Cursor and import your VS Code settings. Remove the Continue extension to avoid conflicts. Create a .cursorrules file based on your Continue configuration. The main workflow shift is from Continue's Chat/Plan/Agent modes to Cursor's Composer and inline chat.
Sources & Methodology
Comparison outcomes are based on criterion-level scoring, pricing disclosures, official feature documentation, and practical workflow fit across IDE and CLI contexts.
- Cursor official website
- Continue official website
- Last reviewed: 2026-02-23
FAQ
Is Continue a good free alternative to Cursor?
Yes. Continue offers Chat, Plan, and Agent modes that cover most AI coding use cases. You lose Cursor's polished tab completions, Memories, and Background Agents, but gain IDE flexibility (VS Code + JetBrains), model choice freedom, and zero subscription cost.
Can Continue use the same AI models as Cursor?
Yes, and more. Continue supports any OpenAI-compatible API, Anthropic, Google, and local models. You can use the same Claude Sonnet or GPT-4o models that Cursor offers, plus models Cursor doesn't support like local Llama or DeepSeek variants.
Does Continue work in JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ?
Yes. Continue has extensions for both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.). This is a major advantage over Cursor, which only works in its own VS Code fork.
Is Cursor's autocomplete better than Continue's?
Generally yes. Cursor's tab completion benefits from deeper IDE-level integration and its codebase indexing system. Continue's autocomplete works well but operates within extension API constraints, which limits how deeply it can integrate with the editor.
Can I run Continue completely offline?
Yes. Configure Continue to use local models via Ollama and you can code with AI assistance entirely offline. This is ideal for air-gapped environments or developers with strict privacy requirements.