SWE-agent Overview
The SWE-agent is a cloud-based tool developed by SWE, designed to support a range of advanced language models including Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 4, GPT-4o, GPT-5, and Gemini 1.0. It is compatible with Ubuntu 24.04 and 24.10, providing full terminal access and agentic editing capabilities across multiple files. While it does not offer predictive edits, the tool features a comprehensive context window of 200k tokens, ensuring extensive data processing capabilities. Privacy is maintained with a standard privacy policy, and the tool is certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise-level security. However, potential users should note that there is no free tier available, and pricing details require contacting sales. Migration to this tool necessitates a setup process, and configurations can be managed via the .sweagentrc file.
Pros
- ✓ Supports a wide range of advanced LLMS.
- ✓ Full terminal access and multi-file editing.
- ✓ Large context window of 200k tokens.
- ✓ Enterprise-level security certification.
Cons
- ✕ No free tier available.
- ✕ Pricing details require contacting sales.
- ✕ Requires setup for migration.
Windsurf (Cascade Agent) Overview
Windsurf, the developer behind the Cascade Agent, offers a versatile cloud-based tool compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports language models such as SWE-1.5, SWE-1, and GPT-5, with the option to use the custom model SWE-1.5. Users benefit from a generous context window of 200k tokens and the ability to perform predictive edits, enhancing the tool’s utility for dynamic editing tasks. The tool ensures maximum privacy with Zero Data Retention (ZDR) and is also certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise security. A notable advantage of Windsurf is its free tier, with additional features available at competitive pricing. Migration requires setup, and configurations are managed through the .windsurfrc file.
Pros
- ✓ Compatible with multiple operating systems.
- ✓ Supports predictive edits.
- ✓ Zero Data Retention privacy mode.
- ✓ Offers a free tier.
Cons
- ✕ Migration requires setup.
- ✕ Limited to specific custom model.
Comparison Table
| Feature | SWE-agent | Windsurf (Cascade Agent) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | cloud | cloud |
| Supported Os | Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 24.10 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | SWE | Windsurf |
| Supported Llms | Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 4, GPT-4o, GPT-5, Gemini 1.0 | SWE-1.5, SWE-1, GPT-5 |
| 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 | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Contact Sales | Free – $60+/user/mo |
| Config File | .sweagentrc | .windsurfrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both SWE-agent and Windsurf (Cascade Agent) offer robust solutions for language model support with unique features. SWE-agent excels in supporting a broad spectrum of advanced language models, while Windsurf provides flexibility across operating systems and includes a free tier. Users should consider their specific needs and the importance of predictive edits and privacy policies when choosing between the two.