VS Code forks like Cursor, Windsurf, and Google Antigravity may share a common foundation, but hands-on testing shows they reflect sharply different philosophies around AI autonomy, workflow structure, and developer control.
I'm a bit confused by the comparison between Windsurf and Antigravity. I thought Google got involved with Windsurf, and now Antigravity is essentially the next version of Windsurf.
Actually, they are now separate competitors: Google hired the original founders of Windsurf and licensed the tech to build Antigravity, while Cognition acquired the Windsurf brand and codebase. While they share a common origin, Antigravity is Google's Gemini-native evolution, whereas Windsurf continues as a standalone product under Cognition's leadership.