Cursor vs Claude Code: AI IDE vs Terminal Agent (2026)
A practical comparison of Cursor and Claude Code: AI-native IDE with Composer and Agent versus terminal-first Claude coding. Pricing, workflows, and when to pick each.
Editorial Team
The AI Coding Tools Directory editorial team researches and reviews AI-powered development tools to help developers find the best solutions for their workflows.
Cursor and Claude Code both offer AI-assisted coding—but Cursor is IDE-first, Claude Code is terminal-first. Different anchors, different workflows.
Quick Answer
Cursor for IDE-centric work: Composer, Agent mode, 25+ models (including Claude). Claude Code for terminal-first workflows, Claude-only models, and Chrome/browser control from Claude.ai. Prefer one editor and model choice? Cursor. Prefer terminal and Claude? Claude Code.
Feature Comparison Table
Form factor, models, and workflow differences:
| Feature | Cursor | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Standalone IDE (VS Code fork) | Terminal CLI + VS Code/JetBrains extensions |
| Models | 25+ (GPT, Claude, Gemini) | Claude Sonnet 4.6, Opus 4.6 only |
| Context | Varies by model; up to 1M with Claude 4.6 | Up to 1M tokens (Sonnet/Opus 4.6) |
| Pricing | Hobby free; Pro $20/month | Included with Claude Pro ($20/month) |
| Multi-file editing | Composer with diff review | Permissioned edits, previews |
| Agent/autonomous | Agent mode (IDE-based) | Terminal commands with approval |
| Chrome/browser | No | Yes (browser control, web automation) |
| Git workflow | Manual or Agent-assisted | Stages diffs, previews, permissioned commits |
Pricing and Value
Cursor
| Plan | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $0 | 2-week Pro trial, then limited usage |
| Pro | $20/month | Unlimited completions, 500 premium requests, all models |
| Pro+ | $60/month | Higher limits, background agents |
Claude Code
- Included with Claude Pro ($20/month), Max, Team, Enterprise
- No separate SKU; usage metered under Anthropic's pricing
- Requires Claude subscription—no standalone free tier for Claude Code
Best For
| If you... | Choose... |
|---|---|
| Want model choice (GPT, Claude, Gemini) | Cursor |
| Prefer terminal-first with Claude only | Claude Code |
| Need Composer-style multi-file diff review | Cursor |
| Want Chrome/browser automation | Claude Code |
| Already pay for Claude and want integrated coding | Claude Code |
| Want a free tier to try | Cursor (Hobby) |
| Need agent workflows inside an IDE | Cursor (Agent mode) |
Final Verdict
Cursor is the better fit for IDE-centric developers who want model flexibility and structured multi-file workflows. Claude Code is the better fit for terminal-first developers who are committed to Claude and want browser automation and Claude.ai integration.
For a broader view: choosing an AI IDE (Cursor, Copilot, Claude Code), compare tools.
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Tools Mentioned in This Article
Workflow Resources
Cookbook
AI-Powered Code Review & Quality
Automate code review and enforce quality standards using AI-powered tools and agentic workflows.
Cookbook
Building AI-Powered Applications
Build applications powered by LLMs, RAG, and AI agents using Claude Code, Cursor, and modern AI frameworks.
Cookbook
Building APIs & Backends with AI Agents
Design and build robust APIs and backend services with AI coding agents, from REST to GraphQL.
Cookbook
Debugging with AI Agents
Systematically debug complex issues using AI coding agents with structured workflows and MCP integrations.
Skill
Change risk triage
A systematic method for categorizing AI-generated code changes by blast radius and required verification depth, preventing high-risk changes from shipping without adequate review.
Skill
Configuring MCP servers
A cross-tool guide to setting up Model Context Protocol servers in Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, and VS Code, including server types, authentication, and common patterns.
Skill
Local model quality loop
Improve code output quality when using local AI models by combining rules files, iterative retries with error feedback, and test-backed validation gates.
Skill
Plan-implement-verify loop
A structured execution pattern for safe AI-assisted coding changes that prevents scope creep and ensures every edit is backed by test evidence.
MCP Server
AWS MCP Server
Open source MCP servers from AWS Labs that give AI coding agents access to AWS documentation, best practices, and contextual guidance for building on AWS.
MCP Server
Docker MCP Server
Docker MCP Gateway orchestrates MCP servers in isolated containers, providing secure discovery and execution of Model Context Protocol servers across AI coding tools.
MCP Server
Figma MCP Server
Official Figma MCP server that brings design context, variables, components, and Code Connect data into AI coding sessions for design-to-code workflows.
MCP Server
Firebase MCP Server
Experimental Firebase MCP server that gives AI coding agents access to Firestore, Auth, security rules, Cloud Messaging, and project management through the Firebase CLI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Cursor and Claude Code?
Which costs more?
Can I use Claude in Cursor?
Which is better for terminal workflows?
Which has a larger context window?
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