# Cursor vs Trae

> Cursor: AI coding agent and VS Code-based editor for multi-file edits and cloud agents
> Trae: ByteDance's AI IDE and agent workspace that plans, codes and ships software tasks

- Cursor profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/cursor
- Trae profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/trae
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/cursor-vs-trae
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

Cursor and Trae are both Coding AI tools. Cursor scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.7 vs 7.6 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Cursor is available on CLI. Only Trae is available on Android.

### Choose Cursor if

- You want a tool built for Multi-file feature work, codebase-wide refactoring, delegating tasks to background agents, reviewing pull requests.
- Familiar VS Code-based editor with extension and keybinding support.
- Local and cloud agents that can run in parallel on multi-file tasks.

### Choose Trae if

- You want a tool built for delegating end-to-end coding tasks to an agent, building MVPs, and moving work between desktop, web and mobile.
- Permanent free tier with 5,000 autocompletions per month.
- Covers macOS, Windows and Linux desktops plus web, iOS and Android.

## Pricing

| | Cursor | Trae |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Cursor | Trae |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Agents | Yes | Not listed |
| Cloud agents | Yes | Not listed |
| Tab and inline edits | Yes | Not listed |
| Codebase indexing | Yes | Not listed |
| Model choice | Yes | Not listed |
| Bugbot code review | Yes | Not listed |
| CLI | Yes | Not listed |
| Slack app and iOS app | Yes | Not listed |
| Marketplace and rules | Yes | Not listed |
| Privacy mode | Yes | Not listed |
| IDE Mode | Not listed | Yes |
| SOLO / TRAE Work Agent | Not listed | Yes |
| Cloud Tasks | Not listed | Yes |
| Mobile Companion | Not listed | Yes |
| Large Context Windows | Not listed | Yes |
| Multi-Model Access | Not listed | Yes |
| Token-Based Usage | Not listed | Yes |
| Web Version | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Cursor | Trae |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | No | Yes |
| API | No | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| CLI | Yes | No |

## Cursor strengths

- Familiar VS Code-based editor with extension and keybinding support
- Local and cloud agents that can run in parallel on multi-file tasks
- Choice of models from several providers, including Cursor's own
- Covers editor, CLI, web, Slack, iOS and PR review in one product
- Privacy mode and SOC 2 and ISO certifications for team use

## Cursor limitations

- Third-party model usage is billed separately from the plan at API list price
- Pricing is bundled with Grok and uses weekly usage pools, which makes costs harder to predict
- No Android app, and the iOS app only controls local agents
- Indexing can be heavy on very large repositories

## Trae strengths

- Permanent free tier with 5,000 autocompletions per month.
- Covers macOS, Windows and Linux desktops plus web, iOS and Android.
- Up to 1M-token context in Max mode and up to 20 concurrent cloud tasks on Ultra.
- Agent workflow extends beyond coding to documents and analysis.
- SOC 2 certification is shown on the vendor's site footer.

## Trae limitations

- Free tier is limited to Auto mode and does not allow choosing models.
- Token-based usage makes monthly cost harder to predict than a flat request count.
- Pricing has changed several times in 2026 and older guides quote outdated figures.
- Changelog page shows "No update record yet", and the product is operated by ByteDance, which some organisations may restrict.

## FAQ

**Is Cursor better than Trae?**

It depends on your workflow. Cursor is built for Multi-file feature work, codebase-wide refactoring, delegating tasks to background agents, reviewing pull requests. Trae is built for delegating end-to-end coding tasks to an agent, building MVPs, and moving work between desktop, web and mobile.

**What are the key feature differences between Cursor and Trae?**

Cursor: AI coding agent and VS Code-based editor for multi-file edits and cloud agents. Trae: ByteDance's AI IDE and agent workspace that plans, codes and ships software tasks. Cursor is rated 5.0/5 from 1 user review.

**Does Cursor or Trae have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Cursor is freemium and Trae is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Cursor or Trae?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.