Cursor is for developers who already work in VSCode and want AI help inside the editor instead of in a separate chat window. This page covers version 3.27.12 for Windows from Anysphere. The download goes to the official server downloads.cursor.com; we do not host the file.
A VSCode foundation with AI built in
What defines Cursor is its base. It is built upon VSCode, so the layout and habits of that editor carry over, and the publisher describes it as quick to learn. On top of that sits the AI layer, which the publisher presents as the point of the product.
It is categorized under AI tools and programming. It is free, and the license is proprietary.
What a typical session looks like
You install the 219 MB Windows build, open your code as you would in VSCode, and use the AI integrations the editor includes.
For details on AI models, usage limits, or paid plans, check the developer site at cursor.com before relying on it for daily work.
Cursor next to ChatGPT, Claude and local tools
The listed alternatives are ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Ollama, LM Studio and Jan. Most of them are chat assistants or tools for running models locally. Cursor differs because it is a full editor, an IDE, with the AI placed inside the code workspace.
If you only need answers to coding questions, a chat tool may be enough. If you want the assistance where the files live, Cursor fits that case better.
What's new in 3.27.12
The current build is version 3.27.12, released on October 23, 2026.
Cursor pros and cons
Pros
- Built upon VSCode, which the publisher says makes it quick to learn
- AI integrations are part of the editor itself
- Free to download
- Download is served from the official host downloads.cursor.com
- Updated on October 23, 2026
Cons
- Proprietary license, so the source is not open
- The 219 MB installer is sizable
- Model choices and usage limits are not detailed here
- Paid plans, if any, are only described on the developer site
Is Cursor safe?
Cursor is built by Anysphere, and the Windows build is served from the publisher's own domain, downloads.cursor.com, not from a copy we keep. It is proprietary software, so the source code cannot be inspected. Since it is an editor that works with your code, it is worth checking what project folders and AI features you allow it to use.
How to install Cursor
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Cursor from the Start menu.
