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Top coding agents in 2025: Tools that actually help you build

A detailed comparison of top AI coding agents like Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, Bolt.new, and Replit. This article breaks down their key features, strengths, and ideal use cases to help developers choose the right tool for their workflow.

Guamian

Product & Design

7/18/20257 min read

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The software development world is flooded with "AI agents" in 2025. Most promise to write your code, finish your tasks, and ship your app while you sleep. The reality? Some are noise. A few are signal.

But a handful of tools actually deliver real leverage. They fit into your workflow, take things off your plate, and help you build faster, especially when you're short on time or context switching too much. These aren't just copilots or chatbots. They're hands-on agents that help you move from vague ideas to working software.

What makes a good coding agent

Good coding agents don't just autocomplete. They understand context, work across files, and integrate into how you actually build software. The best ones feel like pairing with someone who knows your stack, not fighting with a glorified autocomplete tool.

The tools that work fit into how developers actually build:

They understand your whole project, not just the current file
They can make real changes, not just suggestions
They stay out of your way when you're in flow
They handle the boring stuff so you can focus on the interesting problems

In the following list, I’ll use build a photo gallery app as a prompt to evaluate the output.

1. Cursor - The power tool for developers who live in their editor

Website: cursor.sh

Cursor is a fork of VS Code with AI built in, but not just as a side panel. It can read your whole codebase, navigate across files, and actually change code in ways that feel useful. It's what Copilot could've been if it understood your repo instead of just guessing line-by-line.

Here are a few screenshots showing how Cursor responded when I asked it to build a photo gallery app.

Core features of Cursor

Smart code completion: AI-driven code generation and completion system
Natural language interaction: Intelligent dialogue assistant that understands natural language and provides programming assistance
Code refactoring and optimization: Advanced features for code refactoring, understanding, and optimization

How Cursor differs from traditional IDEs

Cursor is a VS Code compiler integrated with multiple models, not a plugin used within an IDE. It provides more comprehensive contextual understanding, not only performing code completion but also specifically fixing error code and restructuring code architecture.

Pricing and access

Cursor offers flexible pricing plans, including free access with core features and premium tiers that unlock access to the latest Claude models and more advanced capabilities.

What is Cursor best for

Developers seeking a smarter IDE experience
Engineers focused on clean, maintainable code
Builders who want AI help without giving up control

In our previous blog post, we shared a step-by-step tutorial on vibe coding with Cursor, showing how to build a simple app with authentication.

https://blog.logto.io/cursor-logto-auth

2. GitHub Copilot Workspace - Issue → Plan → PR

Website: github.com/features/copilot

GitHub Copilot is another AI agent inside your IDE. Its autocomplete feature was just the beginning — the real game-changer is Copilot Workspace.

The biggest advantage? Copilot is deeply integrated into the GitHub ecosystem. If your team relies heavily on GitHub for planning and maintaining code, Copilot is a solid starting point.

The platform now features an advanced coding agent mode that can make sweeping changes across multiple files by analyzing code, proposing edits, running tests, and validating results.

When GitHub copilot starts to make sense

You're juggling multiple features and don't want to context switch
You want to delegate a "known shape" of work (CRUD, tests, tweaks)
You've got a clear task but don't want to handhold it
Teams already using GitHub ecosystem

GitHub Copilot key features

Multi-model support including Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Google Gemini 2.0 Flash
Agent mode for complex, multi-file operations
Seamless integration with popular IDEs
Real-time code suggestions and completions
Pricing: Starting at $10/month for individual developers

3. Bolt - Multi-agent software building, from the browser

Website: bolt.new

Bolt feels like what would happen if you mashed together Figma, GPT, and a backend generator. You describe what you want: a form, a dashboard, a flow, and behind the scenes, multiple agents handle the pieces: UI, logic, backend, state.

What makes Bolt.new stand out

Fast iterations, even for non-developers
Agents work in parallel to co-build components
In-browser canvas makes it feel less like code, more like building
No setup required, works directly in your browser

What is Bolt.new best for

Early MVPs, internal tools, or when you want to skip boilerplate and focus on core logic. Even if you’re not a developer, you can still build a polished, professional product. In contrast, Cursor offers more advanced configuration options suited for developers who want fine-grained control.

