Short answer: Windsurf, renamed Devin Desktop by Cognition in 2026, is an AI-first code editor for developers, with a board for managing local and cloud agents. Devfab is an AI software factory for teams: agents plan, build, test and deploy, with a person approving the plan. Choose Windsurf / Devin Desktop to make developers faster in their editor; choose Devfab to run delivery end to end.
A quick note on the name
Windsurf began as Codeium's AI editor. Cognition, the company behind the Devin agent, acquired it and in June 2026 renamed it Devin Desktop. Accounts, plans and settings carried over. The editor now opens to an agent command board, with the full IDE behind it, and pairs with Devin, Cognition's cloud agent that works in its own sandbox and opens pull requests. Many people still search for "Windsurf", so we use both names here.
What each tool is built for
Windsurf / Devin Desktop
An AI-native editor where developers work with agents on code: multi-file changes, a local agent, and hand-off to cloud agents managed from one board. It supports MCP connections and the open Agent Client Protocol, so other agents can run inside it. Its main user is a developer in an editor.
Devfab
A software factory where the unit of work is a project. You describe the app or connect a repo; the Planner writes a plan you approve; the Coordinator assigns tickets to developer agents; the QA agent reviews each ticket, including UI and flow tests; apps deploy to your own server. Its main users are teams: product owners, project leads, developers and clients.
Same brief, two workflows
Brief: "Add online rescheduling to our clinic booking app, with email confirmations."
With Windsurf / Devin Desktop, a developer opens the repo, asks the agent to implement rescheduling, reviews the diff, runs tests, and opens a pull request, or hands the task to a cloud agent and reviews its PR later. Planning, QA sign-off and deployment follow the team's own process.
With Devfab, the product owner describes the change on the existing workspace. The Planner proposes the change and its tickets, and the owner approves. ChainFlow shows which functions depend on the booking code (confirmation emails, the daily list, reminders), so developer agents account for them. The QA agent runs the reschedule flow end to end before the ticket is done.
Comparison table
| Aspect | Windsurf / Devin Desktop | Devfab |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Developers in an AI-first editor | Teams delivering projects end to end |
| Starting point | Code in your editor | A description, spec or existing repo |
| Plan approved before code | Up to the developer | Planner plan; you approve |
| Agent coordination | Board for local and cloud agents | Coordinator assigns tickets to developer agents |
| Tests | Up to the developer | QA agent reviews each ticket (can be turned off) |
| Dependency awareness | Editor context | ChainFlow maps which functions call which |
| Deploy | Up to your team | Your own server |
| Docs | Up to your team | Blueprints, flows, user manuals |
| Non-technical users | Not the main audience | Describe, approve plans, review results |
| Cost | Subscription plans | Cost logged per task and per project |
When to choose Windsurf / Devin Desktop
- Your developers want AI inside their editor and to stay hands-on.
- You want to hand off tasks to cloud agents and review pull requests.
- Your team already has a working delivery process and wants faster coding inside it.
When to choose Devfab
- You want one process for every project: plan, build, test, deploy, support.
- Non-developers (clients, product owners) need to take part.
- You need test evidence and documentation with each delivery.
- Apps must run on your own servers, with code in your own GitHub.
Where Devfab is weaker: it isn't an editor, so it's not where a developer makes quick hands-on edits. It's newer and in Beta.
FAQ
Is Windsurf still available?
Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026. Existing accounts and plans carried over.
Can developers use Devin Desktop on a Devfab project?
Yes. Devfab keeps the code in your own GitHub repository, so developers can open it in any editor.
Which is better for agencies?
For faster developers, Windsurf / Devin Desktop. For repeatable client delivery with approvals, tests and documentation, Devfab.
Read next
See the whole lifecycle on your repo. Book a Devfab demo.
Sources (checked November 2026): Windsurf is now Devin Desktop; eesel: GitHub Copilot alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windsurf still available?
Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026. Existing accounts and plans carried over.
Can developers use Devin Desktop on a Devfab project?
Yes. Devfab keeps the code in your own GitHub repository, so developers can open it in any editor.
Which is better for agencies?
For faster developers, Windsurf / Devin Desktop. For repeatable client delivery with approvals, tests and documentation, Devfab.
