Anysphere has unveiled a new $200-per-month subscription tier for its AI-powered coding assistant, Cursor, aimed at meeting the demands of high-usage developers and enterprise teams. The new “Ultra” plan, announced Monday, significantly expands usage limits and gives subscribers priority access to advanced features and upcoming capabilities.
Unlike the existing $20/month Pro plan, Cursor Ultra offers 20 times more usage across top-tier AI models, including those from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and xAI. CEO Michael Truell stated in the blog announcement that these expanded resources were made possible through long-term, multi-year partnerships with those model providers.
The pricing and structure of Cursor Ultra reflect a broader shift in the AI industry. Other AI leaders like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have also launched premium-tier plans in recent months, ranging from $100 to $250 per month, aiming to monetize power users with heavier needs and larger-scale applications.
Cursor’s new subscription model arrives at a time of explosive growth for Anysphere. The company recently reported hitting $500 million in annualized recurring revenue (ARR), up from $300 million in April, with major clients such as Nvidia, Uber, and Adobe using the tool. Anysphere is among the fastest startups to cross the $100 million ARR mark and appears to be accelerating rather than slowing down.
However, this growth trajectory is unfolding in a rapidly intensifying competitive environment. Cursor is built on top of AI models developed by OpenAI and Anthropic, both of which are now developing or acquiring their AI-powered coding assistants. OpenAI recently purchased Windsurf, a direct competitor to Cursor, while Anthropic is investing in its in-house platform, Claude Code.
These strategic moves raise questions about the long-term viability of third-party tools like Cursor that depend on partnerships with companies pursuing their coding solutions. In one notable case, Anthropic reportedly restricted Windsurf’s access to its Claude models in a move seen as protective of its product line.
To maintain its competitive edge, Anysphere has been investing in its own AI technologies. In May, the company released Tab, a proprietary model designed to help users suggest and implement changes across multiple files—a sign that Anysphere is working to reduce dependence on external models while broadening Cursor’s capabilities.
Despite rising tensions and shifting alliances in the AI space, Anysphere’s leadership remains optimistic. Anthropic co-founder Jared Kaplan recently indicated in an interview that he expects the partnership with Cursor to continue long term. Still, with AI coding tools now central to both software development workflows and strategic business models, the landscape is shifting quickly.
Cursor Ultra positions Anysphere to deepen engagement with enterprise users and capitalize on high-volume needs. For developers, the offering means access to some of the most powerful AI models available with fewer constraints and faster updates. For Anysphere, it’s a high-stakes play in an ecosystem where the lines between partner and competitor are becoming increasingly blurred.
With massive user adoption, evolving proprietary tools, and escalating platform rivalries, Cursor’s new Ultra plan signals that AI-assisted development is no longer a niche offering—it’s a high-value battleground.