If you're comparing Replit vs Cursor, you're choosing between two fundamentally different approaches to AI-assisted development: a browser-based cloud IDE with built-in hosting versus a local AI-powered editor built on VS Code.
Both platforms excel at AI-assisted coding. The difference is where you work and what you're building.
What Each Platform Does
Cursor is a VS Code fork rebuilt around AI. You work locally with your files, your terminal, your Git setup. The AI assists through chat, inline completions, and an agent that can make multi-file edits. It's designed for developers who want deep AI integration without leaving their familiar workflow.
Replit is a cloud IDE that runs entirely in your browser. Your code, terminal, and deployed apps all live on Replit's infrastructure. Agent 3 can scaffold entire applications from natural language, install dependencies, and deploy—all without you touching local files.
Core Differences
Environment:
Cursor: Local files, local terminal, local Git. You own your development environment.
Replit: Everything runs in the browser. No local setup required, but you're working on Replit's servers.
AI Capabilities:
Cursor: Deep codebase awareness, multi-file refactoring, model flexibility (Claude, GPT, Gemini). Optimized for precision edits in large repositories.
Replit: Autonomous Agent 3 builds full-stack apps from descriptions. Better for greenfield projects and rapid prototyping.
Deployment:
Cursor: You handle deployment yourself—Vercel, AWS, or wherever you host.
Replit: One-click hosting built in. Your app is live the moment you deploy.
Collaboration:
Cursor: Standard Git workflows. Share via repos.
Replit: Real-time multiplayer editing. Multiple people in the same file simultaneously.
Pricing
Cursor Pro runs $20/month for unlimited AI requests with premium models.
Replit Core is $25/month, which includes AI features, private projects, and hosting credits. Published apps incur additional hosting costs based on usage.
Both offer free tiers with limited AI requests.
When to Choose Cursor
Pick Cursor if you:
Work on existing codebases that live on your machine
Need precise control over AI edits in large repositories
Want to choose your AI model (Claude, GPT, Gemini)
Prefer VS Code keybindings and extensions
Handle your own deployment and infrastructure
Cursor is the better choice for professional developers working on production codebases. The local-first approach means your code never leaves your machine unless you push it.
When to Choose Replit
Pick Replit if you:
Want to go from idea to deployed app as fast as possible
Don't want to manage local development environments
Need real-time collaboration with teammates
Are building new projects rather than maintaining existing ones
Prefer having hosting and deployment handled for you
Replit excels for prototyping, hackathons, and teaching. The zero-setup experience removes friction for beginners and teams that want to ship quickly.
The Hybrid Approach
Many developers use both. Prototype in Replit to validate ideas quickly, then move to Cursor (or another local setup) when the project matures and needs production-grade tooling.
The question isn't which is better—it's which fits your current task.
Beyond IDE-Based Development
Both Cursor and Replit keep you in an editor paradigm—AI assists while you code. The next evolution is giving AI its own computing environment where it can work independently: run scripts, browse the web, manage files, and execute multi-step tasks without constant supervision.
This is the approach behind AI runtimes like Zo Computer. Instead of augmenting your editor, you give AI access to a full server—terminal, filesystem, integrations, scheduled tasks—and let it handle entire workflows autonomously.
For developers evaluating AI coding tools, the real question isn't just "Cursor or Replit?" It's "how much autonomy do I want to give the AI?"
See more: Best AI coding assistant in 2025 | Cursor vs GitHub Copilot | Windsurf vs Cursor