Comparison
Frontman vs Windsurf
Browser Middleware vs AI IDE
Frontman is a source-available AI coding agent with a distributed architecture. Its browser tools handle DOM inspection, screenshots, computed CSS, and element selection; its framework integration (Next.js, Astro, or Vite) owns local filesystem access; and its server orchestrates the agent loop and persists task history. You click elements in your running app, describe changes in plain English, and Frontman edits the actual source files with hot reload.
Windsurf is now named Devin Desktop. Cognition's desktop app retains Windsurf's full IDE foundation, extensions, workflows, settings, autocomplete, and JetBrains support. It expands that foundation into a command center for Devin and other ACP agents, with local and cloud sessions, isolated Spaces and worktrees, code review, terminals, and extensions.
The key distinction: Devin Desktop coordinates coding agents around a full IDE. Frontman puts browser runtime context at the center of the workflow. One is a desktop command center for local and cloud agents; the other works from your real browser with framework integration.
Disclosure: This page is published by the Frontman team. We've done our best to present Frontman and Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) accurately and fairly, but we are naturally biased toward our own product. We encourage you to try both tools and decide for yourself.
Capability and product-positioning facts last checked: . Pricing figures retain their publication snapshots and are not covered by this review date. Sources: Frontman documentation, Frontman source repository, Windsurf official website, Windsurf is now Devin Desktop announcement
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Frontman | Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| Sees live DOM & styles | Browser-side MCP server inspects the live page | Embedded preview panel — DOM only, no component tree |
| Sees computed CSS | Runtime values, not class names | Preview panel shows rendered output; agent reads source files |
| Click-to-select elements | Visual component selection in your browser | Click elements in embedded preview panel |
| Hot reload feedback loop | Instant in browser via HMR | Edits files; preview refreshes on rebuild |
| Inline autocomplete | Tab, Supercomplete, Tab-to-Jump, Tab-to-Import | |
| Agent mode | Browser-context agent | Devin and other ACP agents in local or cloud sessions |
| Multi-file refactoring | Can edit multiple files, not primary workflow | Agents work across isolated Spaces and worktrees |
| Terminal integration | Full IDE with integrated terminals and agent command execution | |
| Framework-aware | Deep plugin for Next.js, Astro, Vite — sees component tree | IDE-level file context, no framework runtime integration |
| Designer/PM friendly | No IDE needed — works in the browser | Requires IDE proficiency |
| Source availability | Source-available: Apache-2.0 browser/JS; GPL-2.0-or-later WordPress; AGPL-3.0-only server plus AI Supplementary Terms | Proprietary (VS Code fork, closed-source AI features) |
| BYOK (bring your own key) | Any LLM provider directly | Uses Devin Desktop's managed model access |
| Self-hostable | Server runs on your infrastructure; local integration owns filesystem access | Cloud service; enterprise on-prem available |
| Works in the browser | No IDE required | Devin Desktop is a desktop command center with a full IDE |
| Backend coding | Can read/write any file, but frontend-focused | Any language, any framework |
| MCP support | Browser-side MCP server | Plugin Store with curated MCP servers |
| Proprietary models | SWE-1.5 (claimed 13x faster than Sonnet 4.5) |
Sees live DOM & styles
Sees computed CSS
Click-to-select elements
Hot reload feedback loop
Inline autocomplete
Agent mode
Multi-file refactoring
Terminal integration
Framework-aware
Designer/PM friendly
Source availability
BYOK (bring your own key)
Self-hostable
Works in the browser
Backend coding
MCP support
Proprietary models
What Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) Does Well
Devin Desktop builds on Windsurf rather than replacing its IDE foundation. Existing extensions, workflows, settings, and familiar editing environment carry into the standard update.
Local and cloud agent sessions. Developers can run Devin or other ACP-compatible agents locally or in the cloud and move between sessions from one command center.
Parallel work in isolation. Spaces and worktrees let agents tackle separate tasks without colliding in one working directory.
Full IDE and review workflow. Code editing, autocomplete, terminals, extensions, and code review remain together instead of splitting agent orchestration from implementation and verification.
Editor continuity. The standard update retains JetBrains support alongside the Devin Desktop experience, so the renamed product is not limited to a new standalone agent UI.
Where Frontman Is Different
Windsurf's embedded browser preview is a step toward visual editing. But there's a structural difference between putting a browser inside an IDE and putting an AI agent inside the browser.
Frontman installs as a plugin for Next.js, Astro, or Vite. The local framework integration provides component-tree metadata (React, Vue, Svelte), server-side routes and logs, compilation errors, source maps, and filesystem tools, while the Frontman server orchestrates the agent loop. Windsurf's preview panel sees the rendered DOM, but it doesn't know that a particular <div> is a <ProductCard> component at line 47 of ProductCard.tsx.
Frontman also runs in your real browser, not an IDE panel. It serves at /frontman in Chrome, Firefox, or whatever you test with. You see the same page your users will see, at the same viewport width, with the same extensions and dev tools you always use. Windsurf's preview panel is a controlled embedded browser inside the IDE.
When you click an element in Frontman, the MCP server reads actual computed style values: real pixel dimensions, resolved colors, cascaded font sizes. It doesn't guess from class names. Devin Desktop agents read your source files and the IDE preview's rendered output, but don't have direct access to the CSS cascade or computed values at the level Frontman's browser-side MCP server does.
On licensing: Frontman's browser client and JavaScript framework integrations are Apache-2.0, and its WordPress plugin is GPL-2.0-or-later. The server is AGPL-3.0-only with AI Supplementary Terms, making the combined product source-available. You bring your own API keys to Claude, ChatGPT, OpenRouter, or any OpenAI-compatible provider. Windsurf is proprietary, uses its own model pool, and charges per-credit. You can't use your own LLM provider or self-host the AI features.
