Cursor vs IntelliJ IDEA
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The capable and ergonomic Java IDE.
The verdict
Both Cursor and IntelliJ IDEA are credible ai coding tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Cursor — The AI-first code editor.
Choose IntelliJ IDEA if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.7/5). The capable and ergonomic Java IDE.
Cursor vs IntelliJ IDEA: side by side
| Dimension | Cursor | IntelliJ IDEA |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $20/mo | Free – $16.90/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Developers, Ai First Teams | Developers, Java Teams |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5Winner |
Cursor key facts
- Vendor
- Anysphere
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $20/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Best for
- Developers, Ai First Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
IntelliJ IDEA key facts
- Vendor
- JetBrains
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $16.90/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Windows, Mac, Linux
- Best for
- Developers, Java Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2001
- Headquarters
- Prague, Czechia
Frequently asked questions
Is Cursor better than IntelliJ IDEA?
Neither is universally better — IntelliJ IDEA edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cursor or IntelliJ IDEA cheaper?
Cursor is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $20/mo. Cursor starts at free – $20/mo; IntelliJ IDEA starts at free – $16.90/mo.
Can Cursor replace IntelliJ IDEA?
Yes for most teams — both are ai coding tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.