Amp — Cursor alternative

Amp by Sourcegraph is an autonomous coding agent that works directly in the browser or CLI. It can read your repo, generate test files, refactor large modules, document code, and even spin up new components — all while reasoning strategically about your codebase. Solo developers prefer it for unconstrained token usage and its ability to handle complex, multi-step tasks without interruption. The dual environment support lets developers code in their preferred development environment.

Strengths

No token constraints or usage limits during development tasks
Dual environment support: runs as both VS Code extension and CLI tool
Fully autonomous reasoning and task execution across entire codebases
Compatible with VS Code forks including Cursor, Windsurf, and VSCodium
CLI particularly effective for parallelizing lightweight tasks
Shared threads, context, and workflows for team collaboration

Weaknesses

Currently in research preview with expected rough edges
Launched in July 2025, making it relatively new with limited long-term track record
Enterprise pricing requires significant upfront investment
Limited documentation compared to established alternatives

Best for

Teams and developers who need unconstrained token usage for complex coding tasks

Pricing plans

Amp Enterprise — $1,000 USD one-time purchase — Grants $1,000 USD of usage credit and upgrades team to Enterprise
Amp Enterprise Premium — $5,000+ USD with invoice payments — Volume discounts available for $25,000+ USD purchases
Individual/Free tier pricing — Unknown

Tech details

Type: Agentic coding assistant with autonomous reasoning
IDEs: VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VSCodium
Key features: Autonomous task execution, codebase analysis, test generation, refactoring, code documentation
Privacy / hosting: Research preview from Sourcegraph - specific hosting details Unknown
Models / context window: Uses today's frontier models - specific models and context sizes Unknown

When to choose this over Cursor

You need unlimited token usage without constraints or interruptions
You prefer CLI-based development workflows alongside IDE integration
You require fully autonomous agents that can plan and execute complex multi-step tasks

When Cursor may be a better fit

You need a mature, stable platform with extensive documentation
You prefer predictable subscription-based pricing over enterprise credits
You require production-ready tools rather than research preview software

Conclusion

Amp represents the newest evolution in AI coding assistants, positioning itself as a fully autonomous agent rather than just an assistant. While still in research preview, it offers compelling advantages for teams needing unconstrained AI assistance. It shows real promise with unique and well-considered features that could set it apart from other Cursor alternatives as it matures. The dual CLI and IDE approach makes it particularly attractive for developers who want flexibility in their workflow.

Sources

FAQ

What makes Amp different from other Cursor alternatives?

Amp is engineered for outcomes with no token constraints, meaning developers can work on complex tasks without hitting usage limits. It functions as a fully autonomous agent that can plan, reason, and execute tasks across entire codebases rather than just providing code suggestions.

Can I use Amp in my existing development environment?

Yes. Amp runs in VS Code and compatible forks like Cursor, Windsurf, and VSCodium, plus it offers CLI functionality for terminal-based workflows. This dual approach lets you integrate it into your preferred development setup.

Is Amp ready for production use?

Amp is currently in research preview, so some rough edges are expected. While launched in July 2025 as the official successor to Cody, teams should evaluate their tolerance for preview software before adopting it for critical projects.

How does Amp's pricing work?

Amp Enterprise requires a $1,000 USD one-time purchase that grants $1,000 USD of usage credits and upgrades your team to Enterprise. Premium options start at $5,000+ USD with volume discounts available for larger purchases. Individual pricing details are currently unknown.

What kind of tasks can Amp handle autonomously?

Amp can read repositories, generate test files, refactor large modules, document code, and spin up new components. It can handle complex requests like adding features, running tests and fixing failures, planning architecture changes, and using multiple subagents for parallel work.

Do I need to learn a new interface to use Amp?

No new UI to learn, just powerful agent-driven coding integrated directly into your workflow. Amp works within your existing VS Code environment or command line, maintaining familiar development patterns while adding AI capabilities.

Amp