AgentdexBlog · · Agentdex Editorial
Is Cursor Open Source? (2026 Answer)
No. Cursor (Agentdex profile) is a proprietary AI code editor. It is built on the open-source core of Visual Studio Code, but Cursor's own code, including its agent, models and AI features, is not published under an open-source license. Since August 14, 2026, Cursor has been owned by SpaceX. This guide explains why the confusion exists, what "built on VS Code" really means, and which open-source tools to look at if you need code you can inspect, fork or run with your own models. Facts were checked against official sources on October 24, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Cursor is not open source. You can download it for free, but you cannot read, modify or rebuild Cursor's own source code.
- It is a fork of VS Code. Microsoft publishes the core of VS Code (Code - OSS) under the MIT license, which allows companies to build closed products on top of it. Cursor did exactly that.
- Cursor is now part of SpaceX. SpaceX agreed to buy Anysphere, Cursor's parent company, on June 16, 2026 at an implied equity value of $60 billion, and the deal closed on August 14, 2026.
- Open-source options exist, such as Cline (Agentdex profile), Kilo Code and OpenCode as agents, and Zed (Agentdex profile) as an editor. Void, once the best-known open-source Cursor alternative, was archived in June 2026.
- "Free" is not the same as "open source". Cursor has a free plan, but paid plans run from $8 to $200 a month.
Why people think Cursor might be open source
Cursor looks and feels like VS Code. It imports your VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings, and its settings screens are familiar. Because VS Code's core is open source, many developers assume Cursor is too. It isn't. Cursor took the open-source base, added its own closed-source AI layer and ships the result as a proprietary product under its own terms of service.
This is completely legal. The MIT license lets anyone fork the code, change it and sell the result, as long as the original copyright notice is kept. It does not require the fork to publish its own changes. Microsoft's own VS Code download works the same way: the Code - OSS repository is MIT-licensed, while the Visual Studio Code product you download from Microsoft is released under a Microsoft product license.
What is open and what is closed
| Part | Open source? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VS Code core (Code - OSS) | Yes, MIT | The base Cursor is built on, maintained by Microsoft |
| Cursor's editor changes, agent and AI features | No | Proprietary, governed by Cursor's terms of service |
| Cursor's models and backend | No | AI features run through Cursor's cloud service and your Cursor account |
| Third-party components inside Cursor | Varies | Using open-source libraries inside a product does not make the product open source |
Does it matter that Cursor is closed source?
For many solo developers, not much. Cursor works out of the box, and what most people care about is whether it helps them ship. For some teams, though, a closed editor raises real questions:
- Auditability. You cannot inspect exactly what the app does with your code. You rely on Cursor's documentation, privacy settings and security reports instead.
- Model choice and cost. Cursor decides which models are available on which plan. On the Plus plan ($8/month) you only get Grok models; third-party models such as Claude and GPT need Premium ($30/month) or higher and are billed separately at API list price. See our Cursor pricing guide.
- Vendor direction. With a closed product, the owner sets the roadmap. Cursor's move to SpaceX, alongside a Plus plan that only includes Grok models, shows how fast that can change.
- Forking and freezing. With open-source tools you can pin a version, patch a bug yourself or keep using the code if the project changes direction. With Cursor you can't.
The SpaceX acquisition, briefly
SpaceX signed a merger agreement with Anysphere on June 16, 2026, at an implied equity value of $60.0 billion, paid in SpaceX stock. The deal completed on August 14, 2026, and Cursor now operates as a wholly owned SpaceX subsidiary, according to SpaceX's SEC filing and Cursor's own announcement. Nothing in either says Cursor will become open source.
Open-source alternatives to Cursor
If open source is a requirement, these are the main options as of October 2026. All of them let you bring your own model, including local models through tools like Ollama or LM Studio.
| Tool | What it is | License | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cline | AI coding agent for VS Code (and Cursor), JetBrains, CLI and desktop | Apache 2.0 | Actively developed |
| Kilo Code | AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, CLI and desktop | MIT | Actively developed |
| OpenCode | Terminal-first coding agent with many model providers | MIT | Actively developed |
| Zed | Fast standalone code editor with built-in AI features | Open source | Actively developed |
| Void | VS Code fork, once pitched as the open-source Cursor | Apache 2.0 | Archived June 2, 2026 |
| Continue | AI assistant extension for VS Code and JetBrains | Apache 2.0 | Acquired by Cursor; no longer an independent product |
The closest open-source match to the Cursor experience is plain VS Code with an agent like Cline or Kilo Code. You keep a maintained editor and choose your own models. Read our Cline guide, Kilo Code guide and what happened to Void, or see the full list of Cursor alternatives.
Trade-offs to expect if you switch
Open-source tools give you control, but they ask for more setup. You usually pick a model provider, add API keys or run a local model, and tune rules files yourself. Costs move from a fixed subscription to pay-per-use model bills, which can be cheaper or more expensive depending on how much you run the agent. Cursor's advantage is polish: install, sign in and its agent, tab completions and cloud agents work together. Our Cursor vs VS Code comparison covers that trade-off in detail.
How to decide
- Is open source a hard requirement for legal, security or procurement reasons? If yes, Cursor is out. Start with VS Code plus Cline or Kilo Code.
- Do you need local or self-chosen models? Open-source agents support any provider and local models. Cursor limits model access by plan.
- Do you just want the best out-of-the-box experience? Cursor may still be the right pick. Read its terms and privacy settings, and keep your work in Git so you can leave easily.
- Test before you switch. Run the same real task in both tools for a week. The free Vibe Coder Starter Kit includes rules files you can reuse across editors.
FAQ
Is Cursor open source?
No. Cursor is proprietary software. It is built on the MIT-licensed core of VS Code, but Cursor's own code, agent and AI features are closed source.
Is Cursor free?
Cursor has a free plan with a limited allowance. Paid plans are Plus ($8/month), Premium ($30/month), Super ($100/month) and Ultra ($200/month), plus Teams and Enterprise, as of October 24, 2026.
Who owns Cursor?
SpaceX. It acquired Anysphere, the company behind Cursor, in a deal that closed on August 14, 2026, at an implied equity value of $60 billion.
Can I self-host Cursor?
Not as an open-source build. Because the source code isn't public, you can't compile and run your own copy of Cursor. If you need software you can host and audit yourself, use an open-source agent such as Cline, Kilo Code or OpenCode.
What is the best open-source alternative to Cursor?
For most people, VS Code with Cline or Kilo Code. Both are open source, work with any major model provider and support local models. Zed is a good choice if you want a standalone open-source editor.
Is Void still an open-source Cursor alternative?
Not a maintained one. The Void repository was archived on June 2, 2026, and its README says the project is deprecated.
Written by Agentdex Editorial. Agentdex is an independent directory reviewing AI coding tools; we are not affiliated with the companies mentioned. Prices and features are as of October 24, 2026, from official sources linked above. Always confirm on the vendor's site.