How to generate UI with Cursor and v0
Learn how to generate UI components with Cursor Composer and v0, and see it in action with a simple demo.
Refined
In 2024, AI coding assistants have become essential tools for developers of all skill levels. Two of the most popular ones are Cursor and GitHub Copilot.
Both aim to do the same thing: help you write code faster and more efficiently. But which one should you choose? Let's compare them to help you decide.
Cursor website
Cursor is an AI code editor that's a fork of Visual Studio Code. It offers deep AI integration, providing features like code generation, inline suggestions, and multi-file editing.
GitHub Copilot website
GitHub Copilot is an AI pair programmer that integrates into various code editors. It focuses on providing code suggestions and completions based on the context of your project and code available on GitHub.
Cursor offers context-aware code suggestions and can generate entire code blocks. Cursor Composer allows for editing multiple files at once or generating full applications.
Cursor Composer window
GitHub Copilot provides line-by-line code completions and can generate code snippets based on your code and comments.
Cursor features deep AI integration within its standalone editor, allowing for more advanced coding tasks.
GitHub Copilot integrates as an extension in existing editors, focusing primarily on code suggestions and completions.
Cursor builds a knowledge graph of your entire codebase, providing more context-aware suggestions.
GitHub Copilot relies on the open tabs in your editor and GitHub's vast code repository for context.
Cursor is a standalone editor, which comes with an entirely new workflow, whether you're using the AI Pane or Composer. However, if you're coming from Visual Studio Code, it's easier to get started.
GitHub Copilot integrates with various popular IDEs, such as JetBrains, Visual Studio, Neovim, etc. This makes it easier to adapt to it using your current editor.
Cursor may have a steeper learning curve due to its unique features. You can refer to our guide on setting up Cursor and our newsletter where we share more tips and tricks.
GitHub Copilot is generally easier to start using, especially if you're already familiar with your current IDE.
Both Cursor and GitHub Copilot support a wide range of programming languages. If you're coding in a popular language (Python, JavaScript, PHP, etc.), either will work well.
Cursor pricing
Cursor offers a free plan with limited usage, a Pro plan at $20/month with unlimited completions and a Business plan at $40/user/month.
GitHub Copilot pricing
GitHub Copilot has a free tier for students, teachers, and maintainers. Otherwise, it's priced at $10/month for individual developers, with enterprise options available.
Cursor offers a generous free tier that's more than enough for casual use. If you're coding every day, the Pro plan is great value, considering the time you'll save.
While Cursor allows using your own API keys on the free tier, you'll have a much better experience with Cursor Pro.
The main differences is in their approach to AI integration. Cursor offers a standalone editor with deep AI integration, while GitHub Copilot functions as an extension in existing IDEs.
Both tools can sometimes generate incorrect or irrelevant code (hallucinations) due to limitations in their understanding of the full context.
This is more common when working with complex or unique codebases that are significantly different from their training data.
To minimize hallucinations:
If you already integrated Copilot in your workflow, it's not necessary to make the switch immediately.
However, you can always try Cursor for free and see if it fits your workflow better.
Choosing between Cursor and GitHub Copilot depends on your specific needs, workflow, and preferences. If you're looking for an AI code editor with advanced features, Cursor might be the better choice.
On the other hand, if you prefer working in your existing IDE and want quick code suggestions, Copilot could be more suitable.
Consider trying both to see which one is better for your development style and needs.
Learn how to generate UI components with Cursor Composer and v0, and see it in action with a simple demo.
Learn all Cursor keyboard shortcuts for Composer, AI Pane, Settings, and more. Improve your productivity with this guide to essential hotkeys for Cursor.