Frontman also doesn't require an IDE. Designers and product managers can open the app in a browser, click elements, and describe changes in plain English. The output is real source code edits for developer review. With Windsurf, you need the IDE installed and you need to know how to use it.
Who Should Use Windsurf (now Devin Desktop)
Devin Desktop is the better choice when you want a full AI IDE and agent command center in one place:
- Developers who want autocomplete, agents, and terminals in one tool. The retained IDE foundation and local/cloud sessions form a complete coding environment.
- Full-stack and backend developers. Any language, any framework, with purpose-built code search and refactoring.
- Teams on JetBrains IDEs. Devin Desktop retains Windsurf's JetBrains support.
- Teams coordinating parallel agent work. ACP agents, Spaces, worktrees, and code review keep local and cloud tasks organized.
- Enterprises with compliance requirements. SOC 2, HIPAA, FedRAMP certifications.
- Developers who want visual context without leaving the IDE. The embedded browser preview is a pragmatic middle ground.
Who Should Use Frontman
Frontman is the better choice when you need deep browser context and visual editing:
- Frontend developers who want the AI to see the actual rendered page. Computed styles, component tree, responsive behavior, and server logs in addition to source files.
- Teams where designers or PMs make UI changes. Click elements in the browser, describe changes, review code diffs. No IDE required.
- Next.js, Astro, or Vite projects where framework middleware gives the AI agent more context than file reading alone.
- Source-available and BYOK. Apache-2.0 browser client and JavaScript integrations; GPL-2.0-or-later WordPress plugin; AGPL-3.0-only server plus AI Supplementary Terms; any LLM provider; self-hostable.
- Developers who don't want to switch IDEs. Frontman works with whatever editor you already use. It only needs the browser.
Many developers will use both. Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf), Cursor, or another IDE can handle general coding and agent orchestration, while Frontman handles visual frontend work where the AI needs to see what's rendered.
See also: Frontman vs Cursor, Frontman vs GitHub Copilot, Frontman vs Stagewise.
Pricing Comparison
Frontman
Source-available, BYOK
- Unlimited usage, no caps or credits
- Bring your own API keys (Claude, ChatGPT, OpenRouter)
- Or sign in with Claude/ChatGPT subscription via OAuth
- Apache-2.0 browser/JS; GPL-2.0-or-later WordPress; AGPL-3.0-only server plus AI Supplementary Terms
- You pay your LLM provider directly
Windsurf (now Devin Desktop)
Freemium, proprietary
- Free: 25 Cascade credits/month, unlimited autocomplete
- Pro: $15/month — 500 credits/month
- Teams: $30/user/month — 500 credits/user, admin dashboard
- Enterprise: custom pricing — 1,000+ credits, SSO, RBAC
- Add-on: $10 for 250 extra credits
Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) Alternatives
If Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) isn't the right fit, here are other tools worth evaluating — and how they compare to Frontman.
Frontman
Source-available AI agent with browser DOM/CSS awareness and click-to-edit workflows.
Frontman vs Cursor
AI IDE with strong autocomplete and agent mode for full-stack workflows.
Frontman vs Claude Code
Terminal-native agent for multi-file coding, shell execution, and PR workflows.
Frontman vs GitHub Copilot
IDE-native assistant with autocomplete, chat, and GitHub integration.
Frontman vs Stagewise
Open-source agentic desktop IDE with filesystem agents, a browser engine, terminals, skills, and plugins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frontman an alternative to Windsurf?+
They solve different problems. Windsurf is now named Devin Desktop. It retains Windsurf's full IDE foundation while adding a command center for local and cloud coding agents, including Devin and other ACP agents. Frontman is browser middleware that integrates with your dev server (Next.js, Astro, Vite) and lets you click elements in your actual browser to edit code. For visual frontend editing where runtime context matters, Frontman is the source-available option. For general-purpose agent work with a dedicated IDE, Devin Desktop is the more complete tool.
How does Windsurf's browser preview compare to Frontman?+
Devin Desktop retains the Windsurf IDE foundation and its established workflows, including the embedded preview workflow. Frontman runs in your actual browser as framework middleware. The practical difference: an IDE preview shows rendered output, while Frontman's middleware integration maps the page to framework component hierarchy, computed CSS, routes, and logs.
Can I use Frontman and Windsurf together?+
Yes. Use Devin Desktop, formerly Windsurf, for general coding, parallel agent sessions, refactoring, and backend work. Use Frontman in the browser for visual frontend editing where you want to click UI elements and make changes with full runtime context. They edit the same source files and don't conflict.
How does Frontman pricing compare to Windsurf?+
Windsurf Free gives you 25 Cascade credits per month. Pro is $15/month for 500 credits. Frontman remains free to self-host under its source-available licensing terms. Hosted Frontman Pro is available now. You bring your own API keys to Claude, ChatGPT, or OpenRouter and pay those providers directly.
What happened to Windsurf?+
Cognition renamed Windsurf to Devin Desktop. The standard update preserves the Windsurf IDE foundation, extensions, workflows, settings, and JetBrains support, then adds a command center for local and cloud agents. The /vs/windsurf/ URL and Windsurf wording remain here so people searching for the former product name can find the current comparison.
Try Frontman
Self-host in one command or use hosted Frontman Pro now.
$ npx @frontman-ai/nextjs installNext.js$ npx @frontman-ai/vite installVite (React, Vue, Svelte, SolidJS)$ astro add @frontman-ai/astroAstro