What each product actually is
Antigravity is Google’s agent-first platform: desktop/IDE plus agy CLI, oriented around agents that plan and implement feature work with Gemini-centered and multi-model options. Catalog places it in AI-native IDEs as well as code editors, with a recommended listing and freemium access that can escalate into Google AI Pro/Ultra or Google Cloud org paths.
Zed is an open-source Rust GPU editor from Zed Industries. It prioritizes native performance and real-time multiplayer, then layers AI — Agent Panel, Edit Prediction, Inline Assistant, Git commit generation, Zed Agent vs ACP external agents, hosted models or BYOK. Catalog keeps it in traditional editors as well as code editors; OSS-first with optional Pro/Business AI seats. Not a like-for-like fork bake-off.
Current surfaces (vendor-documented)
Google Antigravity: Desktop/IDE plus CLI (agy). Vendor docs cover slash commands (/goal, /grill-me, /schedule, /browser), subagents, and free individual weekly rate limits alongside Google AI Pro/Ultra and Google Cloud org access. Soft pricing: catalog often shows Pro ~$19 / Ultra ~$99.99; vendor plan language points at Google AI Pro / Ultra around $20 / $100 — confirm https://antigravity.google/pricing. Sources: https://antigravity.google/ · https://antigravity.google/pricing · https://www.antigravity.google/product/antigravity-cli
Zed: Agent Panel (read/search/edit/run with profiles, permissions, MCP), Zed Agent vs External Agents via ACP, Inline Assistant, Edit Prediction, Git commit generation. Pricing: Personal $0 (BYOK / external agents), Pro $10/mo (+ $5 hosted tokens), Business $30/seat/mo. Sources: https://zed.dev · https://zed.dev/pricing · https://zed.dev/docs/ai/agent-panel · https://github.com/zed-industries/zed
Scoreboard (from existing reviews)
Google Antigravity (Score tested 2026-09-05): overall 88, speed 91, privacy 71, developer experience 89.
Zed (Score tested 2026-03-27): overall 85, speed 99, privacy 90, developer experience 84.
Scores come from existing aicoolies reviews, not a paired session. Overall is close (88 vs 85). Antigravity leads overall and DX with the fresher Score date; Zed leads speed (99) and privacy (90). Prefer fit and current surfaces first; the table is secondary evidence.
Workflow, licensing, and privacy
Choose Antigravity for Google’s agent-first IDE/CLI desk: multi-agent planning, Gemini-centered options, Google AI Pro/Ultra or Cloud org billing. Privacy Score 71 is the softer axis on the Antigravity review.
Choose Zed for a native Rust editor that stays fast under multiplayer load, with hosted Pro tokens, BYOK, or ACP external agents. Software is open source (Personal $0); paid seats buy hosted AI and org controls. Privacy Score 90 and speed Score 99 are Zed’s clearest niches on the existing review. Licensing: Antigravity is Google commercial; Zed is OSS with optional AI seats.
Who should pick which
Pick Google Antigravity for Google’s agent-first platform (desktop/IDE + agy), multi-agent orchestration, recommended Google-path listing, and the slight overall/DX edge (88 / 89, tested 2026-09-05). Pick Zed for an open Rust editor that leads on speed and privacy (99 / 90, tested 2026-03-27), with Agent Panel, Edit Prediction, and BYOK or ACP agents in a fast native shell. Overall gap is close (88 vs 85); product shape decides.