Cursor vs Modal
Which Developer Tools AI tool is better in 2026?
Cursor
The AI code editor built for productive engineers.
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling.
Side-by-side
Cursor is the more established option (raised $7.6B), but Modal is cheaper to start.
| Metric | Cursor | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | The AI code editor built for productive engineers. | High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling. |
| Foundedi | 2022 | 2021🏆 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | New York, US |
| Employeesi | 51-200 | 51-200 |
| Neuron scorei | 84🏆 | 60 |
| Total fundingi | $7.6B🏆 | $442M |
| Latest roundi | Series D · Nov 2025 | Series C · May 2026 |
| Valuationi | $29.3B🏆 | $4.7B |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pro · $20/mo | Pricing not disclosed🏆 |
| Free plani | ✓ Hobby | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✓ | ✗ |
| Top tier pricei | Ultra · $200/mo | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | 5 published plans | Freemium |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Cursor and Modal.
| Capability | Cursor | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✓ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | 3 (Python, JavaScript, Go) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✓ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Cursor
- Has raised more capital ($7.6B vs $442M)
- Higher Neuron score (84 vs 60)
- Offers a free plan
- Offers a free trial
🔵 Strengths of Modal
- More mature (2021)
Which should you choose?
Choose Modal if price matters most — it starts at Freemium, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Developer Tools tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Cursor if you want the most established option — it has raised $7.6B, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
💸 Deals
14-day Cursor Pro free trial
Try Cursor Pro free for 14 days — unlimited completions, fast premium model requests, and agent mode for AI-first coding.
Terms: New users only. Card required.
Frequently asked questions
Cursor vs Modal — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Cursor has raised more capital and is the more established option; Modal is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cursor cheaper than Modal?
No — Modal's cheapest paid plan is Freemium, while Cursor's is Pro · $20/mo.
Do Cursor and Modal offer free plans?
Cursor: Yes, has a free plan. Modal: Paid only.
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