Zed
High-performance, open-source code editor written in Rust with built-in agentic AI editing and real-time collaboration.
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Our take
A blazingly fast, open-source editor that bakes agentic AI and multiplayer collaboration in at the core rather than bolting them on.
Best for
Developers who want a fast native editor with model-agnostic AI agents and open-source transparency.
Pros
- Written in Rust for speed; uses multiple CPU cores and the GPU
- Open source and free to use
- Agent Panel and Agent Client Protocol work with many models and agents
- Built-in Git and real-time collaboration
Cons
- Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
- Some AI features depend on paid model providers
- Newer to Windows than to macOS and Linux
How it compares
Versus Cursor, Zed is open source and prioritizes raw editor performance, while remaining compatible with external agents like Claude and Codex.
Full review
Zed is a from-scratch code editor in Rust from the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, reaching 1.0 in 2026. It is built for speed and bakes in agentic editing through an Agent Panel and the Agent Client Protocol, which lets it work with a range of external agents.
Because it is open source and free, it appeals to developers wary of lock-in. The trade-off is a younger ecosystem than VS Code. For those who prize performance and openness, it is one of the strongest AI-native editors.
Cloudkart Rubric
4.2/5 avg- Actual Utility4/5
- Ease of Use4/5
- Pricing Fairness5/5
- Reliability4/5
- Differentiation4/5
Community reviews
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