VSCode vs Cursor: Which One Should You Choose?

In the world of modern development, having the right code editor can make a huge difference in productivity. Two names gaining attention lately are VSCode vs Cursor—but which one is right for you?

The Reigning Champion: Visual Studio Code (VSCode)

VSCode has dominated the coding landscape for years. It’s free, open-source, and packed with features that developers love—like IntelliSense, Git integration, debugging, terminal support, and a vast ecosystem of extensions. Whether you're working in JavaScript, Python, Go, or nearly any other language, VSCode has a robust set of tools for you.

Its active community and constant updates make it an evolving powerhouse for both beginners and experienced developers.

The Challenger: Cursor

Cursor is a newer entrant built on top of VSCode, but with AI-first functionality at its core. It’s designed to offer a seamless experience for developers who want to code faster using AI suggestions and in-editor assistance. Cursor enhances productivity by deeply integrating models like GPT to help you write, refactor, and understand code directly from your editor.

If you often find yourself Googling snippets or copying Stack Overflow answers, Cursor could significantly streamline your workflow.

Feature Comparison

Feature	VSCode	Cursor
Extension Ecosystem	Massive	Inherits from VSCode
AI Integration	Optional (via extensions)	Built-in and core to the experience
Performance	Optimized and reliable	Lightweight with additional AI tasks
Learning Curve	Beginner-friendly	Simple, but designed for AI-savvy users
Community Support	Large and active	Smaller but growing rapidly

Which One Is Better?

It really depends on what you're looking for. If you want flexibility, customization, and a mature ecosystem, VSCode is still hard to beat. On the other hand, if you're keen on embracing the AI revolution and want a coding assistant baked into your IDE, Cursor offers an exciting new direction.

Testing Your Code Seamlessly

No matter which editor you use, testing is essential. Keploy helps both Cursor and VSCode users by auto-generating test cases and mocks based on actual API traffic. It integrates smoothly into your workflow, ensuring robust software quality without slowing you down.

Final Thoughts

In the VSCode vs Cursor debate, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Developers who value a traditional, feature-rich IDE will gravitate toward VSCode, while those looking to embrace an AI-driven future may prefer Cursor. Try both and see which one elevates your workflow.