Zed
Open-source, high-performance code editor with built-in AI completions, inline editing and an agentic mode for multi-file tasks.
Overview
Zed is an open-source code editor written in Rust, designed to be fast even on large codebases. It includes first-party AI features: inline completions, an edit mode that rewrites a selected block, and an agentic mode that reads files, runs commands and makes multi-step edits. Models from multiple providers are available through Zed's AI service, or you can point it at your own endpoint. Zed also has built-in real-time collaboration, letting two developers edit the same file simultaneously.
Key features
- Inline AI completions
- Edit mode for selection-level AI rewrites
- Agentic mode for multi-file task execution
- Real-time multi-developer collaboration
- Bring-your-own model endpoint support
Pricing
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- Monthly
- From $10/month
- Yearly
- Not on record
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- Not on record
- Last verified
- Checked October 4, 2026
Pros
- Very fast editor performance compared to Electron-based alternatives
- Real-time collaboration built in without a plugin
- Open-source and auditable
Cons
- Windows support is currently limited
- Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
Who should use it
- Developers who want a fast native editor with AI built in rather than a plugin
- Teams that want real-time collaborative editing alongside AI assistance
- Rust, Go and systems developers who value editor performance
Intermediate, Advanced · Individuals, Small teams, Mid-size teams
Who shouldn't
- Developers who depend on VS Code or JetBrains extensions not available in Zed
- Windows users, as Zed's Windows support is currently limited
Facts
- Category
- AI coding
- Platforms
- macOS, Linux
- Integrations
- GitHub, Anthropic API, OpenAI API
- API
- Not on record
- Skill level
- Intermediate, Advanced
- Team size
- Individuals, Small teams, Mid-size teams
- Data and privacy
- Zed is open-source; you can inspect the client code and route AI requests at your own endpoint to control where data goes.
Alternatives
- CursorAI coding
AI-first code editor built on VS Code that autocompletes, answers questions and applies multi-file changes from a single instruction.
From $20/month - GitHub CopilotAI coding
AI pair programmer for VS Code, JetBrains and other editors that suggests completions and can make agentic multi-file changes.
From $10/month - ClineAI coding
Open-source VS Code extension that gives Claude, GPT-4 and other models agentic access to your files, terminal and browser.
Open source, free to self-host
Frequently asked questions
How much does Zed cost?
From $10/month. Checked October 4, 2026.
Does Zed have a free plan?
Yes. Zed has a free plan.
Who is Zed best for?
Developers who want a fast native editor with AI built in rather than a plugin; Teams that want real-time collaborative editing alongside AI assistance; Rust, Go and systems developers who value editor performance.
Which platforms does Zed run on?
macOS, Linux.
Does Zed have an API?
Our data does not list a public API for Zed.
What are the alternatives to Zed?
Tools often weighed against Zed include Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Cline.