Zed

Zed

Zed is a high-performance, multiplayer code editor from the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter. It adds a uniquely powerful interface for agentic engineering. The editor doesn't lock you into one model, giving you the fastest way to collaborate with any agent. Solo developers benefit from its speed-focused design and flexible AI integration options that avoid vendor lock-in.

Strengths

• World's fastest AI code editor with open-source AI features
• Multi-model AI support without vendor lock-in across different LLM providers
• Real-time multiplayer collaboration with integrated chat and screen sharing
• Built-in Vim bindings with advanced features like text objects and marks
• Model Context Protocol (MCP) support for external data source integration
• Open-source codebase built with Rust for high performance

Weaknesses

• Newer editor with smaller ecosystem compared to established alternatives
• Limited monthly prompts on free plan (50 prompts) and paid plans
• May require learning curve for developers accustomed to VS Code or other established editors
• Usage-based pricing complexity with spend limits and opt-in requirements

Best for

Developers seeking maximum performance with flexible AI model choices and real-time collaboration features.

Pricing plans

• Free — $0/month — 50 AI prompts per month
• Pro — $20/month — 500 AI prompts per month
• Enterprise — Custom pricing — Custom needs for larger teams
• Pro Trial — Free for 2 weeks — 150 prompts and unlimited edit predictions

Tech details

• Type: Native code editor (Rust-based)
• IDEs: Standalone editor with extensions ecosystem
• Key features: Inline Assistant, Edit Prediction, Agent Panel, Model Context Protocol support
• Privacy / hosting: Desktop application, local installation with cloud AI services
• Models / context window: Claude 3.5 Sonnet and other LLMs, variable context windows with Burn Mode for enhanced reasoning

When to choose this over Cursor

• You need maximum performance and speed in an AI code editor
• You want flexibility to use different AI models without vendor lock-in
• Real-time collaboration with teammates is essential to your workflow

When Cursor may be a better fit

• You prefer a more mature ecosystem with extensive third-party integrations
• You need more than 500 AI prompts per month without usage-based billing complexity
• You want an editor built specifically around a single, highly-optimized AI coding experience

Conclusion

Zed positions itself as a serious challenger to VS Code and JetBrains with regular feature updates and transparent costs. For developers needing lightning performance plus on-premises AI agents without vendor lock-in, Zed offers a compelling option. Among Cursor alternatives, Zed stands out for its performance-first approach and collaborative features. The editor has gained attention from leading AI practitioners, with Anthropic developers using it daily.

Sources

• Official site: https://zed.dev
• Docs: https://zed.dev/docs/ai/overview
• Pricing: https://zed.dev/pricing