PearAI

PearAI is a fork of VSCode that integrates AI-powered coding assistance. It replicates the VS Code interface while adding AI chat panels, command assistance, and inline suggestions. Solo developers benefit from its open-source nature and familiar interface. This makes it one of the notable Windsurf alternatives for developers seeking AI-enhanced coding tools.

Strengths

100% open-source with full access to source code on GitHub
Familiar VS Code interface with integrated AI chat panels and command assistance
Multiple AI interaction methods including Ctrl + L chat panel and Command + I assistance
Works with codebase context, specific folders, online docs, and terminal content for accurate results
Freemium pricing model suitable for both individual developers and teams
Chat history and model switching capabilities for flexible AI interactions

Weaknesses

PearAI Creator feature is still coming soon, limiting current project generation capabilities
Limited documentation compared to established alternatives
Based on Continue fork, which adds complexity to the development stack
Unknown long-term stability as a relatively new Y Combinator-backed project

Best for

Developers who want open-source AI coding tools with VS Code familiarity and customization flexibility.

Pricing plans

Free — Unknown pricing — Unknown limits
Pro — Unknown pricing — Unknown limits

Tech details

Type: AI-powered code editor
IDEs: Fork of VSCode with Continue submodule integration
Key features: AI chat, PearAI Creator (coming soon), AI debugging, inline suggestions, command assistance
Privacy / hosting: Open-source with local operation capabilities
Models / context window: Unknown specific models, unknown context size

When to choose this over Windsurf

You prefer open-source solutions with full code transparency and customization options
You want familiar VS Code interface without learning new editor paradigms
You need local operation capabilities for privacy-sensitive projects

When Windsurf may be a better fit

You require established documentation and mature feature sets for production work
You prefer comprehensive support and guaranteed service stability
You need proven enterprise-grade features and reliability

Conclusion

PearAI offers an open-source approach to AI-powered coding with VS Code familiarity. Its transparent development model appeals to developers who value customization and privacy. While some features like PearAI Creator remain in development, it provides a solid foundation for AI-assisted coding workflows. The platform serves as a viable option among Windsurf alternatives for developers prioritizing open-source tools.