Zed Review: Features, Pricing & Alternatives

Fast open source code editor built in Rust, with AI agents, edit predictions and real-time collaboration.

FreemiumCodingReviewed October 2026

What is Zed?

Zed is an open source code editor written in Rust and designed for speed. It uses multiple CPU cores and the GPU to stay responsive on large projects, and it combines a classic editor with AI features: an agent panel, an inline assistant, edit predictions and support for external agents such as Claude Agent and Codex through the Agent Client Protocol.

Zed is made by Zed Industries, co-founded by Nathan Sobo, one of the creators of the Atom editor. The source code was opened in 2024, Linux support arrived in July 2024 and Windows in October 2025. Sequoia Capital led a $32 million investment in 2025, and Zed reached version 1.0 on 29 April 2026.

What makes Zed different is that AI is optional and pluggable rather than the whole product. You can use Zed’s hosted models, bring your own keys, run external agents, or turn AI off entirely. Built-in multiplayer editing and screen sharing also make it one of the few editors designed for real-time pair programming.

Key features of Zed

Native performanceBuilt in Rust with GPU-accelerated rendering, so opening files, searching and typing stay fast even in big codebases.
Agent panelAsk an AI agent to make multi-file changes, then review the edits as diffs before accepting them.
External agents via ACPRun Claude Agent, Codex and other ACP-compatible agents directly inside Zed.
Edit predictionsZed’s open model Zeta2 predicts your next edit as you type, with unlimited predictions on paid plans.
Real-time collaborationShare projects, edit together and screen share with teammates without extra tools.
Bring your own keysConnect your own model provider keys on any plan, or disable AI features completely.

Who is Zed best for?

Performance-minded developers who find Electron-based editors slow on large projects.
Developers who want AI on their terms because they can pick hosted models, their own keys, external agents or no AI at all.
Pair programmers and remote teams thanks to built-in multiplayer editing and screen sharing.
Teams needing AI governance since the Business plan adds org-wide model policies and data controls.

Popular ways to use Zed

Everyday coding: use Zed as a fast main editor with Git, debugging and language servers.
Agentic edits: ask the agent panel to refactor a module and review each change as a diff.
Agent switching: run Claude Agent or Codex inside Zed while keeping your editor setup.
Pair programming: invite a colleague to edit the same files live during a debugging session.
Private coding: turn AI off or use your own keys for sensitive projects.

Zed pricing (October 2026)

Plan	Price	What you get
Personal	Free	Full editor, 2,000 accepted edit predictions, unlimited AI with your own API keys
Pro	$10/month	Unlimited edit predictions, Zed-hosted models with $5 monthly token credit, extra usage at API list price plus 10%; 14-day trial
Business	$30/seat/month	Unlimited edit predictions, org-wide AI model policies, data governance, spend visibility, role-based access; usage billed separately

Hosted AI usage beyond the included Pro credit is billed at the provider’s list price plus 10%, and Business plans have no bundled credits. Bringing your own keys is supported on all plans.

Zed pros and cons

Pros

Very fast and responsive editor
Open source with optional, pluggable AI
Supports external agents through ACP
Built-in real-time collaboration
Low-cost Pro plan

Cons

Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
Hosted AI usage beyond the credit is pay-as-you-go
Some features familiar from older IDEs are still being added
Teams moving from JetBrains may miss deep refactoring tools

How to get started with Zed

Download Zed for macOS, Linux or Windows from zed.dev.
Import VS Code or JetBrains keybindings if you prefer them.
Open the agent panel and choose a hosted model or add your own key.
Install extensions for your languages and themes.
Try edit predictions and decide whether Pro’s unlimited predictions are worth it.

Tips to get better results from Zed

Use external agents through ACP if you already pay for Claude or Codex.
Set a spending limit on hosted model usage in your account settings.
Use the collaboration features for code reviews and debugging sessions.
Turn off AI per project if you work on code that must stay private.

Zed vs alternatives

Cursor is an AI-first editor built on VS Code with a large extension catalogue, while Zed is a native editor focused on speed with AI as an option. JetBrains AI suits developers who want heavy IDE features and refactoring tools.

Zed pairs well with agents such as Claude Code and OpenAI Codex, and with GitHub Copilot users who mainly want completions. See all best AI coding tools.

Our verdict: is Zed worth it?

Zed is a great choice for developers who value speed and want to decide how much AI they use. If you depend on a large VS Code extension library or deep IDE refactoring, test your workflow during the free plan before switching.

Zed FAQs

Is Zed free?

Yes. The Personal plan is free and includes the full editor, 2,000 accepted edit predictions and unlimited AI with your own keys.

Is Zed open source?

Yes, Zed’s source code has been open since 2024, and its Zeta2 edit prediction model is open as well.

Does Zed run on Windows?

Yes, Zed supports macOS, Linux and Windows. Windows support arrived in October 2025.

Can I use Claude Code or Codex in Zed?

Yes, Zed supports external agents through the Agent Client Protocol, including Claude Agent and Codex.

Who makes Zed?

Zed Industries, co-founded by Nathan Sobo, one of the creators of the Atom editor.

Pricing and features change often. Details on this page were last reviewed in October 2026. Always confirm current plans on the official Zed website.