Trae vs Cursor vs Devin: Which AI Coding Buddy Actually Delivers?
Trae vs Cursor vs Devin: Which AI Coding Buddy Actually Delivers?
By [TraeRules], February 17, 2025
Let me paint you a picture: Last week, I tried building a meme generator app using four different AI coding tools. The results? Trae had me laughing (at how fast it worked), Cursor left me frustrated (with its paywalls), Devin made me feel obsolete (in a cool existential crisis way), and GitHub Copilot... well, it just kept suggesting cat GIF APIs. Let’s break down these tools like we’re comparing smartphones at a tech meetup.
1. Trae: The People’s Champion
“Like having a coding BFF who brings boba tea to your all-nighter”
Why devs are obsessed:
- Claude 3.5 for free – Unlimited access without selling your kidney
- Builder Mode – Describe your project like you’re texting a friend:
“Yo, make me a TikTok clone but for cat videos” → Gets you 80% there in 20 mins - Chinese-native – Finally an IDE that doesn’t make you Google Translate error messages
Reality check:
- Crashes more than a Windows 98 PC (7 times in 48 hours for me)
- Git integration feels like teaching your grandma to use Tinder
Best for: Bootstrappers, Chinese devs, anyone who hates subscription fees
2. Cursor: The VS Code Prodigy
“The overachiever cousin who’s great but kinda judgy”
Secret sauce:
- Context awareness – Remembers your project better than you do
- Cursor Rules – Train AI like a pet: “Always use TypeScript, never any emojis in code”
Annoying bits:
- Paywalls hit faster than Fortnite microtransactions
- English-first design makes Chinese devs feel like second-class citizens
Pro tip: Use it for legacy projects where context matters more than speed
3. Devin: The AI Colleague
“That one coworker who’s weirdly efficient but costs $500/month”
Mind-blowing features:
- Autonomous coding – Literally delegates tasks:
“Handle the user auth while I build the UI” → Actually does it - Slack integration – Sends PR reviews via DM like a normal human
Cold shower reality:
- Costs more than your car payment
- Makes juniors nervous about job security
Ideal user: Tech leads with corporate budgets to burn
4. GitHub Copilot: The OG
“The reliable Honda Civic of AI coding”
Why it sticks around:
- VS Code integration – Smooth as butter
- Free tier – Perfect for small projects
Where it falters:
- Code suggestions feel like a 2010s time capsule
- “Did you mean to write
consthere?” – No Karen, I meantlet. Chill.
Face-Off: Quick Comparison
| Trae | Cursor | Devin | GitHub Copilot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $20+/month | $500+/month | Freemium |
| AI Models | Claude 3.5 + GPT-4o | GPT-4 | Proprietary | Codex |
| Learning Curve | 15 mins | 30 mins | 1 hour+ | 10 mins |
| Chinese Support | Native | Plugins needed | None | Basic |
| Best Feature | Drag-and-drop AI | Context memory | Autonomous coding | VS Code harmony |
Real-World Showdown
Scenario: Building a weather app
- Trae: Uses Builder Mode to scaffold React app + auto-fix API errors → 45 mins
- Cursor: Perfectly implements TypeScript types → 1.5 hrs (plus $20 poorer)
- Devin: Builds app + writes docs + orders pizza → 30 mins (costs your quarterly bonus)
- Copilot: Suggests 2009-era jQuery solutions → You rage-quit and use OpenWeatherMap’s demo code
Who Should Use What?
- Students: Trae (free Claude access > ramen budget)
- Startups: Trae + Cursor combo (speed + precision)
- Enterprise Teams: Devin (if you’ve got Elon Musk money)
- Nostalgic Devs: Copilot (for that retro coding vibe)
Final Thoughts
Trae feels like the TikTok of IDEs – chaotic but revolutionary. Cursor’s the polished YouTube pro. Devin? That’s straight-up Black Mirror material. Choose based on your tolerance for chaos vs. your wallet’s depth.
Try them yourself: