JetBrains AI Assistant vs Windsurf

Comprehensive side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, performance, and more.

Updated April 2026

JetBrains AI Assistant

JetBrains s.r.o.

Intelligent coding assistance built into your workflow

0.0(0)

FREEMIUM

94% data quality

Windsurf

Cognition, Inc.

The intuitive AI coding experience for developers in flow.

0.0(0)

FREEMIUM

98% data quality

Trust & Reliability

JetBrains AI Assistant

Trusted by:Volkswagen, Citibank, BMW +7

GDPR

SOC 2

Windsurf

Users:1M-10M

Trusted by:JPMorgan Chase, Mercado Libre, athenahealth +4

SOC 2

HIPAA

Overall Winner: JetBrains AI Assistant

8.0/10 vs Windsurf at 7.5/10

Leads in:

Support

Ease of Use

AI Comparison Summary

JetBrains AI Assistant

8.0

avg score

Windsurf

7.5

avg score

JetBrains AI Assistant leads overall — particularly in Support & Ecosystem.

Based on 6 dimensions

How scores are calculated

Overall Winner

JetBrains AI Assistant

8.0 / 10

JetBrains AI Assistant

Best For

Accelerating software development in JetBrains IDEs

Improving code quality and maintainability

Automating repetitive coding tasks

Enhancing developer productivity for professional teams

Not Ideal For

Developers not using JetBrains IDEs

Users seeking a standalone AI coding tool

Individuals looking for a free AI coding assistant

Windsurf

Best For

Accelerating software development for engineers

Automating boilerplate and menial coding tasks

Building applications with AI assistance

Improving developer productivity in large codebases

Not Ideal For

Developers who prefer to use only open-source tools

Teams requiring full control over all AI model training data

Users who need web search functionality with strict zero-data retention

* Verdict is based on our algorithmic scoring of publicly available data. Learn about our methodology

JetBrains AI Assistant is best for

✍️Writing & Content9.0💬Chat & Conversation9.0🤖Automation & Agents9.0

Windsurf is best for

✍️Writing & Content9.0💬Chat & Conversation9.0🤖Automation & Agents7.0

Filter by your use case:

Pros & Cons

JetBrains AI Assistant

Pros

Deep integration with a wide range of JetBrains IDEs
Supports various AI models including user's own OpenAI API key
Offers flexible deployment options (local/cloud) for data control
Enhances productivity with context-aware coding assistance
Backed by JetBrains' enterprise-grade security and compliance

Cons

Requires a JetBrains IDE subscription to function
Not a standalone AI tool, dependent on IDE ecosystem
Pricing is an add-on or part of bundles, not a separate free tier
May have territory limitations for AI services

Windsurf

Pros

Offers powerful agentic AI (Cascade) for complex tasks
Provides intelligent code completion (Tab) across various IDEs
Supports multiple major AI models (GPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.)
Strong security and compliance with SOC 2 Type II, FedRAMP High, HIPAA
Flexible deployment options including Cloud, Hybrid, and Self-hosted
Includes zero-data retention policies for enterprise customers
Integrates with JetBrains IDEs and offers its own editor
Free tier available with unlimited Tab completions

Cons

Self-hosted tier does not support all cutting-edge products like Windsurf Editor or Cascade
Web search tool (Bing API) does not have zero data retention agreement
Turbo Mode auto-run commands are unavailable for Teams/Enterprise users by default
Some advanced features like remote indexing require data retention opt-in for Cloud deployments
The 'Windsurf Browser' feature was deprecated

Weighted Score — Adjust What Matters to You

Pick a profile or drag sliders — scores and radar update instantly on the right.

Quick profiles:

Ease of Use5

Output Quality5

Value for Money5

Customizability5

Support & Ecosystem5

Integration Power5

Dimension Comparison

JetBrains AI Assistant

8.0

/ 10

Your pick

Windsurf

7.5

/ 10

Dimension Breakdown

Ease of Use

How easy it is to get started and use daily

JetBrains AI Assistant

8.0▲ +1.0

Windsurf

7.0

Output Quality

Quality and accuracy of generated results

JetBrains AI Assistant

8.0

Windsurf

8.0

Value for Money

Cost vs. features and output quality

JetBrains AI Assistant

7.0

Windsurf

7.0

Customizability

Calculated

Ability to tailor to specific needs

JetBrains AI Assistant

9.0

Windsurf

9.0

Support & Ecosystem

Documentation, community, and support quality

JetBrains AI Assistant

9.0▲ +3.0

Windsurf

6.0

Integration Power

Calculated

Ability to connect with other tools and workflows

JetBrains AI Assistant

7.0

Windsurf

8.0▲ +1.0

Calculated = derived from verified integration count and API/open-source signals. AI = LLM-assessed from public website content. Methodology

Task Performance

JetBrains AI Assistant

Task

Windsurf

9.0

Code Completion

9.0

7.0

Bug Detection

7.0

8.0

Code Explanation

7.0

8.0

Refactoring

6.0

7.0

Test Generation

5.0

9.0

Multi Language Support

7.0

9.0

Context Understanding

9.0

7.0

Documentation Generation

7.0

Performance Optimization

6.0

Security Scanning

7.0

* Task scores (1–10) are algorithmically generated from publicly available data.

Data is sourced from public information and vendor websites. It may not always be up-to-date — verify pricing and features directly with the vendor before purchasing.Report inaccuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, JetBrains AI Assistant or Windsurf?

Both are strong options. JetBrains AI Assistant has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews), while Windsurf has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews). The best choice depends on your specific use case, budget, and workflow requirements.

Is JetBrains AI Assistant cheaper than Windsurf?

JetBrains AI Assistant starts at $10/month (freemium model) with a free trial. Windsurf starts at free (freemium model) with a free trial. Use the Cost Calculator above for a detailed estimate.

What are the main differences between JetBrains AI Assistant and Windsurf?

JetBrains AI Assistant — "Intelligent coding assistance built into your workflow". Windsurf — "The intuitive AI coding experience for developers in flow.". Key differences include their pricing models, platform support, integrations, and technical capabilities. See the Feature Comparison table above for a complete side-by-side breakdown.

Can I use JetBrains AI Assistant and Windsurf together?

Yes, many teams use both tools together for different purposes. Use the Stack Builder section above to combine JetBrains AI Assistant and Windsurf with other tools and save your AI toolkit.

Does JetBrains AI Assistant or Windsurf have a free plan?

JetBrains AI Assistant is available for free with a free trial. Windsurf is available for free with a free trial. Always verify current pricing directly with the vendor.

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