Zed - Windsurf Alternative for High-Performance Code Editing

Zed is a native code editor built in Rust with GPU acceleration. It features GPU rendering, Language Server Protocol (LSP), Tree-sitter, debugger support, AI assistance, and real-time collaborative editing. Solo developers prefer it for exceptional speed and responsive performance. The editor provides a complete agentic editing experience with flexible AI provider options.

Strengths

Incredibly fast performance with Rust core and GPUI framework for UI rendering
Flexible, privacy-first AI options supporting multiple providers and local models
True multiplayer collaboration with real-time collaborative editing
Free and open-source with extensive customization options
First-class modal editing via Vim bindings with advanced features
Multi-buffer editing, remote development, and Git integration

Weaknesses

Windows version is in development (currently Linux and macOS only)
Requires Vulkan 1.3 driver for graphics acceleration
Smaller extension ecosystem compared to established editors
Limited AI prompt quotas on free tier

Best for

Developers who prioritize performance and want flexible AI integration options.

Pricing plans

Free — $0/month — 50 AI prompts per month
Pro — $20/month — 500 AI prompts per month

Tech details

Type: Native code editor
IDEs: Standalone editor (native application)
Key features: GPU rendering, LSP, Tree-sitter, debugger with DAP support, AI assistance, MCP, Git integration, multi-buffer editing, remote development
Privacy / hosting: Use hosted LLM quota, own API keys, or local models with Ollama
Models / context window: Claude 3.7 Sonnet and others, context size varies by provider

When to choose this over Windsurf

You need maximum editor performance and responsiveness
You prefer open-source solutions with full customization control
You want flexible AI provider options including local models

When Windsurf may be a better fit

You require extensive Windows support immediately
You need a larger ecosystem of pre-built extensions
You prefer higher AI usage limits without additional cost

Conclusion

Zed offers exceptional performance for developers seeking Windsurf alternatives. Its Rust architecture and GPU acceleration deliver superior responsiveness. The flexible AI integration and collaborative features make it compelling. Free and open-source nature provides long-term value for teams prioritizing customization.