Overview
Trae and Windsurf are both AI Coding tools, but they take different approaches. Trae: ByteDance's free AI-native IDE with chat, autocomplete, and an agent builder mode, positioned as a no-cost Cursor alternative. Windsurf: AI-powered code editor with agentic coding workflows.
Not every plan here is sold as a flat monthly price — check each official pricing page for current plans. Both offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Platform support also differs. Windsurf: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Which one fits depends on your workflow and budget. The table below lines up the verified facts, and the interactive comparison lets you put Trae, Windsurf, and any other tool side by side.
Side-by-side comparison
| Trae | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free | $20/month |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Pricing Type | Freemium | Freemium |
| Supported platforms | — | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Web | — | No |
| Mobile | — | No |
| API | — | No |
| Categories | AI Coding | AI Coding |
At a glance
Choose Trae if…
- its focus matches what you're building — see the overview above
Choose Windsurf if…
- its focus matches what you're building — see the overview above
Alternatives worth considering
Other tools in the same category.
GitHub's AI pair programmer for code completion inside your editor.
Best for Autocomplete inside your existing editor
An AI-first code editor built for pair-programming with AI.
Best for AI-first coding as your primary editor
Cloud coding platform with an AI agent that can build and deploy apps.
AI tool that builds full web apps from a text description.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Trae or Windsurf?
At least one of them doesn't sell a flat monthly plan, so there's no single number to compare — check both official pricing pages.
Do Trae and Windsurf have free plans?
Yes — both offer a free plan you can start with.
Do Trae and Windsurf offer free trials?
Neither lists a free trial.
Which is better, Trae or Windsurf?
There's no single answer — it depends on your use case and budget. Compare the verified facts above, then open the interactive comparison to line Trae and Windsurf up with any other tools you're considering.
Can I use Trae and Windsurf together?
Yes — nothing stops you from using both, and many people combine tools for different tasks. Add Trae and Windsurf to the AI stack builder to see what the combination costs per month.
What platforms do Trae and Windsurf run on?
Windsurf: Windows, macOS, Linux.
What are alternatives to Trae and Windsurf?
Popular alternatives include GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Replit, Lovable, Bolt — each has its own detail page on ToolScanner with verified pricing.
Where can I verify current pricing for Trae and Windsurf?
On each official website — providers change prices and plans at any time. ToolScanner shows the monthly-billing price as of our last verification, with the date on each tool's page.