Meet Your AI Coding Sidekick: Augment Code vs. Cursor (2025 Showdown)

Hey coder 👋 — stuck deep in VS Code and wishing for an AI partner to speed things up? You’ve probably heard of Augment Code and Cursor — two rising stars in the AI coding world in 2025. This guide gives you the full scoop on how to get started with Augment Code and compares it head-to-head with Cursor.

We’ll walk through setup, real-world usage, pricing, and the all-important API call limits. Let’s get into it!

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What is Augment Code?

Augment Code is a powerful VS Code extension that brings AI directly into your coding workflow. Think of it as your coding BFF — one that understands your project structure, remembers your coding habits, and helps you automate tasks in real time.

Key Highlights:

• Smart File Edits: Goes beyond autocomplete — it can create, modify, and organize files.
• Context-Aware: Knows your codebase like a teammate.
• Memory Feature: Learns your style over time.
• Top Performer: Scored 65.4% on SWE-Bench (April 2025), outperforming most alternatives.

How to Set Up Augment Code (5 Easy Steps)

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

Download VS Code from code.visualstudio if you don’t already have it. It’s free and supports a range of AI extensions like Augment Code, RooCode, Gemini Code Assist, and more.

Step 2: Install the Augment Code Extension

1. Open VS Code.
2. Hit the Extensions icon (or Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X).
3. Search “Augment Code” and click Install. Boom — it’s in!

Step 3: Sign Up and Choose a Plan

Go to augmentcode.com, create an account, and pick a plan. The Community plan is free and great for solo developers. You can upgrade later to the Developer or Enterprise plans for more features.

After creating your account and selecting a suitable plan (community version should work just fine for this tutorial), log in via VS Code, and you’re set.

Step 4: Sync Your Project

After logging in via VS Code, Augment Code automatically scans your project — no uploads needed. Its Context Engine reads your files and structure to offer relevant, accurate suggestions.

Step 5: Start Using It

Open the Augment Code sidebar (look for the “A” icon). You can now ask it to perform tasks like:

“Add a login form”

It will analyze your code and generate the necessary files or updates automatically.

Real-World Example: Using Augment Code in a Node.js Project

Let’s build a simple user data endpoint using Augment Code.

Step 1: Give It Instructions

In the Augment Code sidebar, type:

“Create an API endpoint to fetch user data”

Step 2: Let It Do Its Thing

Augment Code might:

• Create server.js (if it doesn’t exist).
• Whip up a mock array and endpoint like this:
• Suggest running npm install express if needed.

Step 3: Review and Approve

You’ll see a preview in your editor. Make tweaks if needed, then click Apply to implement the code.

Step 4: Iterate

Want to add error handling or a POST route? Just ask, and Augment Code will update your codebase while keeping everything in sync.

Why Developers Love Augment Code

• 🧠 Context Engine: Understands your full project, no extra input required
• 💾 Memories: Learns how you code
• ⚙️ Agent Mode: Can execute multi-step tasks using terminal commands or GitHub
• 🚀 Performance: Up to 3x faster suggestions than other tools

This isn’t just smart autocompletion — it’s real productivity.

Augment Code vs. Cursor: The Big Showdown

Now, let’s stack Augment Code up against Cursor, another AI coding hotshot. Both are awesome, but they’ve got different vibes — especially on pricing and API call limits. Let’s break it down!

What is Cursor?

Cursor is an AI-first code editor built on VS Code’s bones. It’s got a sleek interface, autocomplete magic, and a chat feature to generate code. Think of it as a souped-up IDE with AI baked in. It’s great for quick projects and has a loyal fanbase.

Setup and Compatibility

• Augment Code: A VS Code extension — slots right into your existing setup. Works with JetBrains too.
• Cursor: A standalone editor. You’ll ditch VS Code entirely, which means re-setting up extensions and shortcuts.

Winner? Augment Code if you love your VS Code workflow; Cursor if you want a fresh start.

