With OpenAI’s recent announcement of the ‘Canvas‘ interface for ChatGPT, many people, especially developers, have started comparing it with similar tools for coding tasks. One of these tools is the Cursor AI code editor, which offers an advanced code editor that provides insights or answers to questions about your code through a chat interface. So, how do the two code generation platforms compare? That’s what we discuss in today’s blog.
We’ll give you a detailed comparison of ChatGPT Canvas and Cursor AI’s features, pricing, performance, practical use-case scenarios, and overall capabilities to help you determine the best option for your coding requirements.
Overview of ChatGPT Canvas and Cursor AI
ChatGPT Canvas is a new interface introduced by OpenAI that enhances the traditional ChatGPT experience by providing a dedicated workspace for writing and coding projects. As per OpenAI, the plan is to give users an experience that goes beyond simple chat. Canvas allows users to interact with the AI in a more structured way, focusing on specific tasks within a project. You can read more about ChatGPT Canvas and its features by following this link.
Cursor AI, on the other hand, is an innovative AI-assisted code editor that started as a fork of the popular Visual Studio Code (VS Code) platform. It’s designed to enhance coding efficiency and quality and integrates advanced AI features, making it an attractive option for developers who want a robust coding assistant. Another thing that makes Cursor stand out is that it assists in cleaning up existing code by suggesting optimizations such as converting loops to list comprehensions or removing unused variables. To learn more about the Cursor AI code editor, follow this link.
ChatGPT Canvas vs Cursor AI Features Comparison
User Interface and Experience
Let’s use tables to highlight the differences:
| Feature | ChatGPT Canvas | Cursor AI |
| Workspace | Separate window alongside chat | Visual Studio Code-like interface |
| Code Generation | Natural language commands, highlighting | Real-time suggestions, smart completion |
| Collaboration | Supports collaborative editing | Real-time collaboration and codebase chat |
| Language Support | Multiple languages including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C++, and PHP | Excels in JavaScript, Python, and TypeScript, but supports others |
Code Generation and Editing
| Category | ChatGPT Canvas | Cursor AI |
| Code Generation | Generates code snippets, adds comments | Generates entire functions, proactive debugging |
| Code Modification | Requests modifications, explanations | Extensive refactoring options, detailed explanations |
| Code Review | Suggests edits based on best practices | Automated code review and smart suggestions |
While impressive, ChatGPT Canvas does not execute the code (see the screenshot below) or generate a preview, unlike some alternatives such as Claude Artifacts and Bind AI. Cursor AI may also misplace generated code, struggle with complex bug detection, and occasionally forget context after inactivity.
Post link: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPTCoding/comments/1fvyivo/chatgpt_canvas_is_really_amazing/
Performance Benchmarks
| Metric | ChatGPT Canvas | Cursor AI |
| Time Savings | Reported significant time savings for boilerplate code and documentation | Developers noted up to a 30% increase in coding speed |
| Code Quality | Inline feedback mechanism for early error detection | Proactive debugging capabilities |
Pricing Structure
Pricing for ChatGPT Canvas
Currently available as part of the ChatGPT Plus subscription at $20/month. Pre-applied if you have the subscription.
Pricing for Cursor AI Code Editor
See this table:
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Hobby | Free | 2000 completions 50 slow premium requests Pro 2 week trial |
| Pro | $20/Month | Everything in Hobby, plus: Unlimited completions 500 fast premium requests per month Unlimited slow premium requests 10 o1-mini uses per day |
| Business | $40/User/Month | Everything in Pro, plus: Enforce privacy mode org-wide Centralized team billing Admin dashboard with usage stats |
Learning Curve and Usability
ChatGPT Canvas
- Designed with user-friendliness in mind; even beginners can quickly adapt due to its intuitive interface.
- The natural language processing capabilities make it accessible for users unfamiliar with coding syntax.
Cursor AI
- While it retains some complexity due to its advanced features, many users report a smooth learning curve thanks to its integration with Visual Studio Code.
- Users may take some time to fully explore all functionalities but often find substantial productivity gains once accustomed.
Collaboration Features
ChatGPT Canvas offers built-in collaboration tools that enable multiple users to work on projects simultaneously, allowing real-time review and editing of changes made by any user. On the other hand, Cursor AI supports collaborative coding through shared projects but lacks some of the real-time editing features available in ChatGPT Canvas.
Security and Privacy
Both tools prioritize user security but take different approaches. ChatGPT Canvas ensures that no user data is stored externally during interactions, while Cursor AI offers privacy modes and SOC2 compliance, ensuring that sensitive codebases remain secure during use.
ChatGPT Canvas and Cursor AI Examples to Try
You can try the following examples of coding prompts; enter them in the Cursor AI code editor or ChatGPT Canvas interface to see what they generate:
- Python: “Write a Python function that reads a file with names and scores in the format ‘name’ and returns a dictionary of names and scores, along with the highest scorer.”
- JavaScript: “Write a JavaScript function that takes an array of objects representing products (name, price, quantity) and returns the total inventory value.”
- Java: “Create a Java program that calculates and prints the factorial of a number using recursion.”
- C++: “Write a C++ program that reads an integer array, sorts it in ascending order, and removes duplicates.”
Which Is Best for Coding?
Choosing between ChatGPT Canvas and Cursor AI ultimately depends on your specific needs as a developer:
If you prefer a collaborative environment where you can interactively edit projects with an AI partner while leveraging natural language commands, ChatGPT Canvas may be the better choice. Its ability to provide inline feedback and adaptively assist during coding tasks makes it an excellent tool for both beginners and experienced developers alike.
Conversely, if you are looking for a robust coding assistant that integrates seamlessly into your existing development workflow with advanced debugging capabilities, then Cursor AI stands out as a powerful option. Its deep understanding of project context allows it to offer precise suggestions that can significantly enhance coding efficiency. But if you want the best of both worlds, you should try Bind AI Copilot, which offers advanced models like Claude 3.5 Sonnet and features like GitHub integration.