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Kilo Code vs Devin Desktop

Windsurf is now Devin Desktop; compare its local-to-cloud platform with Kilo’s open multi-editor stack.

What this comparison covers

The current product name is Devin Desktop, formerly Windsurf. This comparison covers Desktop, Devin Local, Devin CLI, Devin Cloud, Devin Review, and current team plans; legacy Codeium plugins and Cascade are labeled as transitional surfaces.

Verdict

Devin Desktop is strongest for teams that want a cohesive local-to-cloud Devin workflow with mature parallel delegation. Kilo is stronger when teams want an MIT-licensed agent, explicit provider choice, local inference, and adoption inside their existing VS Code or JetBrains estate.

Updated Updated for the June 2026 Devin Desktop rename and reviewed against Cognition pricing, FAQ, CLI, model, security, and launch sources.
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Quick Comparison

Current name
Kilo Code
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Devin Desktop
Windsurf renamed June 2, 2026
Primary surface
Kilo Code
VS Code, JetBrains, CLI
Devin Desktop
Standalone Desktop + CLI
Individual pricing
Kilo Code
Free tool + model usage
Devin Desktop
$0–$200/month
Models
Kilo Code
500+
Devin Desktop
Cognition-curated catalog
BYOK/local inference
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Not publicly documented
Local agent execution is not local inference
Cloud agents
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Parallel agents
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Managed Devins, subagents, worktrees, and Arena
Open source
Kilo Code
MIT
Devin Desktop

Where Devin Desktop may fit better

Reasons to choose the competitor, depending on your workflow and constraints.

Local-to-cloud continuity

Work can start in Desktop or CLI and hand off to Devin Cloud to continue after the local machine closes.

First-party parallel delegation

Managed Devins, local and CLI subagents, worktrees, Arena, and an Agent Command Center support complex parallel work.

Low-friction Windsurf transition

Cognition documents carryover for plans, settings, extensions, rules, workflows, and legacy paths during the rename.

500+ models without provider lock-in

Use Kilo-hosted models at provider rates, bring provider keys, or connect Ollama and LM Studio. Model choice applies across agent workflows rather than one vendor catalog.

Open agent stack

Kilo is MIT-licensed. Teams can inspect prompts, context assembly, tools, and configuration instead of treating the coding harness as a black box.

One workflow across editors and terminal

Kilo runs in VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and the CLI, so adoption does not require a proprietary editor or a single model provider.

Devin Desktop alternative: why developers switch to Kilo Code

Compare Kilo with Devin Desktop, formerly Windsurf, across IDEs, local and cloud agents, models, pricing, and teams.

500+ models without provider lock-in

Use Kilo-hosted models at provider rates, bring provider keys, or connect Ollama and LM Studio. Model choice applies across agent workflows rather than one vendor catalog.

Open agent stack

Kilo is MIT-licensed. Teams can inspect prompts, context assembly, tools, and configuration instead of treating the coding harness as a black box.

One workflow across editors and terminal

Kilo runs in VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and the CLI, so adoption does not require a proprietary editor or a single model provider.

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Complete Feature Comparison

An honest look at where Kilo wins, where Devin Desktop wins, and where they're comparable

Desktop and editor support

Standalone AI editor
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Standard VS Code extension
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Legacy plugin lineage
Full JetBrains local agent
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Devin Local is not supported in Windsurf JetBrains
Terminal agent
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop

Agents and models

Local workspace agent
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Local model inference
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Not documented
Cloud handoff
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Coordinated cloud agents
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Customer-selected provider keys
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Not documented

Teams and product boundary

Open-source product
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
Central billing and analytics
Kilo Code
Devin Desktop
SSO and audit controls
Kilo Code
Enterprise
Devin Desktop
Enterprise
Default training policy
Kilo Code
No training
Devin Desktop
Opt out on paid plans
Enterprise requires consent

Specialized agents built into Kilo Code

Code, Plan, Debug, and Ask cover the primary workflow. Code, Plan, and Debug can delegate isolated work to Explore, General, or custom subagents, while Agent Manager coordinates parallel VS Code sessions across git worktrees.

Move from Devin Desktop without confusing execution with inference

Validate models, permissions, reusable instructions, and team workflows before removing your current tool.

1

Install Kilo in your standard editor

Use Kilo in VS Code or JetBrains while retaining Devin Desktop for active work.

2 min
2

Translate durable configuration

Review .devin, legacy .windsurf rules, skills, MCP, memories, and workflows. Do not assume conversations or cloud state are portable.

Varies
3

Replace cloud operations

Pilot replacements for managed Devins, Review, automations, chat integrations, and team controls before removing access.

Pilot first

Factual basis

Last reviewed . Product details can change; these first-party sources support the comparison above.

Common Questions About Switching from Devin Desktop

Everything you need to know about moving to Kilo Code.

Compare Kilo Code with more alternatives

See how Kilo stacks up against every major AI coding assistant.

See all Kilo Code alternatives

Ready to upgrade your AI coding experience?

Keep Devin Desktop running side-by-side if you want to switch at your own pace.

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