How They Handle Context

• Augment Code: Its Context Engine rocks a 200K token window, gobbling up huge codebases. Posts on X rave about its “sniper-like recall” for finding the right files.
• Cursor: Caps at around 10K tokens (per X chatter), struggling with big projects. You’ll need to chunk your code manually.

Winner? Augment Code — it’s a beast for complex, sprawling codebases.

Features Face-Off

• Augment Code: Agent mode, Memories, and real-time sync for team coding. It’s built for pros tackling enterprise-level stuff.
• Cursor: Tab autocomplete, bug finder, and Notepads. It’s slick for solo devs or small apps.

Winner? Depends — Augment Code for depth, Cursor for simplicity.

Pricing: Augment Code vs. Cursor

Here’s where it gets juicy — how much do these bad boys cost, and what’s the deal with API limits?

Augment Code Pricing

Augment Code keeps it straightforward (as of April 10, 2025, per augmentcode.com):

• Community Plan: Free, unlimited agent use, but caps chats at 3,000 messages/month. Perfect for solo hobbyists.
• Developer Plan: $30/month, unlimited everything — agent, chat, completions. No token worries!
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing (think $100+/user/month), adds security and team features.

No per-token charges here — just flat rates. Even on the free tier, you get a 14-day Developer trial to test the full power. The catch? Heavy chatters might hit that 3,000-message wall on Community.

Cursor Pricing

Cursor (per cursor.com, April 2025) goes a different route:

• Hobby Tier: Free, limited to 50 uses of premium models. Basic but stingy.
• Pro Tier: $20/month, 500 fast requests/month. Extra requests cost $0.04 each.
• Business Tier: $40/user/month, 1,000 fast requests/month, with overages at $0.04.

Cursor’s “requests” include chats, edits, or tool calls — say “Hi” ($0.04) or edit 10 files ($0.04). It’s cheap until you’re a power user, then costs spike. You can bring your own API key (e.g., OpenAI), but core features still tap Cursor’s models.

Pricing Winner?

• Augment Code: Predictable, unlimited use. $30/month is probably a little steep but caps your spend.
• Cursor: Starts cheaper ($20/month), but overages add up fast. 500 requests vanish in days for pros.

If you code all day, Augment Code saves your wallet long-term. Casual coders? Cursor’s Pro tier is a steal — until you hit the limit.

API Call Limitations: The Nitty-Gritty

API limits are where these tools diverge big-time.

Augment Code API Limits

• None! On paid plans, you’re free to hammer Augment Code with requests — no token caps or overages. The free plan’s 3,000-message chat limit is the only leash, and agent tasks (edits, tools) are unrestricted.
• Why? Augment Code tunes its own models for code, dodging third-party API costs. It’s all-you-can-eat coding!

Cursor API Limits

• Strict Caps: 500 requests (Pro) or 1,000 (Business) per month. Every chat, edit, or tool call counts. Go over? $0.04/request adds up — 50 extra edits is $2/day.
• BYOK Option: Bring your own key (e.g., Claude) to offset some costs, but Cursor’s custom models still enforce the cap for key features like Tab.

Winner? Augment Code — unlimited trumps capped any day for serious coders.

Augment Code vs. Cursor: Which Should You Pick?

Choose Augment Code if:

• You’ve got a big codebase (think 40K+ lines).
• You want unlimited use without overage stress.
• You’re on a team needing real-time sync and security.

Choose Cursor if:

• You’re a solo dev or hobbyist on a budget.
• You dig a standalone editor with snappy autocomplete.
• Small projects are your jam.

For me, Augment Code edges out with its context mastery and flat pricing — perfect for my sprawling Node.js messes. But Cursor’s $20 entry point is tempting for quick hacks.

Final Thoughts: Code Smarter in 2025

Whether you roll with Augment Code or Cursor, you’re stepping into the future of coding. Augment Code is your powerhouse for big, brainy tasks with no limits holding you back. Cursor keeps it light and affordable — until you outgrow its caps. Fire up VS Code, install Augment Code, and try that API example — or test Cursor’s free tier. What’s your pick?