Firebase Studio, Cursor and Windsurf based on VS Code (a popular code editor), but it works inside your browser. This means you can build and test your app from anywhere, without coding and downloading anything.
Table of Contents
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First blog of this series to get wondering knowledge of Firebase studio 👉 Firebase Studio for Free: Hosting, Database and etc
Firebase Studio Features
- Comes with a built-in Firebase Console
- Uses Gemini AI to help you code, debug, and generate prototypes
- You can see your database, users, and other Firebase tools directly inside the app
- Good for both beginners and pro developers
Firebase Console (or Console Firebase) is like the control room of your app. You can manage your database, hosting, and more. Firebase Studio includes this right inside the tool.
What is Cursor AI?
Cursor is an AI-powered code editor. It looks and feels like VS Code but has a major upgrade—it comes with a built-in AI assistant. If you’re a developer, imagine you’re writing code and get stuck.
Cursor Abilities
- Ask the AI to fix bugs
- Explain what a piece of code does
- Auto-complete large blocks of code
- Refactor or rewrite confusing code
- Cursor is very helpful for developers who want to code faster and smarter.
Cursor Features
- Uses AI to help with coding tasks
- Great for understanding complex code
- Works best for languages like Python, JavaScript, etc.
- Has support for multiple files and larger projects
Cursor is ideal for full-time developers or students who want to level up their coding game with AI help.
What is Windsurf?
Windsurf is a unique tool. It’s not just for coding—it’s a workspace for everything
- Building internal dashboards
- Creating admin panels
- Writing documentation
- Analysing and displaying data
You don’t need to be a developer to use Windsurf. It has drag-and-drop tools and uses AI to help you create dashboards without writing any code.
Windsurf AI Features
- Visual tool to connect your database and show data
- Supports Firebase and other backends
- Works like Notion + ChatGPT + Dashboard builder
- Can handle multi-file logic and complex workflows
Windsurf AI is the smart brain inside Windsurf that helps you automate tasks, build tools, and manage logic.
Windsurf vs Cursor: What’s the Difference?
Table to help you decide difference
| Feature | Windsurf | Cursor |
| Main Use | Dashboard and admin tool builder | Code editor with AI help |
| Needs coding? | No (visual, drag-and-drop) | Yes (but AI helps a lot) |
| AI Help | Yes – for logic and dashboard | Yes – for coding |
| Firebase Support | Yes – through GUI | No direct support |
| Best For | Product managers, analysts, non-coders | Developers and coders |
Firebase Studio vs Cursor vs Windsurf
| Feature | Firebase Studio | Cursor | Windsurf |
| Tool Type | Online IDE (based on VS Code) for Firebase | AI-powered code editor | GUI-based tool builder for Firebase & others |
| Main Use | Building and managing Firebase apps | Writing and understanding code with AI | Creating dashboards/admin panels without code |
| Built on | VS Code + Gemini AI | Fork of VS Code | Custom GUI (visual builder) |
| AI Features | Gemini AI: code chat, debugging, scaffolding | Code explanations, autocomplete, refactor | Context-aware AI, dashboard logic |
| Multi-file support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (via workspace logic) |
| Firebase Integration | ✅ Full (native support) | ❌ None | ✅ GUI view of Firebase |
| No-code / Low-code | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Ideal for | Firebase developers | Developers needing AI code help | Non-dev teams creating tools & dashboards |
| User Interface | Code-first interface | Code-first interface | Visual GUI with drag-and-drop support |
| Pricing | Free (in preview), usage-based when public | Free + Paid (around $20/month) | Free + Paid (around $15/month) |
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Pick?
- 🧱 Use Firebase Studio if you are building an app using Firebase backend services like database, hosting, and login. It includes a built-in Firebase Console and uses Gemini AI to help you.
- 👨💻 Use Cursor if you are a developer who wants to code faster, fix bugs quickly, and get AI explanations for code.
- 📊 Use Windsurf if you want to build tools or dashboards without writing code. Perfect for non-coders and product teams.
Top 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Firebase, cursor and windsurf
1. What is Firebase Studio, and how does it differ from Cursor and Windsurf?
Firebase Studio is a full-stack backend platform, while Cursor and Windsurf focus on AI-powered development tools.
2. Which tool is best for beginners: Firebase Studio, Cursor, or Windsurf?
Firebase Studio is the easiest for beginners, thanks to its user-friendly setup and great documentation.
3. Is Cursor really better than Firebase Studio for AI code completion?
Yes, Cursor offers more advanced AI features for coding compared to Firebase Studio.
4. Can Windsurf handle large-scale backend systems like Firebase Studio?
Not yet. Firebase is still better for scalable, production-ready backend solutions.
5. Which platform is faster for building MVPs: Firebase Studio, Cursor, or Windsurf?
Firebase Studio is fastest for MVPs due to its plug-and-play backend features.
6. Is Firebase Studio still relevant in 2025 compared to Cursor and Windsurf?
Yes, especially for real-time apps, Firebase remains highly relevant.
7. Do Cursor and Windsurf offer better AI-powered features than Firebase Studio?
Yes, both focus more on AI-driven development than Firebase.
8. Which one is more affordable for startups: Firebase Studio, Cursor, or Windsurf?
Firebase Studio has a generous free tier; Cursor and Windsurf may charge for premium AI features.
9. Can I switch from Firebase Studio to Cursor or Windsurf easily?
Partially. Frontend changes are easier, but backend migrations require effort.
10. Which tool supports better team collaboration features?
Cursor is stronger for real-time code collaboration; Firebase is better for backend teamwork.
11. What kind of customer support do Cursor, Firebase Studio, and Windsurf offer?
Firebase has extensive community and official support; others are catching up.
12. Are there major security differences between Firebase Studio, Cursor, and Windsurf?
Firebase leads in built-in security tools; others depend more on external practices.
13. Which tool is best for real-time applications like chats or games?
Firebase Studio, hands down—real-time data is its specialty.
14. What are developers saying in 2025 about Cursor, Firebase Studio, and Windsurf?
Cursor is praised for AI coding, Firebase for reliability, and Windsurf for innovation.
15. So… which one should YOU use: Firebase Studio, Cursor, or Windsurf?
It depends: use Firebase for full apps, Cursor for smart coding, and Windsurf for creative AI workflows.
