Practical AI for everyday use
Cursor
Best AI code editor
Powerful for developers who want AI to work across a codebase.
Rating
8.9
Cost
£20+
Pricing type
Freemium
Free plan
Yes
What this tool does well
Cursor is an AI-first code editor, so it sits in a slightly different space from GitHub Copilot.
Rather than adding AI into an existing coding workflow, Cursor puts AI closer to the centre of the editing experience. That makes it interesting for developers who want to build, edit and refactor with AI support built into the environment.
The appeal is that you can work with code in a more conversational way. You can ask questions about a codebase, request changes, generate files, fix errors and get help understanding what is happening across a project.
For developers, that can feel powerful. Instead of copying bits of code into a separate chatbot, the AI has more context around the project. That can make it more useful for larger changes and codebase-level work.
Rather than adding AI into an existing coding workflow, Cursor puts AI closer to the centre of the editing experience. That makes it interesting for developers who want to build, edit and refactor with AI support built into the environment.
The appeal is that you can work with code in a more conversational way. You can ask questions about a codebase, request changes, generate files, fix errors and get help understanding what is happening across a project.
For developers, that can feel powerful. Instead of copying bits of code into a separate chatbot, the AI has more context around the project. That can make it more useful for larger changes and codebase-level work.
Who this tool suits
Cursor is especially interesting for people building apps, prototypes or web projects. It can help move faster when you have a clear idea of what you want and enough coding knowledge to review what it produces.
But this is not a beginner magic button. If you do not understand the code, Cursor can still lead you into confusion. It may create changes that look convincing but introduce problems. You need to test, review and understand the direction of the project.
There is also a mindset shift. Some developers may love an AI-first editor. Others may prefer their existing setup with an assistant added on. That is personal, and it depends on how you like to work.
For non-developers, Cursor may look tempting because people share impressive demos of building apps quickly. But I would be cautious. It can help a lot, but it does not remove the need to understand structure, errors, deployment and maintenance.
But this is not a beginner magic button. If you do not understand the code, Cursor can still lead you into confusion. It may create changes that look convincing but introduce problems. You need to test, review and understand the direction of the project.
There is also a mindset shift. Some developers may love an AI-first editor. Others may prefer their existing setup with an assistant added on. That is personal, and it depends on how you like to work.
For non-developers, Cursor may look tempting because people share impressive demos of building apps quickly. But I would be cautious. It can help a lot, but it does not remove the need to understand structure, errors, deployment and maintenance.
What to watch for
Who should try it first: developers, serious coding learners, app builders and people working on web projects or larger codebases.
Try this task
Review this small feature request and list the files, risks and tests before making changes.
Try this prompt
Plan this code change before editing anything. List likely files, assumptions, risks and tests.
Skip it if
You want a no-code shortcut without understanding deployment or maintenance.
What to check before paying
Check plan limits, privacy settings, codebase access and how changes are reviewed.
Nova9 View
Cursor is exciting if you code or are learning seriously. It can speed up development, but I would not sell it as “anyone can build anything instantly”. It is powerful, but it still needs a capable human in the chair.
Official source
Last checked
2026-07-21
