Void

Void is an open source Cursor alternative that offers full privacy and fully-featured AI coding assistance. It connects directly to AI providers without retaining user data. Built as a fork of VSCode, Void makes it easier for developers already familiar with VSCode to adopt. Solo developers benefit from complete data control and the ability to host models locally without intermediaries.

Strengths

• Direct provider connections without data retention or middleman services
• Local model hosting support for DeepSeek, Llama, Gemini, Qwen, and other open source models
• Direct access to latest models including Gemini 2.5, Claude 3.7, Grok 3, and o4-mini
• Fork of VSCode repository making it familiar for existing VSCode users
• Full source code availability for community contributions and transparency
• SSH and WSL support for remote development environments

Weaknesses

• Ongoing project that has yet to reach full feature maturity
• Complex codebase based on OOP patterns and legacy DOM mounting makes contributions difficult
• Limited extension marketplace access due to Microsoft's closed-source restrictions
• Smaller community and ecosystem compared to established alternatives
• May require technical setup for local model hosting

Best for

Privacy-conscious developers who want full control over their AI coding data and models.

Pricing plans

• Free — $0/month — Open source with full features
• Unknown commercial pricing plans

Tech details

• Type: AI-powered code editor
• IDEs: VSCode fork with familiar interface
• Key features: Tab-based autocomplete, inline editing (Ctrl+K), contextual queries (Ctrl+L), Agent Mode (full read/write operations), Gather Mode (read-only exploration), checkpoints for LLM changes
• Privacy / hosting: Self-hosted options available, direct provider connections without data retention, local model hosting supported
• Models / context window: Claude, GPT, Gemini direct integrations, supports DeepSeek, Llama, Qwen, and other open source models, context window varies by model

When to choose this over Windsurf alternatives

• You require complete data privacy and want direct provider connections without intermediaries
• You prefer hosting open source models locally to avoid API credit limitations
• You value open source transparency and want to contribute to the codebase

When Windsurf may be a better fit

• You need a mature, production-ready solution with extensive community support
• You prefer a polished user experience over bleeding-edge features
• You want comprehensive documentation and established workflows

Conclusion

Void emphasizes privacy, customization, and community involvement as an open-source alternative in the AI coding space. Its direct provider connections and local hosting capabilities appeal to developers who prioritize data control. While still maturing as a project, Void offers compelling privacy-first features for solo developers seeking Windsurf alternatives.

Sources

• Official site
• GitHub repository