More AI vs Windsurf
Windsurf is an agentic AI IDE with a subscription and a cloud account. More AI is a free desktop app: bring your own API keys, keep your data on your machine, and get a coding agent plus chat and document modes without adopting a new editor.
Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is an agentic AI IDE built around its Cascade agent, with its own and frontier models. It’s a polished, cloud-connected editor aimed at developers who want an AI-native coding environment.
More AI isn’t an IDE. It’s a local-first desktop assistant with a coding agent plus chat and document modes, using your own keys and keeping your data on your machine. If you want an AI editor with an autonomous agent, Windsurf is strong; if you’d rather keep your editor and stay local-first, here’s the comparison.
| More AI | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Desktop AI assistant (chat, documents, coding agent) | Agentic AI-first code editor (IDE) |
| Models | Any provider: Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Mistral, Groq, OpenRouter, local models | Windsurf’s own and major frontier models |
| What you pay | Free app; you pay your provider per use, at cost | Free tier with limits; paid subscription plus credits |
| Account | Optional — works fully without one | Account required |
| Where conversations live | On your machine, in local storage | Tied to your Windsurf account |
| Works offline | Yes, with a local model (e.g. via Ollama) | No |
| Beyond coding | Chat, document generation, scheduled routines | Focused on the coding workflow |
What is Windsurf?
Windsurf is an AI IDE whose Cascade agent can plan and make changes across your codebase, with deep editor integration and a mix of its own and frontier models. It’s a cloud-connected product on a subscription, accessed through a Windsurf account.
For developers who want an AI-native editor with a capable agent, it’s a strong option — and, like other IDEs, it means adopting that editor, a subscription and a cloud account.
What is More AI?
More AI is a free desktop app that runs on your computer. Its Code mode plans and applies changes on your repositories with your approval, alongside Chat and Cowork (file editing and Word/Excel/PowerPoint generation) and scheduled routines.
You bring your own keys across many providers including local models, your conversation history stays in local storage, and an account is optional. It’s an assistant you add to your existing setup rather than a new editor to move into.
When Windsurf is the better choice
Windsurf is the better pick in clear cases.
- You want a full AI IDE with an autonomous agent built into the editor.
- You want deep, editor-level codebase awareness and its frontier-model integration.
- You’re comfortable with a subscription and a cloud account.
When More AI fits better
More AI fits when you want to stay local-first and editor-independent.
- You want to keep your editor and add a desktop AI assistant beside it.
- You want chat and documents as well as a coding agent — or you’re not a developer.
- You want your data on your machine, BYO keys at cost and the option to run offline.
- You want a free app with no account required.
FAQ
Is More AI an IDE like Windsurf?
No. Windsurf is an AI code editor. More AI is a desktop assistant with a coding agent plus chat and document modes — you keep your own editor.
Can I use my own keys and models?
Yes. More AI is bring-your-own-key across many providers, including local models, and you choose the model per conversation.
Where is my data stored?
Your conversation history is stored on your own machine. With a cloud model, your messages go only to that provider; with a local model, nothing leaves your computer.
Do I need an account?
No — More AI works fully without one. An optional free account only powers cross-device sync.