Cursor
Cursor is an AI-powered code editor built on VS Code that helps you write, edit, and chat with your codebase using advanced large language models for faster software development.
Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free, open-source code editor for Windows that provides a lightweight and highly customizable environment for writing and editing dozens of different programming languages efficiently.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cursor | Notepad++ |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cursor.com | notepad-plus-plus.org |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2022 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Paris, France |
Overview
Cursor
Cursor is an AI-native code editor designed to make you a more productive developer by integrating artificial intelligence directly into your workflow. Since it is a fork of VS Code, you can keep all your favorite extensions, themes, and keybindings while gaining powerful AI capabilities that understand your entire project structure. You can ask questions about your files, generate complex code blocks from natural language, and fix bugs with a single click.
The editor helps you navigate large codebases by indexing your files locally, allowing the AI to provide context-aware suggestions. Whether you are refactoring old code or starting a new project from scratch, you can use the built-in chat and 'Composer' features to automate repetitive coding tasks. It is built for individual developers and teams who want to spend less time on boilerplate and more time solving high-level problems.
Notepad++
Notepad++ is a versatile, open-source text and source code editor designed specifically for Windows users who need more power than a basic notepad. You can write and edit code in over 80 programming languages with features like syntax highlighting and code folding, making your development work much more organized. Because it is written in C++ and uses the pure Win32 API, you get incredibly fast execution speeds and a tiny application footprint that won't slow down your system.
You can customize your workspace with a tabbed interface to manage multiple files simultaneously and use powerful search-and-replace tools with regular expression support. Whether you are a student learning to code, a system administrator editing configuration files, or a professional developer, you can extend the software's capabilities through a massive library of community-created plugins. It remains completely free to use under the GNU General Public License.
Overview
Cursor Features
- AI Chat Chat with an AI that sees your entire folder and provides specific answers based on your current project context.
- Code Prediction Predict your next edit across multiple lines of code to breeze through repetitive changes and refactors instantly.
- Natural Language Editing Rewrite entire functions or blocks of code by simply describing the changes you want in plain English.
- Codebase Indexing Index your local files so the AI can find relevant code snippets and documentation across your whole repository.
- Terminal Integration Fix terminal errors automatically by letting the AI analyze the output and suggest the exact command you need.
- VS Code Import Import all your existing VS Code extensions and settings with one click for a familiar, customized setup.
Notepad++ Features
- Syntax Highlighting. Read your code more easily with color-coded syntax for over 80 languages, including C++, Java, HTML, and Python.
- Multi-View Editing. Work on multiple files at once using a tabbed interface or split your screen to compare two documents side-by-side.
- Search and Replace. Find and modify text across multiple files instantly using powerful regular expressions and bulk replacement tools.
- Auto-Completion. Speed up your typing and reduce errors with automatic completion for functions, parameters, and common words.
- Macro Recording. Automate repetitive editing tasks by recording your keystrokes and playing them back whenever you need to perform bulk updates.
- Plugin Manager. Extend your editor's functionality by installing community-made tools for FTP syncing, hex editing, and code formatting.
Pricing Comparison
Cursor Pricing
- 2,000 completions per month
- 50 premium model requests
- Unlimited basic model requests
- Public documentation access
- Standard support
- Everything in Hobby, plus:
- Unlimited completions
- 500 premium model requests/month
- Unlimited basic model requests
- 10 'Claude 3.5 Sonnet' uses/day
- Advanced codebase indexing
Notepad++ Pricing
- Full access to all features
- Support for 80+ languages
- Unlimited plugin installations
- Regular security updates
- Community-driven support
- Free for commercial use
- Free for personal use
- Access to source code
- No subscription fees
- No hidden costs
Pros & Cons
Cursor
Pros
- Deep understanding of local project context
- Familiar interface for existing VS Code users
- Significantly reduces time spent on boilerplate code
- Excellent integration of Claude and GPT models
Cons
- Requires high internet bandwidth for AI features
- Occasional hallucinations in complex logic
- Subscription cost is high for solo hobbyists
Notepad++
Pros
- Extremely fast startup and low memory usage
- Supports a massive variety of programming languages
- Highly customizable interface and keyboard shortcuts
- Completely free for both personal and commercial use
- Powerful search and replace with regex support
Cons
- Only available natively for Windows users
- User interface looks dated compared to modern editors
- Plugin management can be inconsistent at times