The landscape of AI coding tools is shifting fast—especially with Cursor rolling out a major change to its Pro plan. Developers are buzzing about the new "unlimited-with-rate-limits" model: Does it truly offer freedom, or just a new way to cap usage? In this guide, we’ll break down what’s changed, how the new plan compares to the old, and how teams can unlock more value by connecting Apidog—the versatile API development platform with a free MCP Server designed to streamline and optimize your workflow.
Cursor Pro Plan: Old Model vs. New Unlimited Rate Limits
How the Old Cursor Pro Plan Worked
Cursor’s previous Pro plan was simple but came with hard boundaries:
- $20/month for up to 500 "fast" requests monthly
- Unlimited completions (limited by certain tool call quotas)
- After 500 fast requests, users shifted to slow (lower-priority) requests
- Max Mode and premium models consumed your quota more quickly
- Extra requests required usage-based add-ons
Cursor Old Pro Plan—Quick Reference
| Plan | Price | Fast Requests | Slow Requests | Max Mode | Tool Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | $20/mo | 500/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Limited |
This quota-based approach meant developers often worried about running out of fast requests, hitting unpredictable costs, or juggling quotas—especially with advanced tasks.
What’s Changed: The "Unlimited-with-Rate-Limits" Model
Cursor’s new Pro plan eliminates the monthly hard cap. Instead, you get:
- Unlimited requests—but subject to rate limits that control how many you can send in a given period
- No more tool call limits—use as many as you need, within the set rate
- Choice for existing users—stick with the old 500-request system via Dashboard > Settings > Advanced
Cursor Pro Plan Comparison Table
| Feature | Old Pro Plan | New Pro Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Requests | 500/mo | Unlimited (rate-limited) |
| Tool Calls | Limited | Unlimited (rate-limited) |
| Max Mode | Yes (quota-based) | Yes (rate-limited) |
| Price | $20/mo | $20/mo |
💡 Want to avoid confusing rate limits and boost productivity? Apidog integrates directly with Cursor—helping you design, test, and document APIs, while the free MCP Server reduces token usage and simplifies your workflow.
What Does "Unlimited-with-Rate-Limits" Really Mean?
The new system lets you send as many requests as you want, but you’ll be paused if you exceed the rate limit. However, the specifics of these limits aren’t always transparent, which raises several questions:
- Is this truly unlimited, or just a new way to throttle?
- How do rate limits compare to the old monthly cap?
- Does Max Mode or use of premium models trigger stricter limits?
Many developers appreciate the flexibility, but power users worry about hidden ceilings—especially with the introduction of a new Ultra plan at $200/month.
Key Developer Concerns
- Clarity: The "unlimited" branding is appealing, but unclear rate limits leave some unsure about the real boundaries.
- Performance: Heavy users may still hit walls, especially during intensive work sessions.
- Workflow Disruptions: Developers want to avoid interruptions, whether from quotas or new rate caps.
For most API and backend engineers, the new plan means fewer hard stops. But if you want to maximize throughput and maintain predictable workflows, integrating Apidog’s free MCP Server can make a difference.
How Apidog MCP Server Enhances Your Cursor Workflow
Apidog’s MCP Server is a free tool that connects your API specifications directly to Cursor. This enables:
- Smarter code and test generation tailored to your actual API
- Instant access to API documentation inside your IDE
- Reduced token consumption and improved automation—all at no extra cost
Here’s how to get started:
Step-by-Step: Using Apidog MCP Server with Cursor
1. Prepare Your OpenAPI File
- Obtain your API definition as a URL (e.g.,
https://petstore.swagger.io/v2/swagger.json) or a local path (e.g.,~/projects/api-docs/openapi.yaml). - Use
.jsonor.yamlformat (OpenAPI 3.x is recommended).
2. Add MCP Configuration to Cursor
-
Open Cursor’s
mcp.jsonconfiguration file. -
Add the following config (replace
<oas-url-or-path>with your actual file or URL):
For MacOS/Linux:
{
"mcpServers": {
"API specification": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"apidog-mcp-server@latest",
"--oas=https://petstore.swagger.io/v2/swagger.json"
]
}
}
}
For Windows:
{
"mcpServers": {
"API specification": {
"command": "cmd",
"args": [
"/c",
"npx",
"-y",
"apidog-mcp-server@latest",
"--oas=https://petstore.swagger.io/v2/swagger.json"
]
}
}
}
3. Verify the Connection
-
In Cursor, switch to Agent mode and enter:
Please fetch API documentation via MCP and tell me how many endpoints exist in the project. -
If the setup is successful, Cursor will list your endpoints and confirm the connection.
Tip: With Apidog MCP Server, you can generate code, search your API docs, and automate tasks—without worrying about rate limits or surprise costs.
Why Consider Apidog with Cursor’s New Plan?
The shift to "unlimited-with-rate-limits" gives most developers more flexibility, but the lack of transparency can still disrupt high-volume workflows. Apidog offers a practical way to:
- Eliminate quota anxiety—MCP Server is free and connects directly to your API specs
- Automate development—code generation, testing, and documentation happen inside your IDE
- Maintain control—as your projects and teams scale, Apidog helps you make the most of Cursor’s evolving plans
Stay focused on building, not managing quotas. Try Apidog’s free MCP Server and streamline your API development pipeline.
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