BBEdit vs Cursor

BBEdit is a text and HTML editor for writers, web authors, and software developers using macOS. Its tools include grep pattern matching, multi-file search and replace, syntax coloring, function navigation, code folding, and text completion. For web authoring, it provides HTML markup tools, standards-based syntax checking, and live previews of HTML and Markdown documents. A license adds Git and Subversion support, and licensed users can create in-app worksheets to converse with ChatGPT, Claude, and Ollama. Workflow options include AppleScript, macOS Unix scripting, Automator, Xcode as an external editor, and the Language Server Protocol. BBEdit can open and save text files on FTP and SFTP servers. Free Mode continues after the 30-day evaluation period, though some advanced features require a paid license. The listed BBEdit 16 Individual plan costs $59.99 as a one-time purchase. BBEdit 16 requires macOS 14.0 or later and supports Intel and Apple silicon Macs; Bare Bones says there are no Windows or Linux versions.

Cursor is a coding agent for building software, available as a desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux. Users can select models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, SpaceXAI and Cursor, and launch fleets of agents to work in parallel for hours or days. Cursor also runs in the terminal, collaborates in Slack and reviews GitHub pull requests. Cloud Agents integrate with Slack, GitHub, GitHub Enterprise Server, GitLab and Linear. The free Hobby plan includes limited Agent requests and Composer access. Pro costs $20 a month, and Teams costs $40 a month. Every plan includes model usage; on-demand usage can continue after the included amount is consumed and is billed in arrears. Privacy Mode is described as preventing training on customer data, with technical and contractual protections applied through model providers. Enterprise adds repository, model and MCP controls, audit logs and service accounts; pricing is custom and no fixed amount is listed. Cursor holds listed security certifications and attestations, and directs users to its forum or an email contact for private questions.