4. Lovable - Natural Language → Full-Stack App

Website: lovable.so

Lovable is simple: describe what you're building, and it gives you a working app: frontend, backend, database, login flow, the works. It's especially useful when you know what you want but don't want to scaffold everything from scratch.

What is Lovable useful for

Indie hackers
Product people building internal tools
MVPs and demos
Getting a working base fast

Lovable is not meant for tweaking every edge case but it gets you a working foundation fast, which is often all you need. Lovable is similar to Bolt.new, but even simpler and more opinionated. It’s tightly integrated with its ecosystem and tools like Supabase. It’s not built for developers who need full control, but rather for indie hackers who want to quickly bring their ideas to life.

In our previous blog post, we shared a step-by-step tutorial on vibe coding with Lovable, showing how to build a simple app with authentication.

https://blog.logto.io/lovable-logto-auth

5. Anthropic's Claude Code - Command line power

Anthropic's Claude Code represents a new approach to coding assistance. As an agentic command line tool, it allows developers to delegate entire coding tasks directly from their terminal, making it particularly powerful for complex development workflows.

Claude Code key features

Command-line interface for seamless workflow integration
Claude Sonnet 4 powering advanced reasoning capabilities
Autonomous task completion
Integration with development pipelines

What Claude is best for

Advanced developers who prefer command-line workflows and need autonomous coding assistance

6. Replit - Quick scripts, simple logic, in the browser

Website: replit.com

Replit’s biggest moat is that it didn’t start as an AI product — it began as a full-featured Cloud IDE that combines editor, terminal, and deployment into one environment.

Open your browser and start coding, running services, using a terminal, or deploying apps
Ideal for teaching, quick prototyping, and running small projects
Supports real-time collaboration and live preview
Extremely beginner-friendly

How Replit got Compared to Bolt Lovable

Replit builds from the ground up as a developer tool : AI is an enhancement, not the core.

Bolt and Lovable start with “natural language to code” as the default. They assume you’re not a traditional developer and may not even want an IDE at all.

What Replit does best

Short tasks, simple ideas
Educational content, walkthroughs
Live collaboration with AI in the loop
Cloud-based development environment
Instant deployment capabilities

What is Replit best for

Beginners, educators, and developers who prefer cloud-based development environments

7. Windsurf - The collaborative alternative

Windsurf, formerly known as Codeium, has evolved into a full-featured AI coding platform that now competes directly with Cursor and GitHub Copilot.

What sets it apart is its focus on the chat-based, agentic experience. While Cursor is still centered around the IDE, Windsurf leans more into conversational interactions, making AI feel more like a coding partner than just a tool.

Windsurf key features

Multi-model AI support
Real-time collaboration features
Extensive language support
Custom model training capabilities
A browser experience controlled by the Windsurf AI agent

Windsurf vs Cursor

Whenever people talk about AI-powered IDEs, Windsurf and Cursor are always part of the conversation. So in this section, I’ll do a detailed comparison between the two.

Category	Cursor	Windsurf
User Experience & Interface Design	Cursor IDE focuses on speed and precision, with fast completions and a Composer mode that turns plain English into code. It’s a more established platform with refined workflows.	Windsurf generally has a cleaner and more polished UI compared to Cursor. It feels like comparing an Apple product to a Microsoft one — those little details make Windsurf feel more refined and intuitive.
Core AI Technology	Cursor provides a flexible approach with multiple interaction modes, offering both direct assistance and task execution via Agent mode or the Composer feature.	Windsurf's Cascade is an AI IDE agent that automatically fills context, runs commands, and remembers user-specific details across sessions. Powered by Codium, it feels like a reliable and intelligent coding partner.
Context Understanding & Code Intelligence	Cursor can lose context after several prompts and sometimes hallucinates. Its rigid structure may limit creative or unconventional coding workflows.	Windsurf often gets things right on the first try, recognizing and using project-specific components accurately. It demonstrates stronger contextual understanding and code intelligence.
Workflow Philosophy	Cursor follows an assistance-first approach. It handles ambiguous prompts well and offers developers more control, making it ideal for those who prefer hands-on involvement.	Windsurf embraces an agent-first philosophy. It takes initiative in handling complex tasks, making it better suited for developers who prefer a more autonomous AI partner.

