Windsurf Free: Complete Guide to Windsurf's Free Tier (2026)
Is Windsurf free? Yes! Learn what's included in Codeium's Windsurf IDE free tier, its Cascade feature, and how to code smarter.
TL;DR
Windsurf offers a free tier with limitations. Limited Cascade flows per day. Want to make money while using Windsurf? Install Idlen and earn passive income during AI wait times.
What you get with Windsurf Free
Here's what's included in the free tier
Included Features
- Windsurf IDE (VS Code fork)
- Cascade multi-step flows
- AI code completions
- Chat with codebase
- Supercomplete suggestions
- Multi-file editing
Limitations
- Limited Cascade flows per day
- Standard model access
- Basic features only
- Community support
- No priority processing
Windsurf Free vs Paid
Compare free and paid plans to see what's best for you
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
Free | $0 |
|
| Windsurf Pro | $15/month |
|
| Windsurf Enterprise | Custom |
|
Make Windsurf Even More Free
Why just use Windsurf for free when you can actually EARN money while using it? Install Idlen and get paid for the wait time during AI responses.
How to Maximize Windsurf Free
Windsurf's free tier is competitive with paid alternatives. Here's how to get the most from it.
Best Practices for Free Users
- Master Cascade - Learn to structure multi-step requests effectively
- Use Supercomplete - It predicts your next action, not just code
- Leverage codebase chat - Ask questions about your entire project
- Save Cascade flows - Reuse effective patterns
Where Windsurf Shines
- Multi-step refactoring with Cascade
- Lighter resource usage than Cursor
- Clean, focused interface
- Great for resource-limited machines
Windsurf vs Cursor: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Windsurf Free | Cursor Free |
|---|---|---|
| Completions | Unlimited | 2,000/month |
| Multi-step AI | Cascade (limited) | Composer (limited) |
| Resources | Lighter | Heavier |
| Ecosystem | Growing | More mature |
🎁 Get Windsurf Pro for FREE with Idlen
Windsurf Pro costs just $15/month. Idlen users earn €30-100/month. That's 2-7x what you need!
How it works:
- Install the free Idlen extension
- Ads display during AI thinking time
- Code normally — nothing changes
- Your earnings pay for Windsurf Pro twice over
"Windsurf Pro + leftover cash every month. Idlen makes AI tools essentially free." — Developer experience
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything about Windsurf free tier
Other Free AI Tools
Explore more free options