Antigravity AI vs Cursor: Which is Better?

Yes! Many developers use both tools in their workflow. You can use Antigravity AI for complex agentic tasks, multi-file refactoring, and architecture decisions, while using Cursor for quick inline code completions and chat-based assistance. They complement each other well - Antigravity excels at understanding entire project context and executing complex multi-step tasks, while Cursor provides instant autocomplete suggestions as you type.

For absolute beginners, Cursor may be more approachable due to its simpler interface and immediate inline suggestions that help you learn syntax patterns. However, Antigravity AI is excellent for learning best practices and understanding why code is written a certain way, as it provides detailed explanations and follows industry-standard patterns. Consider starting with Cursor for syntax learning, then graduating to Antigravity when you're ready to understand deeper architecture concepts.

Antigravity AI is free during its beta period, giving you full access to agentic capabilities at no cost. Cursor offers a free tier with limited completions, then charges $20/month for unlimited access. Long-term, Antigravity will likely introduce paid tiers for advanced features, but both tools offer excellent value. For maximum productivity, the combined cost of both subscriptions (~$20-40/month) is typically worth it for professional developers who bill clients or work on critical projects.

Both tools excel at TypeScript, but in different ways. Antigravity AI generates more comprehensive type definitions upfront and better understands complex generic types across your entire codebase. Cursor provides excellent real-time type suggestions while you're typing. For large TypeScript projects with complex type hierarchies, Antigravity's whole-project awareness gives it an edge. For quick type fixes and autocomplete, Cursor's inline suggestions are faster.

Yes, Antigravity AI is a standalone application that doesn't conflict with Cursor. You can have both installed simultaneously. Many developers keep Cursor as their primary editor for day-to-day coding, then switch to Antigravity AI when they need to tackle complex refactoring, generate new features, or make architectural changes. The tools don't interfere with each other and can share the same project files.

For simple, single-file boilerplate (like a React component skeleton), Cursor's tab-autocomplete is nearly instant. For complex boilerplate spanning multiple files (like setting up an entire API route with database models, types, and tests), Antigravity AI is superior because it can generate and coordinate all related files in one go. Use Cursor for quick component scaffolding, Antigravity for full-feature implementation.

You don't need to fully migrate - gradual adoption works best. Start by using Antigravity for new features or refactoring tasks while keeping Cursor for everyday editing. Over 2-3 weeks, you'll naturally discover which tasks each tool handles best. Many developers settle on a hybrid approach: Cursor for 80% of routine coding, Antigravity for the 20% of complex architecture work. There's no need to choose one over the other exclusively.

Both tools require an internet connection to function, as they rely on cloud-based AI models (Claude for Antigravity, various models for Cursor). Neither offers a true offline mode. However, Cursor caches some completions locally for better performance. If you frequently work offline, consider using traditional IDEs with local autocomplete, then use these AI tools when you have connectivity for code review and refactoring sessions.