Windsurf vs Amazon Q Developer
vs 
A detailed comparison of Windsurf and Amazon Q Developer in 2026 — features, pricing, and which tool is right for you.
| Windsurf | Amazon Q Developer | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5/5 | ★ 4.1/5 |
| Pricing type | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $19/mo |
| Category | AI Coding Assistants | AI Coding Assistants |
| Founded | 2021 | 2023 |
| Key features | Autonomous Cascade agent, Understands your entire codebase, Autocomplete | Code suggestions, AWS integration, Security scanning |
Windsurf
AI IDE with an autonomous agent (by Codeium)
Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is an AI-first editor built around "Cascade" — an agent that can execute multi-step tasks, run commands, and edit code across files. A direct competitor to Cursor.
Pros- Powerful, self-driving agent
- Solid free plan
- Cheaper than competitors
- Still relatively new
- Agent occasionally goes off track
Amazon Q Developer
Amazon Web Services' AI coding assistant
Amazon Q Developer is an AI assistant that helps write code, debug, and optimize applications, with deep integration into AWS services.
Pros- Strong AWS integration
- Free tier available
- Strong security
- AWS-centric
- Steep learning curve
Windsurf vs Amazon Q Developer: Which one should you choose?
If you prioritize powerful, self-driving agent, Windsurf is worth considering. Conversely, if strong aws integration matters more to you, go with Amazon Q Developer. Both offer a free trial option, so it is best to try them out yourself before deciding.