Kilo Code vs Windsurf / Devin Desktop
Windsurf is now Devin Desktop. Kilo gives you agentic coding in the IDE you already use with open-source transparency and 500+ models.
Quick Comparison
Works in the IDE you already use
Kilo ships as a VS Code extension, a JetBrains plugin, and a CLI. Keep your settings, extensions, and keybindings — no forked editor, no new window to manage.
500+ models, zero markup
Route every mode — autocomplete, chat, and agents — through whichever model fits the task. Use BYOK with any provider at exact provider rates, or stay fully local with Ollama and LM Studio.
Fully open source (Apache-2.0)
Inspect every prompt, audit context windows, self-host if you want to. Nothing about how Kilo drives the model is hidden — the prompts, the context policy, and the tool layer are all readable in GitHub.
Windsurf / Devin Desktop alternative: why developers switch to Kilo Code
500+ models at exact provider rates, open source, and runs in VS Code, JetBrains, and CLI vs the renamed Windsurf/Devin Desktop IDE.
Works in the IDE you already use
Kilo ships as a VS Code extension, a JetBrains plugin, and a CLI. Keep your settings, extensions, and keybindings — no forked editor, no new window to manage.
500+ models, zero markup
Route every mode — autocomplete, chat, and agents — through whichever model fits the task. Use BYOK with any provider at exact provider rates, or stay fully local with Ollama and LM Studio.
Fully open source (Apache-2.0)
Inspect every prompt, audit context windows, self-host if you want to. Nothing about how Kilo drives the model is hidden — the prompts, the context policy, and the tool layer are all readable in GitHub.
Transparent pricing without an individual subscription floor
Kilo lets individual developers start at $0 and pay for exactly the AI tokens they use. Devin Desktop bundles usage into Free, Pro, and Max plans, and Teams starts with an $80/month minimum plus full-seat pricing.
No forced product migration
Windsurf is now Devin Desktop, with new app names, paths, and agent surfaces under the Devin brand. Kilo runs inside standard VS Code and JetBrains, so teams can adopt it without moving their editor estate.
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Complete Feature Comparison
An honest look at where Kilo wins, where Windsurf / Devin Desktop wins, and where they're comparable
Tab Autocomplete & Code Completion
AI Chat & Agentic Capabilities
Model Access & Flexibility
Pricing
Open Source & Transparency
Tab Autocomplete & Code Completion
| Feature | Windsurf / Devin Desktop | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
Inline tab completions | Unlimited Tab completions | |
Supercomplete (predict edits) | Editor-exclusive | |
Tab-to-jump (next edit location) | Editor-exclusive | |
Autocomplete model choice | Built-in Devin Desktop manages Tab models | Expanding |
Full Tab in JetBrains | Autocomplete only |
AI Chat & Agentic Capabilities
| Feature | Windsurf / Devin Desktop | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
Agent mode (autonomous) | Devin Local + legacy Cascade | |
Cloud agents | Devin Cloud handoff | |
Multi-agent command center | Agent Command Center + Spaces | |
Dedicated debug mode | Via local/cloud agents | |
Subagents | Devin Local preview | |
Memory / context persistence | Memories, rules, AGENTS.md | |
Voice prompting | ||
MCP, rules, and skills | Devin Local / CLI format |
Model Access & Flexibility
| Feature | Windsurf / Devin Desktop | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
Total models available | Curated provider + Cognition set Adaptive, SWE, Claude, GPT, Gemini, Kimi/GLM | 500+ |
BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) | Not highlighted in current docs Plans emphasize quotas and on-demand credits | All features |
Local model support | Local agent, cloud/provider models | |
Latest model access | Fast access to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Cognition | |
Model cost transparency | Partial Quotas, credits, and multipliers |
Pricing
| Feature | Windsurf / Devin Desktop | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
Free tier | Light quota Limited model availability; unlimited Tab | Free (BYOK or free models) |
Individual paid | $20–200/mo Pro and Max | Pay-as-you-go |
Team plan | $80/mo minimum + $40/mo per full dev seat | $15/user/mo |
Usage beyond included quota | On-demand credits | Provider-rate tokens |
Code review | Available Devin Review + Quick Review | Included free |
Open Source & Transparency
| Feature | Windsurf / Devin Desktop | Kilo Code |
|---|---|---|
Open source codebase | Closed source | |
Product continuity | Renamed to Devin Desktop New app name, paths, and command | |
Data used for training | No by default | Never |
SOC 2 certified | Cognition SOC 2 Type II |
Specialized agent modes built into Kilo Code
Orchestrator, Architect, Debug, Code, and Ask — each mode purpose-built for a different part of your workflow. Plus 500+ models and inline autocomplete.
Agentic Engineering
Glide through your workflow with a mode for every step
Ask mode
A knowledgeable technical assistant focused on answering questions without changing your codebase
Switch from Windsurf / Devin Desktop in under 5 minutes
No complicated setup. No vendor lock-in. No risk.
Install Kilo Code
Install from VS Code/JetBrains marketplace or via our CLI in one click.
Keep Your IDE Workflow
Use Kilo in standard VS Code, JetBrains, or the terminal without adopting Devin Desktop as a separate editor.
Choose Your Models
Pick from 500+ models or use your existing API keys. Start with the recommended model for each task.
Common Questions About Switching from Windsurf / Devin Desktop
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Kilo Code vs Roomote
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Ready to upgrade your AI coding experience?
Keep Windsurf / Devin Desktop running side-by-side if you want to switch at your own pace.