Kilo: Open Source Alternative to Cursor

Kilo is an open-source agentic engineering platform with 19k+ GitHub stars — a MIT-licensed alternative to Cursor and GitHub Copilot. One agent across VS Code, JetBrains, CLI, Slack, and cloud, with access to 500+ models via the Kilo gateway or your own API keys.

Compare Kilo with GitHub Copilot and Claude Code before you choose your stack.

Key features

Agent capabilities

• Generate, refactor, and debug code from natural language
• Run terminal commands and automate browser tasks
• Inline autocomplete as you type
• Self-checking workflow — the agent verifies its own work
• MCP Server Marketplace to extend agent tools

Specialized modes

• Architect — planning and system design
• Coder — implementation and feature building
• Debugger — troubleshooting and fixes
• Create custom modes with tailored prompts and tool access

Platforms

• VS Code extension (Marketplace)
• JetBrains plugin
• CLI: npm install -g @kilocode/cli then run kilo in any project
• Slack and cloud integrations

Models & pricing

• 500+ models through Kilo Gateway — API keys optional
• Switch models without changing tools (kilo models, kilo stats)
• CLI forked from OpenCode, enhanced for the Kilo platform
• #1 coding agent on OpenRouter — 1.5M+ users

Kilo vs Cursor

	Kilo	Cursor
License	MIT (open source)	Proprietary
Models	Bring your own keys / local models	Vendor-locked models
Deployment	Self-hosted or cloud	SaaS only
Privacy	Data stays on your infrastructure	Processed by vendor
Cost	Free software + API usage	Subscription pricing

Choose Kilo if you want open-source code, self-hosting options, and full control over your data and deployment.

Choose Cursor if you prefer a managed proprietary product with vendor support and minimal setup.

Browse more open-source alternatives to Cursor, or explore other tools in Developer Tools.

At a glance

License	MIT
Interfaces	VS Code, JetBrains, CLI, Slack, Cloud
Models	500+ (BYOK or Kilo Gateway)
CLI install	npm i -g @kilocode/cli
Based on	OpenCode fork (CLI)

Getting started

Install the VS Code extension or CLI, connect your API keys or use Kilo credits, and pick a mode for your task. Full docs at kilo.ai/docs.

FAQ

Is Kilo a free alternative to Cursor?

Yes. Kilo is open source under MIT. You can self-host it at no software cost — you only pay for infrastructure or optional managed services.

How does Kilo compare to Cursor?

Kilo gives you source code access, self-hosting, and data ownership. Cursor is a proprietary product focused on managed convenience. See the comparison table above for a side-by-side breakdown.

Can I self-host Kilo?

Yes. Kilo supports self-hosted deployment, which is a core reason teams choose it over Cursor. Check the Getting started or Self-hosting section for install commands.

Is Kilo suitable for production?

Kilo is actively maintained with a strong open-source community. Many teams run it in production as a Developer Tools alternative to Cursor. Review the At a glance table for license and stack details.

What are alternatives to Kilo and Cursor?

Browse alternatives to Cursor for more open-source options, including tools compared to GitHub Copilot. Explore the full Developer Tools category for related projects.