Replit and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) both let you tell an AI what you want and watch code change, but the setups differ. Replit is a browser-based coding platform with an AI Agent that builds and publishes projects. Devin Desktop is an AI code editor from Cognition. Its docs and pricing now live on Devin's sites, so older tutorials may not match.
The short version
| Replit | Devin Desktop | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Browser platform with an AI Agent | AI code editor |
| Where you work | The browser | An app on your computer |
| Free plan | Yes, a free mode | Yes: unlimited Tab completions and inline edits, light agent quota |
| Publishing | Publish button, public .replit.app URL | Not its purpose |
| MCP | Yes, per Replit's docs | Yes (stdio, Streamable HTTP, SSE) |
| Project instructions | Check Replit's docs | Reads AGENTS.md |
See replit.com/pricing and devin.ai/pricing for current plans.
What they have in common
- AI that edits code. You describe changes in plain English.
- Free plans. Both can be tried at no cost within limits.
- Real projects. Both work on actual code, not a visual-only canvas.
Key differences
Where the project lives. On Replit, everything happens in the browser: you build, run, preview and publish in one place. That makes it less suited to people who want their own local editor. Devin Desktop works on files on your computer.
Getting online. Replit's docs describe a Publish button that gives your app a public .replit.app URL, and republishing updates the same URL. Devin Desktop doesn't host anything for you, so you'd arrange deployment yourself.
The agent. Replit's Agent builds, runs and publishes from a description. Devin Desktop gives you autocomplete, inline edits and an agent inside an editor you drive. Its free plan is generous on completions but light on agents.
Setup. Replit needs none. Devin Desktop needs you to install it and open a project, and a full editor is a lot to take in if you've never used one.
Cost. Replit's costs depend on plan and usage. Devin Desktop's free plan covers a lot of everyday editing. Check each pricing page.
Naming churn. The 2026 rename means older tutorials may not match what you see.
Using them together
Possible but not seamless. You could start a project on Replit and later work on the code locally in Devin Desktop. We haven't verified Replit's export or Git options in detail, so check its docs before depending on that.
Who should pick what
- Beginner who wants something live today: Replit.
- Learning to code with everything in one tab: Replit.
- Developer who wants AI in a desktop editor: Devin Desktop.
- You already have a local project and tooling: Devin Desktop.
Our verdict
Replit is a place to build and host; Devin Desktop is a tool to edit code. Match the choice to whether you want a ready-made environment or you're bringing your own.