Void — Cursor alternative
Void Editor is an open-source AI-powered code editor built as a fork of Visual Studio Code. It allows developers to harness the power of large language models while maintaining complete control over their data. Developers can use AI models locally or via APIs without routing data through proprietary servers. Solo developers get familiar VS Code experience with enhanced AI capabilities and complete data sovereignty.
Strengths
- Fully open-source and free to use, modify, and distribute
- Privacy-first design with no middleman backend servers
- Supports wide range of AI models including free options like Gemini, OpenRouter, Llama, DeepSeek, and Qwen
- Seamless VS Code migration with themes, keybindings, and settings transfer in one click
- Direct API integration with OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, and Ollama
- Local LLM support through Ollama integration for complete offline usage
Weaknesses
- Development currently paused while team experiments with novel AI features
- Smaller ecosystem compared to established editors
- Beta status with potential stability issues
- Limited official support channels
- Requires technical knowledge for advanced AI model configuration
Best for
Privacy-conscious developers who want open-source AI coding tools with full data control.
Pricing plans
- Free — $0 — Open source with unlimited usage
- Unknown — Additional pricing tiers information not available
Tech details
- Type: AI-powered code editor
- IDEs: Fork of Visual Studio Code
- Key features: Tab-based autocomplete, Ctrl+K inline editing, Ctrl+L contextual chat, file attachments
- Privacy / hosting: Self-hosted, local models supported, no proprietary server routing
- Models / context window: OpenAI GPT-4, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, Ollama local models, context size unknown
When to choose this over Cursor
- Complete data control and privacy are non-negotiable requirements
- Need to run AI models locally without internet connectivity
- Want open-source customization and community-driven development
When Cursor may be a better fit
- Need active development and frequent updates (Void development currently paused)
- Require enterprise-grade support and reliability
- Prefer polished user experience over customization flexibility
Conclusion
Void represents a compelling privacy-first alternative to proprietary AI coding tools. Among Cursor alternatives, it stands out for complete data sovereignty and open-source transparency. However, paused development creates uncertainty about future updates and feature additions. Best suited for developers prioritizing privacy and open-source principles over cutting-edge features.
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