The video compares five major AI code editors (IDEs): Cursor, Windsurf, Aid, Bolt, and Replit. The reviewer spent 30 days testing each based on five key metrics to determine the best one for development.

Key Metrics

Code Generation Accuracy: How accurately the IDE generates code.
Natural Language Understanding: How well the IDE understands prompts without complex engineering.
Multifile Editing Capabilities: The IDE's ability to generate code across multiple files in parallel.
Development Speed: How quickly an MVP can be developed using the IDE.
Initial Project Setup: How easy is it to setup project with each IDE?
API Connections: How easy is it to make API connections?
Trading Strategy: How well each IDE implmented the trading strategy?
Front End: How well each IDE creates a good looking UI?
Deployment: How easy to deploy with each IDE?

Cursor

Cursor is a fork of Visual Studio Code with AI integration. It uses a composer tool for real-time conversations with the AI. It supports agent mode and custom system prompts. While agentic, it's slower than some competitors and has limits on query amounts unless you pay more.

Windsurf

Windsurf, another VS Code fork, focuses on being an agentic IDE. It features "Cascade," similar to Cursor's composer. The reviewer found it slower than Cursor, with unexpected errors, and more expensive. It excels in multifile capabilities.

Aid

Aid is a cloud-based agent that creates pull requests to a GitHub repository based on issues. It's free until they run out of money, which is great. However, the reviewer felt it was too hands-off, lacking nuanced conversation and control.

Bolt

Bolt is a full-stack AI code editor in the cloud that surprised the reviewer. It's very fast, sets up a React project structure, and installs dependencies quickly. It has a great interface, provides checkpoints, connects to Supabase, and allows one-click deployment. The primary con is that it doesn't run locally, limiting advanced terminal agent features.

Replit

Replit is a popular AI code editor with a mobile version. The reviewer liked its planning stage before execution and the checkpoint feature for version control. However, it had errors with the trading bot and was considered stingy with credits.

Final Verdict

Bolt was the fastest and most functional. Windsurf had the best code quality and multifile completion. Cursor was ranked second overall. Aid was strongly discouraged. And, replic got the worst score among all.

The Arena

The reviewer is building an AI startup accelerator called The Arena that pairs individuals with their own AI co-founder. Interested individuals can sign up for the waitlist.

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