Bolt.new vs Windsurf
An honest, side-by-side comparison from the ToolHund editors — plus what the community actually votes for.
Bolt.new
Prompt to running web app in browser
Bolt runs Node + npm inside the browser via WebContainers, so you can prompt, edit and deploy without any local setup.
Visit Bolt.newWindsurf
Agentic IDE from Codeium
Windsurf (formerly Codeium) ships an agentic editor with Cascade — a flow-aware agent that keeps full context of your repo and your last actions.
Visit WindsurfWindsurf takes the ToolHund Score (83/100 vs 81/100) — but the right pick depends on your workflow.
Pick Bolt.new if you need: hackers prototyping js apps entirely in the browser. · Pick Windsurf if you need: devs who want a cursor alternative with strong free tier.
Which one should you pick?
- You need hackers prototyping js apps entirely in the browser.
- Your team fits: works for solo creators all the way up to small teams
- Learning curve OK: steep — expect a few hours to feel productive
- Pricing works: Free · Pro $20/mo
- You need devs who want a cursor alternative with strong free tier.
- Your team fits: works for solo creators all the way up to small teams
- Learning curve OK: steep — expect a few hours to feel productive
- Pricing works: Free · Pro $15/mo
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Bolt.new | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Code | Code |
| Pricing | Free · Pro $20/mo | Free · Pro $15/mo |
| Best for | Hackers prototyping JS apps entirely in the browser. | Devs who want a Cursor alternative with strong free tier. |
| Active users | 500K+ | 400K+ |
| Editor rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
- Browser-native Node runtime
- Edit & preview live
- Deploy to Netlify
- Mobile via Expo
- Cascade agent
- Repo-wide context
- Generous free tier
- JetBrains & VS Code
Which one would you pick?
Be the first to vote.
Why did you choose Bolt.new or Windsurf?
Share your real-world experience. No signup required.
Common questions
Is Bolt.new better than Windsurf?+
Windsurf scores 83/100 on the ToolHund rubric vs Bolt.new at 81/100 — but "better" depends on your workflow. Windsurf wins if you need devs who want a cursor alternative with strong free tier.
What is the pricing difference between Bolt.new and Windsurf?+
Bolt.new: Free · Pro $20/mo. Windsurf: Free · Pro $15/mo.
Can I use both Bolt.new and Windsurf together?+
Yes — many teams pair them. Use Bolt.new for hackers prototyping js apps entirely in the browser. and switch to Windsurf when you need devs who want a cursor alternative with strong free tier.
Who should avoid Bolt.new?+
Teams that need on-prem deployment or strict data-residency guarantees
Who should avoid Windsurf?+
Teams that need on-prem deployment or strict data-residency guarantees
Other Code comparisons
Keep comparing — see how Bolt.new stacks up against more tools in the same category.