Cursor alternatives: 5 free & open-source picks

Curated, verified, and actually free. No trials, no crippled tiers. Star counts and last-activity dates checked by hand, not scraped and forgotten.

cursor $20/mothese $0PARCIALcan I vibecode it? the honest breakdown🛠️ herramientas de desarrollo
OpenCodeopen sourcedesktopclione-click install

Un agente de código local y rápido sin lealtad a ningún proveedor de modelos.

licenseMIT

runson your machine

installInstall script, Homebrew or npm

enginesDozens of providers through AI SDK and Models.dev, including hosted APIs and local OpenAI-compatible or Ollama-style backends

dataSource files stay local; credentials are stored under the user's OpenCode data directory and configuration under the config directory, while prompts and context go to the selected provider

the catch vs CursorIt is terminal-first and does not replace Cursor's full graphical editor, low-latency autocomplete and inline review experience.

setupTerminal comfort and a provider API key or local model server are required

facts verified 2026-08-10

Zedopen sourcedesktopone-click install

Un editor abierto y rápido con agentes integrados, no un disfraz de VS Code.

licenseGPL-3.0+

runson your machine

installDirect desktop download, Homebrew, winget or install script

enginesZed-hosted models, provider API keys or subscriptions, OpenRouter, Vercel AI Gateway, Bedrock, Ollama, LM Studio, OpenAI-compatible local servers and external ACP agents

dataSource files stay local; provider keys use the system keychain, while AI prompts and code context go to the selected provider or local model

the catch vs CursorIt requires changing editors and still has a smaller extension ecosystem and less mature AI autocomplete and indexing workflow than Cursor.

setupEditor installation is clean; AI needs a Zed account, provider subscription or key, gateway, or local model, and platform hardware support varies

facts verified 2026-08-10

Clineopen sourcedesktopcliextensionone-click install

Un agente de código en tu editor; la factura del modelo sigue siendo tuya.

licenseApache-2.0

runson your machine

installVS Code or JetBrains extension, or npm-installed CLI

enginesAnthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, Bedrock, Azure, Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, Ollama, LM Studio and OpenAI-compatible endpoints

dataCode stays in the working repository and task data is stored locally; prompts and selected code context go to the chosen provider unless a local backend is used

the catch vs CursorIt is an agent layered into an existing IDE rather than a cohesive AI-native editor, so autocomplete, indexing and composer-style interaction feel less integrated than Cursor.

setupSign in for Cline inference, bring an API key, or run and configure a local model

facts verified 2026-08-10

Gooseopen sourcedesktopclione-click install

Un agente de escritorio que edita y ejecuta código sin pretender que el modelo es gratis.

licenseApache-2.0

runson your machine

installDesktop installer or curl-installed CLI

enginesAnthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter, Azure, Bedrock and other providers; ACP can use supported model subscriptions

dataCode and files stay local; sessions and configuration are stored in Goose application data, while prompts and context go to the selected provider unless local

the catch vs CursorIt is a desktop or terminal agent, not a full editor with Cursor's fast tab completion, code navigation and integrated composer.

setupA provider subscription, API key or local model must be connected before the agent can work

facts verified 2026-08-10

Kilo Codeopen sourcedesktopcliextensionone-click install

Un único agente abierto en VS Code, JetBrains y la terminal; la inferencia igual se mide en algún lado.

last updated 2026-08-10 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real

the usual suspects · recommended everywhere, rejected here

ContinueAcquired by Cursor; the repo is read-only and 2.0.0 is the last release.

RefactThe original repo was archived and Refact Cloud was retired in May 2026.

Roo CodeThe extension shut down and the repo was archived on May 15, 2026.

at a glance
toollicenserunning itplatformsstarsactive
OpenCodeMITone-click installcli, macos, windows, linux193,6782026-08
ZedGPL-3.0+one-click installmacos, windows, linux88,1002026-08
ClineApache-2.0one-click installbrowser-extension, cli, macos, windows, linux65,8002026-08
GooseApache-2.0one-click installmacos, windows, linux, cli52,4002026-08
Kilo Codeopen sourceone-click installbrowser-extension, cli, macos, windows, linux26,7352026-08
Rather build it exactly your way? The one-shot prompt is free too.get the prompt →
why people still pay for Cursor

Pagan por velocidad: el agente ya está en el editor con valores predeterminados que funcionan. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $240 a year.

questions
Is there a free alternative to Cursor?

Yes: OpenCode, Zed, Cline and 2 more. Every tool on this page is either open source or genuinely free to use long-term: no trials, no crippled tiers.

Should I just build my own Cursor?

Our verdict is PARCIAL. Puedes armar una solución con VS Code y agentes de código abierto, pero el foso de Cursor es la experiencia de agente nativa del editor, el enrutamiento de modelos, los agentes en la nube, el manejo de contexto y la iteración rápida de producto. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at puedovibecodearlo.app/cursor.

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