Factr-I vs Cursor
Factr-I is a free, MIT-licensed desktop agent that works in your folders with any model, local ones included. Cursor is a proprietary AI code editor whose requests go through Cursor's servers, even with your own API key. Cursor is the better fit if you want an editor; Factr-I if you want an agent that keeps data local.
Not benchmarked yet. This page compares what each product is, checked against each vendor's own documentation, until it has been run on the same tasks as Factr-I.
At a glance
| Feature | Factr-I | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes, MIT | No |
| How you run it | Desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux. No CLI. | Desktop code editor, CLI, and web and cloud agents |
| Models | ChatGPT sign-in, API keys for OpenAI and other providers, or your own endpoint | Cursor's models, plus third-party models and your own keys on paid plans |
| Local models | Yes, through Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible server | Not documented |
| Price of the tool | Free. You pay your model provider, if any. | Limited free plan. Paid from $8 a month. |
| Where your chats live | On your computer. Nothing is sent to Refactr. | Requests go through Cursor's servers. Privacy Mode turns off training. |
Where each one leads
Where Factr-I leads
- Open source under MIT. Cursor's source is not published.
- Runs local models through Ollama. Cursor documents no local model support.
- Prompts go straight to the provider you pick. Cursor routes every request through its own backend.
Where Cursor leads
- Cursor is a full code editor with cloud agents, a CLI and integrations. Factr-I is an agent, not an editor.
- Cursor offers its own models and many third-party ones on its paid plans.
- Cursor is available today. Factr-I is on a waitlist.
Sources: Cursor models, Cursor API keys, Cursor pricing, Cursor data use.
Questions
Is Factr-I a code editor like Cursor?
No. Factr-I is a desktop agent that works in your folders. Cursor is a code editor with an agent built in.
Does Cursor send my code to its servers?
Yes. Requests go through Cursor's backend, even with your own key. Privacy Mode stops training on your code.
Can Cursor run local models?
Cursor's docs do not describe local model support. Factr-I runs local models through Ollama.
Which costs less?
Factr-I is free; you pay only your model provider. Cursor has a limited free plan, and paid plans start at $8 a month.