PyCharm
PyCharm is a standalone integrated development environment (IDE) developed by JetBrains, designed to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for software development. It supports a wide range of operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux. With its compatibility with advanced language models such as GPT-5, Claude 4.5, and Gemini 3.0, PyCharm offers robust support for AI-augmented programming. It allows for local inference, which can be particularly beneficial for developers concerned about data privacy. PyCharm also includes agentic editing capabilities across multiple files, full terminal access, and predictive editing features, making it a versatile tool for various coding tasks. The privacy policy adheres to standard protocols, and the tool is certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise-level security. PyCharm offers a free tier with premium options up to $27 per month. The IDE requires setup during migration and uses the ‘pyproject.toml’ file for configuration.
Pros
- ✓ Supports multiple operating systems.
- ✓ Compatible with advanced language models.
- ✓ Allows local inference.
- ✓ Multi-file agentic editing.
- ✓ Full terminal access.
Cons
- ✕ Requires setup for migration.
- ✕ Higher cost at $27/mo for premium features.
Windsurf
Windsurf is a robust standalone development tool created by the developer Windsurf, supporting various platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux. It stands out by allowing users to incorporate their own models alongside the native SWE-1.5 model. Unlike some other tools, Windsurf does not support local inference, which may be a consideration for privacy-conscious users. However, it maintains a 200k token context window and offers multi-file agentic editing and full terminal access, enhancing the capability to handle extensive projects efficiently. Predictive edits are supported, contributing to a more intuitive coding experience. Windsurf’s seamless migration capability and configuration via ‘.windsurfrc’ file simplify the setup process. The tool aligns with standard privacy policies and is also certified SOC2 Type II for secure enterprise use. Windsurf is available for free with premium plans costing up to $30 per month.
Pros
- ✓ User can provide custom models.
- ✓ Seamless migration process.
- ✓ Multi-file agentic editing.
- ✓ Full terminal access.
Cons
- ✕ No local inference support.
- ✕ Higher cost at $30/mo for premium features.
Comparison Table
| Feature | PyCharm | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | JetBrains | Windsurf |
| Supported Llms | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, o3, Cursor | SWE-1.5, User-provided models |
| Custom Model | – | 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 – $27/mo | Free – $30/mo |
| Config File | pyproject.toml | .windsurfrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Seamless |
Conclusion
Both PyCharm and Windsurf offer powerful features for developers, with PyCharm excelling in local inference and model support, while Windsurf offers seamless migration and custom model integration. The choice between the two depends on specific project needs and budget considerations.