Developers want a lower-cost AI IDE with a builder mode and a generous free tier. This guide maps your config files, walks a 4-step migration checklist and prices the seat delta for a 10-dev team.
01Migration brief
Developers want a lower-cost AI IDE with a builder mode and a generous free tier. Same entry price ($8/mo per seat).
Cursor
Anysphere $8 per month · FreemiumCursor is an AI-native code editor that functions as a coding agent capable of autonomously planning, building, and testing software features. It supports multi-agent collaboration, codebase indexing, and provides a unified workspace for managing complex development tasks.
Trae
ByteDance $8 per month · FreemiumTRAE is an AI-native development environment that integrates advanced coding agents with traditional IDE features. It supports a unified workflow across desktop, web, and mobile platforms, allowing users to switch between hands-on coding and fully autonomous agentic tasks.
02Rules & cost
Convert Cursor rules to the Trae format, then review the output before committing.
Same entry price ($8/mo per seat).
034-step checklist
- 01
Audit & export your Cursor rulesCursor reads repo-level rules from .cursor/rules/*.mdc. Convert them to .trae/rules/project_rules.md with the Rules Converter, then review the output before committing. Open →
- 02
Install & configure TraeDownload Trae from the official site. Trae reads plain-Markdown project rules; paste the AGENTS.md output into this file. Pricing: Freemium — entry plan Lite at $8/mo. Open ↗
- 03
Adapt your daily workflow (AI IDEs → AI IDEs)You stay inside a full editor, but the agent surface moves — expect a short relearning curve for where edits, diffs and chat live. Trae is best for developers managing complex projects or long-running tasks who need both fine-grained IDE control and advanced AI agents to handle requirement breakdown, code generation, and debugging.
- 04
Run a one-week parallel pilot, then reallocate seatsSame entry price ($8/mo per seat). Keep Cursor active for one sprint while Trae handles new tasks; cancel seats only after velocity holds. Open →
04Trade-offs
What you gain
- Trae is best for developers managing complex projects or long-running tasks who need both fine-grained IDE control and advanced AI agents to handle requirement breakdown, code generation, and debugging.
- SOLO mode for autonomous AI planning and execution.
- Multi-platform support (Desktop, Web, Mobile).
- Deep codebase context management and memory.
What you give up
- Cursor is positioned for developers looking for a deep-integrated AI coding experience that can manage long-running tasks, codebase context, and autonomous feature building. — confirm Trae covers that before cancelling seats.
- Trae is not ideal for users seeking a simple, non-AI-integrated text editor, as the platform is heavily optimized for AI-driven, agentic development workflows that require specific configurations.
Running both together: Running both is mostly redundant — pilot Trae on one repo for a sprint, then pick one.
05Spec sheet
| Cursor | Trae | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Anysphere | ByteDance |
| Category | AI-Native IDEs & Editors | AI-Native IDEs & Editors |
| Pricing | Freemium Free tier available. Paid plans (The X Subscription) start at $8/month (Plus), with Premium ($30/mo), Super ($100/mo), and Ultra ($200/mo) tiers. Teams plans are available at $30+ per seat/month. | Freemium TRAE operates on a token-based subscription model with five tiers: Free, Lite ($8/month), Pro ($20/month), Pro+ ($60/month), and Ultra ($200/month). It features a dollar-based usage quota system, and users can enable pay-as-you-go On-Demand Usage for continued access once allowances are exhausted. |
| Entry paid plan | Plus ($8/mo) | Lite ($8/mo) |
| Rules file | .cursor/rules/*.mdc | .trae/rules/project_rules.md |
| Key features |
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06FAQ
How do I convert my Cursor rules to Trae?+
Cursor reads .cursor/rules/*.mdc and Trae reads .trae/rules/project_rules.md. Run them through the Rules Converter (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=cursor-mdc&to=agents-md) and review the output before committing.
Is Trae cheaper than Cursor?+
Cursor starts at Plus ($8/mo); Trae starts at Lite ($8/mo). Same entry price ($8/mo per seat).
What do I lose when switching from Cursor to Trae?+
Cursor is positioned for developers looking for a deep-integrated AI coding experience that can manage long-running tasks, codebase context, and autonomous feature building. — confirm Trae covers that before cancelling seats. Trae is not ideal for users seeking a simple, non-AI-integrated text editor, as the platform is heavily optimized for AI-driven, agentic development workflows that require specific configurations.
Can I use Cursor and Trae together?+
Running both is mostly redundant — pilot Trae on one repo for a sprint, then pick one.