Cursor is the most talked-about developer tool of 2025. It's a code editor built on VS Code, with AI so deeply integrated that it fundamentally changes how you write software.
After using it as my primary editor for four months on production projects, here's my honest take.
What Is Cursor?
Cursor is a fork of VS Code with AI baked into every feature. It's not a plugin or extension — the AI capabilities are native to the editor.
What makes it different from GitHub Copilot:
| Feature | Cursor | GitHub Copilot | |---------|--------|----------------| | Codebase indexing | Full project | Current file | | AI model choice | Claude Fable, GPT-4o | GPT-4 based | | Multi-file edits | Yes (Composer) | No | | Chat interface | Full chat | Limited | | Price | $20/mo | $10/mo |
Core Features
Tab Completion
Cursor's tab completion is the best I've used. It doesn't just complete the current line — it predicts entire blocks, anticipates what you're about to do, and often completes code you were about to write before you type it.
Chat (Ctrl+L)
Open a chat panel within the editor and ask questions about your code. The AI has full context of your entire codebase, not just the current file. Ask:
- "Why is this function returning undefined?"
- "How does AuthService connect to this component?"
- "What's the best way to optimize this query?"
And it gives answers that actually account for your specific codebase.
Composer (Ctrl+I)
This is Cursor's most powerful feature. Describe a feature in natural language and watch it:
- Plan the implementation
- Edit multiple files simultaneously
- Create new files as needed
- Update imports and dependencies
I built a complete authentication flow in 20 minutes with Composer. It would have taken 2-3 hours writing it manually.
Inline Edits (Ctrl+K)
Select any block of code, press Ctrl+K, and describe what you want changed. It rewrites the selection in place. Incredibly fast for refactoring.
Real-World Testing
I tested Cursor on three real projects over four months:
Project 1: Next.js web app (medium complexity)
- Composer built the entire data layer in 45 minutes
- Caught 3 bugs I would have missed
- Estimated time saved: 8+ hours
Project 2: Python data pipeline (complex)
- Struggled more here — complex logic still needed significant manual guidance
- Good at individual functions, less good at architecture-level decisions
- Estimated time saved: 3-4 hours
Project 3: Bug fix sprint (legacy codebase)
- Exceptional here — fed it the entire codebase context
- Found and fixed 12 of 15 bugs accurately
- Estimated time saved: 5+ hours
Choosing Your AI Model
Cursor lets you choose which AI model powers it. Current options include:
- Claude Fable — best for complex reasoning and understanding large codebases
- GPT-4o — good all-around, slightly faster
- Claude Sonnet — fast and capable, good for simple tasks
- Cursor's own model — fast, included in subscription
I primarily use Claude Fable for complex work and Claude Sonnet for quick edits.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Features | |------|-------|---------| | Hobby | Free | 2000 completions, 50 chat messages/mo | | Pro | $20/mo | Unlimited completions, 500 premium requests | | Business | $40/user/mo | Team features, SSO, admin controls |
The free tier is genuinely useful for occasional use. Pro is worth it if you code regularly.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Codebase-aware context is a game-changer
- Composer handles complex multi-file changes
- Tab completion is the best available
- Works with any language and framework
- VS Code familiarity means instant onboarding
Cons:
- $20/mo is double GitHub Copilot's price
- Composer can go off-rails on complex features and needs correction
- Occasional slowness with large codebases
- Some users report it "over-suggests" (easy to ignore)
Is Cursor Worth $20/Month?
For professional developers: Yes. The time saved easily justifies the cost. If Cursor saves you 2 hours per week at even $50/hour rate, it pays for itself many times over.
For students or hobbyists: Start with the free tier. It's genuinely useful.
Final Verdict
Cursor is the best coding environment I've used. Composer alone changed how I think about building features. For any developer writing code daily, the $20/mo investment is obvious.
The one caveat: it still requires a skilled developer to guide it. Cursor amplifies your ability — it doesn't replace judgment.
Rating: 9.3/10