Compare
Orbit vs Cursor
Different jobs. Cursor is an editor that makes writing and owning code faster. Orbit runs the app for people who would rather not hold the code at all.
Free to try. Cursor makes you faster in code; Orbit takes the code away.
Different jobs
Cursor and Orbit solve different problems
Cursor is a code editor that makes a developer faster. Orbit runs the app for people who are not writing code.
Cursor
A code editor for developers
You write and own the code, in a full editor on your machine.
AI helps you edit, refactor, and move through your codebase.
You bring and run the backend, auth, and hosting yourself.
Best when you are a developer shipping and maintaining code.
Orbit
A builder that runs the product
Describe the app and compose the screens, data and sign-in.
A Postgres backend, auth, and an API are set up for you.
It launches on your own domain, with nothing to host or manage.
Best when you want a working product without touching code.
Where they differ
Where the two part ways
Checked against Cursor's own docs on 25 July 2026. Every Cursor claim links its source.
What runs your app
Orbit
A Postgres database, auth, and hosting are set up and run for you, on your own domain.
Cursor
Nothing. Cursor edits code; you set up and run the backend, auth, and hosting yourself.
Cursor featuresThe code
Orbit
There is no source-code download in the product. You reach the app and its data through a REST API on your domain.
How it is priced
Orbit
1 credit = 1 dollar, usage-based, credits never expire, and you can bring your own provider account.
Cursor
A subscription: a free tier, Pro at $20 a month, Teams at $40 a user, with model usage beyond the included amount billed as you go.
Cursor pricingFair is fair
When Cursor is the better pick
Cursor is a full AI code editor for developers: tab completion, chat, and agent modes over your codebase, plus cloud agents that open pull requests. If you write and maintain code and want to move faster in an editor, Cursor is built for that.
The short answer
Pick Cursor
if you write code and want an AI editor that makes you faster in your codebase.
Pick Orbit
if you want the app built and run for you, backend and domain included, without touching code.
They differ
Cursor is for writing code; Orbit is for shipping a product. Some developers use both.
Questions, answered
Is Cursor an app builder like Orbit?
No. Cursor is an AI code editor for developers; it makes writing and owning code faster, but you provide and run the backend, auth and hosting yourself.
Does Cursor host my app or give me a database?
No. Cursor edits code; you provide and run the backend, auth, and hosting yourself. An Orbit app comes with a Postgres backend and auth, and runs on your domain.
Can I use both?
Yes. A developer can write code in Cursor and build a running product in Orbit. They solve different problems.
Which is cheaper?
They price differently. Cursor is a monthly subscription with usage-based model billing. Orbit is a flat dollar per credit that never expires. It depends on whether you want an editor or a running product.
Build the app, not the codebase
Start free on Orbit and describe what you want. It builds and runs the product for you.
Free to build. Your first live app is free on your own domain.
Made in Orbit