Gemini CLI vs Windsurf: Side-by-Side Comparison 2026

Gemini CLI vs Windsurf comparison 2026. Side-by-side features, pricing & capabilities.

Gemini CLI is a CLI-based coding agent from Google — open-source ai agent for your terminal. Windsurf is an AI IDE from Cognition — the agentic ai ide.

Gemini CLI

Open-source AI agent that runs in your terminal. Uses a ReAct loop with built-in tools for file operations, shell commands, web search, and MCP server support. Free with generous daily limits.

  • ✓ ReAct agentic loop
  • ✓ File operations and shell commands
  • ✓ Web search grounding
  • ✓ MCP server support
  • ✓ 1M token context window

Free / $19.99/mo · 4 plans

Windsurf

AI-first IDE with Cascade — an agentic assistant that understands your codebase and makes multi-file changes. Now owned by Cognition (makers of Devin). Also available as Windsurf Plugin for VS Code and JetBrains.

  • ✓ Cascade agentic AI
  • ✓ Code completions
  • ✓ Multi-file editing
  • ✓ Terminal integration
  • ✓ Codebase search

Free / $20/mo · 5 plans

Feature Gemini CLI Windsurf
Category CLIAI IDE
Starting Price Free Free
Model Family GeminiMulti-model
Documentation — ✓
Open Source Yes (Apache 2.0)No

Pricing verified Mar 20, 2026. Gemini CLI pricing | Windsurf pricing

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Key Differences

  • Category: Gemini CLI is a CLI-based coding agent; Windsurf is an AI IDE.
  • Starting price: Gemini CLI starts at $19.99/mo; Windsurf starts at $20/mo.
  • Model family: Gemini CLI uses Gemini; Windsurf uses Multi-model.
  • Open source: Gemini CLI: Yes (Apache 2.0). Windsurf: No.
  • Provider: Gemini CLI is built by Google; Windsurf is built by Cognition.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Gemini CLI if you want AI pair programming directly in your terminal. Choose Windsurf if you want an agentic IDE with autonomous multi-step changes. Read our full reviews to see which fits your workflow.

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