RooCode Overview
RooCode is a versatile plugin designed to enhance your coding experience across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developed by Roo, this tool supports a wide range of leading language models such as GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Bedrock-Titan, and Ollama-local. A notable feature of RooCode is its custom model, ‘The Coder’, which allows for a seamless integration into your coding workflow. With a robust context window of 200k tokens, RooCode facilitates multi-file agentic editing and provides full terminal access. The plugin emphasizes user privacy through its standard privacy policy and offers a free tier with additional professional options. RooCode ensures a seamless migration process, making it an accessible choice for developers looking to optimize their coding environment.
Pros
- ✓ Supports multiple operating systems.
- ✓ Wide range of supported language models.
- ✓ Seamless migration process.
- ✓ Full terminal access.
Cons
- ✕ Standard privacy policy might not meet all privacy needs.
- ✕ No predictive edits feature.
Windsurf (Cascade Agent) Overview
Windsurf’s Cascade Agent is a cloud-based tool that caters to developers on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Developed by Windsurf, it supports the SWE-1.5, SWE-1, and GPT-5 language models, with its custom model being SWE-1.5. The tool provides a substantial context window of 200k tokens and is equipped with predictive editing capabilities, enhancing the coding process. Notably, it offers a Zero Data Retention (ZDR) privacy mode, ensuring user data is not stored. While the migration process requires some setup, Cascade Agent provides a free tier alongside subscription options starting at $60 per user per month. This tool is ideal for users prioritizing privacy and predictive editing features.
Pros
- ✓ Zero Data Retention privacy mode.
- ✓ Supports predictive edits.
- ✓ Compatible with major operating systems.
Cons
- ✕ Migration requires setup.
- ✕ Higher price point for full features.
Comparison Table
| Feature | RooCode | Windsurf (Cascade Agent) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | plugin | cloud |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Roo | Windsurf |
| Supported Llms | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Bedrock-Titan, Ollama-local | SWE-1.5, SWE-1, GPT-5 |
| Custom Model | The Coder | 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 | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free/Pro | Free – $60+/user/mo |
| Config File | .roorc | .windsurfrc |
| Migration | Seamless | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both RooCode and Windsurf’s Cascade Agent offer robust features for developers, each with its own strengths. RooCode is ideal for users seeking a plugin with a seamless integration and full terminal access, while Windsurf shines with its cloud architecture and strong privacy commitments. The choice between the two largely depends on user preferences regarding privacy, price, and feature requirements.