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Comparing PearAI and Windsurf: Two Leading Standalone Tools

Alex Hrymashevych Author by:
Alex Hrymashevych
Last update:
25 Jan 2026
Reading time:
~ 3 mins

PearAI Overview

PearAI is a robust standalone tool developed by the PearAI team, designed to operate across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. It supports a range of advanced language models including GPT-4, GPT-4o, Claude 3 Opus, Llama 3.1 405b, and its proprietary PearAI Model. With an impressive context window of 200k tokens, it offers local inference capabilities, making it suitable for environments where data privacy is a concern. The tool is highly versatile, supporting agentic editing across multiple files and providing full terminal access. PearAI’s Zero Data Retention (ZDR) privacy mode and SOC2 Type II certification ensure top-notch security. Available from a free tier up to $200 per month, it promises seamless migration with its .pearrc configuration file.

Pros

  • Supports multiple advanced LLMs including GPT-4.
  • Local inference capability enhances privacy.
  • Zero Data Retention (ZDR) mode for enhanced security.
  • SOC2 Type II certified for enterprise-level assurance.
  • Seamless migration process.

Cons

  • Higher price point at $200/month for premium features.
  • Limited to PearAI's proprietary model for custom needs.

Windsurf Overview

Windsurf is a standalone tool developed by Windsurf, catering to users on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. It features the SWE-1.5 model and offers users the flexibility to integrate their own models. Although it doesn’t support local inference, it provides a substantial context window of 200k tokens alongside agentic multi-file editing and full terminal access. Windsurf adheres to a standard privacy policy and holds a SOC2 Type II certification, making it a reliable choice for enterprises. The pricing model ranges from free to $30 per month, offering a cost-effective solution with a seamless migration path via the .windsurfrc configuration file.

Pros

  • Affordable pricing with a cap at $30/month.
  • Allows integration of user-provided models.
  • SOC2 Type II certification for enterprise trust.
  • Seamless migration with the .windsurfrc configuration.

Cons

  • Lacks local inference capability.
  • Standard privacy policy may be less secure than ZDR.

Comparison Table

Feature PearAI Windsurf
Architecture Type standalone standalone
Supported Os Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Developer PearAI Windsurf
Supported Llms GPT-4, GPT-4o, Claude 3 Opus, Llama 3.1 405b, PearAI Model SWE-1.5, User-provided models
Custom Model PearAI Model SWE-1.5
Context Window 200k tokens 200k tokens
Agentic Editing Yes, multi-file Yes, multi-file
Terminal Access Full Full
Privacy Mode Zero Data Retention (ZDR) Standard Privacy Policy
Certifications SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) SOC2 Type II (Enterprise)
About Price Free – $200/mo Free – $30/mo
Config File .pearrc .windsurfrc
Migration Seamless Seamless

Conclusion

Both PearAI and Windsurf offer substantial features for standalone tools. PearAI excels in privacy and security with its local inference and Zero Data Retention mode, catering to users who prioritize data protection. On the other hand, Windsurf offers a more cost-effective solution with flexibility in model integration, appealing to users focused on affordability and customization. Choosing between them depends largely on the specific needs for privacy and budget.