Amazon Q Developer
Amazon Web Services
FreemiumWindsurf (formerly Codeium)
Windsurf (Cognition AI)
FreemiumAmazon Q Developer vs Windsurf (formerly Codeium): Full Comparison (2026)
Amazon Q Developer is aws-native ai coding assistant with security scanning (rebranded from codewhisperer). Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is ai-first ide with agentic cascade engine - rebranded from codeium. Use the breakdown below to find the right fit for your needs.
This page presents factual information sourced from publicly available vendor documentation and product pages. AIHub does not endorse either product. The right tool depends on your specific use case, team, and requirements — we recommend evaluating both tools directly before making a decision.
Side-by-Side Overview
Pricing Model
Amazon Q Developer
FreemiumWindsurf (formerly Codeium)
FreemiumAPI Access
Amazon Q Developer
Not availableWindsurf (formerly Codeium)
Not availablePlatforms
Amazon Q Developer
WebWindsurf (formerly Codeium)
WebIntegrations
Amazon Q Developer
—Windsurf (formerly Codeium)
—Vendor
Amazon Q Developer
Amazon Web ServicesWindsurf (formerly Codeium)
Windsurf (Cognition AI)Category
Amazon Q Developer
Code AssistanceWindsurf (formerly Codeium)
Code AssistanceLaunch
Amazon Q Developer
—Windsurf (formerly Codeium)
—| Feature | Amazon Q Developer | Windsurf (formerly Codeium) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| API Access | Not available | Not available |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Integrations | — | — |
| Vendor | Amazon Web Services | Windsurf (Cognition AI) |
| Category | Code Assistance | Code Assistance |
| Launch | — | — |
About Amazon Q Developer
Amazon Q Developer (previously CodeWhisperer) is an AI coding assistant deeply integrated with the AWS ecosystem. Offers inline code suggestions, security vulnerability scanning, automated code reviews, and agent capabilities for feature development and code transformation.
Designed For
- AWS development
- Security scanning
- Infrastructure as code
- Code generation
About Windsurf (formerly Codeium)
Codeium rebranded to Windsurf in late 2024, launching an AI-first IDE (fork of VS Code) with Cascade - an agentic engine that can autonomously plan and execute multi-step coding tasks. Acquired by Cognition AI (makers of Devin) in May 2025 for $3B.
Designed For
- Code completion
- Agentic coding
- Refactoring
- Multi-file edits
Strengths & Limitations
Amazon Q Developer
Strengths
- Free for individual use (50 requests/day)
- Security scanning built-in
- License tracking
- AWS Console integration
- Java/COBOL transformation
Limitations
- Best for AWS workloads
- Limited context window vs Cursor
- Less consumer recognition
Windsurf (formerly Codeium)
Strengths
- Cascade agentic engine
- Free tier available
- 70+ languages
- VS Code compatible
Limitations
- New product, less mature than Cursor
- Cognition acquisition uncertainty
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Amazon Q Developer and Windsurf (formerly Codeium)?
Amazon Q Developer is aws-native ai coding assistant with security scanning (rebranded from codewhisperer), while Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is ai-first ide with agentic cascade engine - rebranded from codeium. Amazon Q Developer is designed for Code Assistance; Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is designed for Code Assistance. The right fit depends on your specific requirements.
How do the pricing models compare?
Amazon Q Developer is available under a Freemium model. Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is available under a Freemium model. Always verify pricing on each vendor's official website as it may change.
How do I choose between Amazon Q Developer and Windsurf (formerly Codeium)?
Consider your team's technical requirements, budget, existing tooling, and use case before deciding. We recommend signing up for free trials or demos of both tools where available, and consulting each vendor's documentation. AIHub provides this comparison for informational purposes only.
Feature Snapshot
Explore Further
Amazon Q Developer full detailsWindsurf (formerly Codeium) full detailsAmazon Q Developer official siteWindsurf (formerly Codeium) official siteRelated Comparisons
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Data sourced from public vendor documentation. Pricing, features, and availability may change. Always verify on official vendor websites before making purchasing decisions. AIHub is not affiliated with any of the listed vendors.