Onlook vs Windsurf
A side-by-side comparison of two ai coding tools — pricing, integrations, and the trade-offs that matter — so you can pick the right fit fast.
| Feature | Onlook | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Coding | AI Coding |
| Pricing | Freemium · from Free | Freemium · from Free + paid plans |
| Best for | Developers, Designers | Developers |
| Use cases | Visually editing React app UI in real time, Bridging design and development workflows, Making live code changes through a visual interface | making multi-file code changes via AI agent, autonomously implementing feature requests, navigating large unfamiliar codebases |
| Integrations | React, GitHub | Git, Terminal, npm/package managers |
| Rating | — | — |
| Website | Visit Onlook | Visit Windsurf |
Onlook
Open-source AI visual editor for React apps with live code editing.
Pros
- +Open-source and free to self-host or contribute to
- +Live visual editing syncs directly with React code
- +Bridges the gap between design and development tools
Cons
- –Currently focused specifically on React applications
- –Newer open-source project with an evolving feature set
Windsurf
Agentic AI code editor with whole-project awareness.
Pros
- +Whole-project context for multi-file changes
- +Agentic mode can plan and execute tasks autonomously
- +Built on a familiar editor experience
- +Fast iteration for larger codebases
Cons
- –Agent actions need review before trusting in production
- –Resource use can be higher than simple autocomplete tools
- –Newer product still evolving rapidly
Onlook vs Windsurf FAQ
- Is Onlook better than Windsurf?
- Neither is universally better — both are ai coding tools. Onlook (Freemium, from Free) is a strong fit for Visually editing React app UI in real time, while Windsurf (Freemium, from Free + paid plans) suits making multi-file code changes via AI agent. Pick by your primary use-case and budget.
- What is the main difference between Onlook and Windsurf?
- Onlook focuses on "Open-source AI visual editor for React apps with live code editing." whereas Windsurf focuses on "Agentic AI code editor with whole-project awareness.". Their pricing starts at Free and Free + paid plans respectively.
Still unsure? Describe your task and let the matcher decide.
Run the AI matcher