Cursor Pro Pricing Changes Spark User Backlash and Apology from CEO
Cursor Pro pricing changes have left many developers frustrated, as unexpected charges surfaced after a recent update to the plan. The company behind Cursor, Anysphere, admitted to poor communication regarding its new pay-as-you-go model for Pro users. Previously offering a mix of fast and unlimited slower responses for $20/month, the new structure now provides $20 worth of usage based on API rates—surprising many with unexpected overage fees. This change prompted a wave of backlash, prompting CEO Michael Truell to publicly apologize for the confusion.
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Why Cursor Pro pricing changes upset users
Under the updated Pro plan rolled out on June 16, users no longer receive 500 fast responses followed by unlimited slower ones. Instead, they get $20 of credits to spend on AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google. Once that amount is used up—sometimes after just a few prompts, especially with advanced models like Claude—users must pay extra or set spend limits to avoid surprise fees. Many found this system unclear, with several reporting they ran out of responses quickly or got charged unknowingly, particularly when testing complex coding tasks.
CEO responds and promises refunds for Cursor Pro pricing issues
In a blog post, Cursor CEO Michael Truell took responsibility for the rollout’s shortcomings, stating: “We recognize that we didn’t handle this pricing rollout well and we’re sorry.” Anysphere is now offering refunds to affected users and pledges more transparency moving forward. While Cursor’s "auto mode" still provides unlimited access under the Pro plan, the manual model selection—especially with high-demand AI models—now carries stricter usage limits tied to real-time API costs.
What Cursor’s pricing update means for AI coding users
Anysphere justifies the pricing shift by pointing out that newer AI models consume more tokens for complex, longer-horizon coding tasks. These models, while powerful, are costly to run. By changing how Pro users are billed, Anysphere aims to balance user demand with sustainability. While the shift might be necessary for the platform’s long-term health, it also highlights the growing pains of scaling AI tools and the importance of clear, proactive communication when altering subscription models.
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