The best open source alternative to Windsurf is Zed. If that doesn't suit you, we've compiled a ranked list of other open source Windsurf alternatives to help you find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Windsurf are: Aider, Tabby, Kilo, and CodeEdit.
Windsurf alternatives are mainly AI Coding Assistants but may also be AI-Powered Editors or General Purpose Editors. Browse these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Windsurf.
A Rust-built code editor from the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, combining native performance with multiplayer collaboration and deep AI integration.

Zed is a code editor built from scratch in Rust, designed to make full use of multiple CPU cores and your GPU. The result is an editor that feels noticeably faster than most alternatives at startup, during file navigation, and while typing. It comes from the team behind Atom and Tree-sitter, and that experience shows in how carefully each feature is implemented.
The AI integration goes well beyond a chat sidebar. Zed lets you run multiple agents in parallel across different projects, delegate tasks and watch changes happen live, and bring in models from providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, or others via ACP. If you prefer a lighter touch, the inline assistant lets you send selected code directly to a model for transformation without breaking your flow. Edit prediction, powered by Zeta (an open-weight model), anticipates your next edit as you type. Tools like Aider take a similar agentic approach, but Zed does it natively inside the editor itself.
Collaboration is built in at a deep level. You can code with teammates in real time, share your screen and project, and chat without leaving the editor. Remote development is also supported: the UI runs locally while the actual codebase lives on a remote server.
Key capabilities include:
Zed targets developers who've felt the sluggishness of Electron-based editors and want something that keeps up with how fast they think. It's a strong alternative to editors like CodeEdit for macOS users who want a native feel, but with broader platform support (macOS, Linux, and Windows) and a more mature feature set. The combination of raw speed, real-time collaboration, and deep AI tooling in a single editor is what makes it stand apart.
Modern auth infrastructure for developers. Add multi-tenancy, enterprise SSO, and RBAC to your SaaS or AI apps.
Get started for freeTerminal-based AI coding tool that lets you edit existing codebases or start new projects using LLMs like Claude, GPT, and DeepSeek.

Aider brings AI pair programming directly into your terminal, letting you work with large language models on real codebases. It's built for developers who want to stay in their existing workflow rather than switching to a new editor or browser-based tool.
You point Aider at your project directory and start a conversation. It reads your files, understands the structure, and makes targeted edits across multiple files at once. Changes are applied directly to your code, not pasted into a chat window for you to copy manually.
Key capabilities:
Compared to IDE plugins or browser-based AI coding agents, Aider is lightweight and editor-agnostic. It fits into any setup that has a terminal. The open source model means no subscription lock-in, and you control which LLM backend you use.
It's a practical choice for developers who want AI assistance without giving up their existing tools or paying for a bundled editor.
Self-hosted AI coding assistant that enhances productivity with context-aware suggestions and privacy-focused implementation.

Tabby is a revolutionary self-hosted AI coding assistant that transforms the way developers write code. By leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, Tabby provides intelligent, context-aware code suggestions that seamlessly integrate into your existing workflow.
Key benefits of Tabby include:
By combining the power of AI with the control and security of self-hosting, Tabby empowers developers to write better code faster while maintaining full ownership of their development process.
Open source AI coding agent with 500+ models, bring-your-own-key support, and specialized modes for writing, debugging, and planning code across IDEs and CLI.

Kilo is an AI coding agent that works inside VS Code, JetBrains, the command line, and a hosted cloud environment. It's built for developers who want full control over their AI setup: bring your own API keys at zero markup, use local models to keep code private, or route through Kilo's model gateway to access 500+ models.
The agent ships with five specialized modes, each suited to a different part of the development workflow:
Switching between modes doesn't mean switching tools. Everything runs in the same agent, in the editor or terminal you're already using.
Kilo also includes KiloClaw, a managed version of the OpenHands open agent platform. It deploys in under 60 seconds with no Docker, SSH, or config files required. Once running, KiloClaw connects to Telegram, Discord, or Slack, handles scheduled tasks and cron jobs, and acts on your behalf autonomously. It's the part of Kilo designed for background work: running tasks while you're away, automating repetitive operations, or handling code review in the cloud.
For teams comparing options, Kilo positions itself against tools like Cline and Roo Code as a more fully integrated alternative with broader model support and cloud agent capabilities built in. The codebase is Apache-2.0 licensed and fully open source.
A lightweight, natively built editor. Open source and free forever. Develop any project using any language at speeds like never before.

CodeEdit is an exciting new code editor written entirely and unapologetically for macOS. Develop any project using any language at speeds like never before with increased efficiency and reliability in an editor that feels right at home on your Mac.
It is not meant to replace Xcode but rather supplement it for projects not intended for Apple platforms. We believe every type of developer deserves a great experience and excellent performance.
Key features:
PearAI integrates cutting-edge AI tools into a powerful code editor, accelerating your coding process with features like AI chat and inline prompts.

PearAI is an innovative open-source AI-powered code editor designed to supercharge your development process. By seamlessly integrating a curated selection of the best AI tools, PearAI offers a unique coding experience that feels like magic.
Key features:
PearAI stands out by offering:
Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, PearAI's intuitive interface and powerful AI capabilities will help you write better code faster. Experience the future of coding with PearAI and transform your development process today.
Messaging Infrastructure for Developers. One API for SMS, WhatsApp, and RCS across 190+ countries.
Get Started FreeAdvanced AI coding assistant that helps enterprise teams write, fix, and maintain code with enhanced accuracy and consistency across large codebases

Cody is a powerful AI coding assistant designed specifically for enterprise development teams. It goes beyond basic code completion by providing intelligent assistance for writing, fixing, and maintaining code across complex codebases.
Key benefits include:
Trusted by major companies like Indeed, Dropbox, Reddit, and Uber, Cody helps development teams accelerate their workflow while maintaining high code quality standards.