If you are a solo developer who prioritizes AI-driven features and requires advanced code completion, Cursor is the way to go. Its best-in-class AI capabilities and seamless integration with the VS Code ecosystem make it perfect for AI-first developers. However, if you’re conscious about budget and your use of AI is infrequent, you might be better off skipping this tool due to potential costs associated with heavy AI utilization.
On the other hand, if you need a fast, collaborative environment and appreciate open-source software, opt for Zed. Its exceptional performance and real-time collaborative features are ideal for performance-sensitive developers who value speed over extensive extensions. Just be cautious if you rely heavily on Windows, as its support is still in preview and not fully mature.