IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA, developed by JetBrains, is a versatile standalone tool available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports various large language models including GPT-5, Gemini 2.0, Llama 4, and Mistral Enterprise. A key feature is the JetBrains SLMs, which offer custom models for enhanced performance. With a substantial context window of 200k tokens, IntelliJ IDEA supports local inference, providing superior computational efficiency and privacy. The tool also offers comprehensive terminal access and agentic editing capabilities across multiple files. Certified with SOC2 Type II, IntelliJ IDEA ensures enterprise-grade security. It offers a free tier and uses a .intellij-ai-config file for configuration. However, users should note that migration requires setup.
Pros
- ✓ Supports multiple LLMs including GPT-5 and more.
- ✓ Local inference for enhanced privacy and performance.
- ✓ Full terminal access and multi-file editing.
- ✓ Free tier available.
Cons
- ✕ Migration requires setup.
- ✕ Limited to JetBrains SLMs for custom models.
Windsurf
Windsurf is a standalone application compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It features the proprietary SWE-1.5 model but also supports user-provided models for greater flexibility. Although it does not support local inference, Windsurf offers a seamless migration process, making it easy for users to transition. With a context window of 200k tokens, it facilitates efficient processing of large datasets. Like IntelliJ IDEA, it provides full terminal access and multi-file agentic editing. Windsurf adheres to a standard privacy policy and holds a SOC2 Type II certification. Users can access a free tier, with a pricing model that extends up to $30 per month, and configuration is managed via a .windsurfrc file.
Pros
- ✓ Supports user-provided models.
- ✓ Seamless migration process.
- ✓ Full terminal access and multi-file editing.
- ✓ Free tier available.
Cons
- ✕ No local inference support.
- ✕ Higher cost for premium features.
Comparison Table
| Feature | IntelliJ IDEA | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | JetBrains | Windsurf |
| Supported Llms | GPT-5, Gemini 2.0, Llama 4, Mistral Enterprise, JetBrains SLMs | SWE-1.5, User-provided models |
| Custom Model | JetBrains SLMs | SWE-1.5 |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free/Pro | Free – $30/mo |
| Config File | .intellij-ai-config | .windsurfrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Seamless |
Conclusion
Both IntelliJ IDEA and Windsurf offer robust features with distinct advantages. IntelliJ IDEA excels in local inference and supports a wide array of LLMs, whereas Windsurf offers flexibility with user-provided models and a seamless migration process. Users should choose based on their specific needs such as local inference capability or ease of migration.