Trae vs Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

Trae and Windsurf (Devin Desktop) are both AI Coding tools (AI Code Editors). Below: what each costs, what it does well, its biggest catches, and who should pick which, all from public sources rather than our own testing.

Renamed: Windsurf is now Devin Desktop. Cognition renamed the editor, and windsurf.com now redirects to devin.ai/desktop. Sources: [1] [2]

Side by side

TraeWindsurf (Devin Desktop) Renamed
CategoryAI Coding Assistants · Development ToolsAI Coding Assistants · Code Editors
PricingFree tier: yes. Lite $8/mo, Pro $20/mo, Pro+ $60/mo, Ultra $200/mo. (checked Oct 11, 2026)Free tier: yes. Pro $20/mo. Teams from $80/mo ($40 full seats). (Third-party reports) (checked Oct 11, 2026)
Pros
  • ByteDance's VS Code-based AI IDE with chat, autocomplete and SOLO agent mode
  • Cheap entry plans: Lite $8/mo, Pro $20/mo with $20 usage
  • Pro includes unlimited autocomplete
  • Free plan with unlimited Tab completions and inline edits
  • Pro at $20/mo shares quotas across Desktop, CLI and cloud agents
  • Runs local and cloud coding agents from one editor
Catches
  • Independent researchers found telemetry continuing even after opt-out
  • Privacy mode still uploads embeddings temporarily
  • Usage is token-metered, with pay-as-you-go after the allowance
  • Over-quota usage is pay-as-you-go and hard to predict
  • Reviewers report inconsistent agent quality
  • The rebrands (Codeium, Windsurf, Devin Desktop) make docs and plans confusing
Best forBudget-minded devs on non-sensitive projects.Developers who want an agent-centric editor with a usable free tier.
Skip it ifYou work on proprietary or regulated code.You need fixed monthly AI costs.

Which should you pick?

Pick Trae if…

you fit this: budget-minded devs on non-sensitive projects.

But not if: you work on proprietary or regulated code.

Watch out for: Independent researchers found telemetry continuing even after opt-out.

Pick Windsurf (Devin Desktop) if…

you fit this: developers who want an agent-centric editor with a usable free tier.

But not if: you need fixed monthly AI costs.

Watch out for: Over-quota usage is pay-as-you-go and hard to predict.

More options

Sources

Trae

Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

Pros, catches and prices are compiled from public sources (official pricing and docs pages, published reviews, user reports), not hands-on testing. Prices change often, so check the vendor page before you buy.