Decalyst vs Cursor
Cursor is a VS Code fork with a subscription model ($20/mo Pro) and deep Composer integration. It has no credit-based pricing, limited BYOK support, and no built-in security scanning. Best for VS Code power users who want the deepest fork experience.
Pick Decalyst if:
You want credits as flexible currency, built-in security scanning, or native desktop IDE without VS Code legacy.
Pick Cursor if:
You want the tightest VS Code fork experience and are comfortable with seat-based subscription pricing.
| Dimension | Decalyst | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Credits, $1 buys 500 credits, no feature gates | Subscription, $20/mo Pro with Composer + Tab + Chat features |
| BYOK LLM keys | Yes, zero markup on every tier | Limited BYOK support on select models, not all |
| Local model support | Embeddings local, generation hosted on DigitalOcean inference | Primarily cloud-based, limited local model integration |
| Security scan on every diff | Yes, 20-point scanner included on Free | No built-in security scanning |
| IDE depth | Native desktop (Tauri 2 + Monaco) | VS Code fork, Composer + Tab editing |
| Agent specialization | 9 named agents (Dispatch, Echo, Lens, Chuck, Scout, Nova, Forge, Hawk, Pixel) | Composer agent for multi-file edits, Tab autocomplete |
| Telemetry | Opt-in only | Telemetry enabled by default (can be disabled) |
| When to pick | Flexible credit budget, security-first workflows, fresh IDE architecture | Deep VS Code fork loyalty, predictable monthly spend |
Pricing
Cursor uses traditional monthly subscriptions: Pro tier at $20/mo includes Composer, Tab, and Chat. There is no per-request cost or credit system; you pay a fixed seat license. Decalyst instead uses flexible credits (500 per $1, no paywall between tiers), so you pay only for what you use, with no commitment or monthly billing.
BYOK and key handling
Cursor offers BYOK on some models but not all; check their docs for current support. Decalyst supports BYOK on every tier with zero markup, meaning your key usage is billed at cost without surcharge. For both, never commit keys to source control; use environment variables or secure vaults.
Local vs hosted models
Cursor runs primarily on cloud inference. Decalyst runs embeddings locally and code generation on DigitalOcean-hosted inference, balancing privacy and performance. Neither fully supports private Ollama or LM Studio for coder agents yet, though Cline and Aider do.
Security review on every diff
Cursor has no built-in security scanner. Decalyst includes a mandatory 20-point security scanner on every diff, free on all tiers. This catches injection, XSS, secrets, and other issues before they land in your codebase, part of Decalyst's core promise.
IDE depth and architecture
Cursor is a deeply optimized VS Code fork; you get all VS Code extensions and workflows. Decalyst is a native desktop app (Tauri 2 + Monaco editor) with a fresh architecture, no VS Code legacy cruft, and faster startup. Cursor will feel more familiar to VS Code users; Decalyst offers a cleaner slate.
Telemetry and privacy posture
Cursor collects telemetry by default, though you can disable it. Decalyst is opt-in only: no telemetry without your explicit consent. Both are commercial products; review their privacy policies for details on data retention and third-party sharing.
When to pick which
Pick Cursor if you live in VS Code and want the most faithful extension compatibility. Pick Decalyst for flexible per-request billing, always-on security scanning, and a cleaner native desktop experience without VS Code constraints.