Which should you choose?

Choose Windsurf if you:

Value clean, refined UI/UX
Want an AI that proactively understands your codebase
Prefer an agent-style approach to coding
Need better context retention across conversations
Want more autonomous AI assistance

Choose Cursor if you:

Need faster code completions and immediate responses
Prefer more control over AI interactions
Work well with ambiguous prompts
Want a more established platform with proven workflows
Are comfortable with a steeper learning curve

The real talk on AI coding tools

Most "AI dev tools" are either too shallow (autocomplete with hype) or too heavy (agents with zero context). The ones that work fit into how you actually build:

Choose based on your workflow:

Cursor if you want a smarter IDE
GitHub Copilot Workspace if you run your life through GitHub
Bolt if you want to orchestrate multiple agents to build features
Lovable if you want a full app without setting up a repo
Replit if you're building in the browser

How to choose the right tool

The best coding agent depends on your specific needs:

For individual developers:

Cursor for deep IDE integration
Lovable for rapid prototyping
Bolt for browser-based development
Claude Code for command-line workflows

For teams:

GitHub Copilot Workspace for GitHub-centric workflows
Windsurf for collaborative features

Best practices for using coding agents

Start with your workflow: Pick tools that fit how you already work, not tools that force you to change everything.

Don't trust blindly: These tools are powerful, but they're not perfect. Always review generated code for accuracy and security.

Use them for leverage: The best coding agents handle the boring stuff so you can focus on the interesting problems.

Stay in control: You're still the developer. These tools should amplify your abilities, not replace your judgment.

The future of coding agents

As we move through 2025, coding agents are becoming more sophisticated and integrated into development workflows. The trend is toward:

Better context understanding across entire projects
More autonomous task completion with less handholding
Specialized agents for specific domains and use cases
Improved collaboration between human developers and AI agents

Conclusion

These aren't toys. They're a new layer in the stack, not replacing developers, but changing the rhythm of how we ship software. The best coding agents in 2025 understand that developers don't need another chatbot. They need tools that actually help them build.

The key is finding the ones that fit your workflow, solve real problems, and stay out of your way when you're in flow. Whether you're building MVPs, managing complex codebases, or just trying to ship faster, there's likely a coding agent that can help you get there.

The future of software development is collaborative, with AI agents serving as intelligent partners that amplify human creativity and problem-solving capabilities. Choose the right tools, use them wisely, and focus on what you do best: solving problems and building software that matters.

After exploring how Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and Windsurf shape the future of coding with AI, one thing is clear: the ecosystem is moving toward more conversational, agent-driven development.

If you’re building modern apps and need authentication done right, Logto fits right into that workflow. It offers seamless auth, user management, and permission controls: all developer-friendly and easy to integrate with any of these AI-powered coding environments.

Less time on auth. More time shipping.

Try Logto Cloud for free

What makes a good coding agent#

1. Cursor - The power tool for developers who live in their editor#

Core features of Cursor#

How Cursor differs from traditional IDEs#

Pricing and access#

What is Cursor best for#

2. GitHub Copilot Workspace - Issue → Plan → PR#

When GitHub copilot starts to make sense#

GitHub Copilot key features#

3. Bolt - Multi-agent software building, from the browser#

What makes Bolt.new stand out#

What is Bolt.new best for#

4. Lovable - Natural Language → Full-Stack App#

What is Lovable useful for#

5. Anthropic's Claude Code - Command line power#

Claude Code key features#

What Claude is best for#

6. Replit - Quick scripts, simple logic, in the browser#

How Replit got Compared to Bolt Lovable#

What Replit does best#

What is Replit best for#

7. Windsurf - The collaborative alternative#

Windsurf key features#

Windsurf vs Cursor#

Which should you choose?#

The real talk on AI coding tools#

How to choose the right tool#

Best practices for using coding agents#

The future of coding agents#

Conclusion#