| Cursor | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Anysphere | Anthropic |
| Primary surface | AI code editor (VS Code-based) plus an Agents Window (Cursor 3, April 2026) | Terminal-first agent, also available in IDEs and a desktop app |
| Models | Multiple providers (Cursor's own Composer models plus Claude, GPT, Gemini and others) | Anthropic's Claude models |
| Style | You edit alongside AI, or dispatch background agents | Describe a task; the agent plans, edits and runs commands, asking for permission by default |
| Pricing model | Free tier plus paid plans with included usage; third-party models are billed at API rates past the included usage | Included in paid Claude plans (Pro/Max/Team) or pay-per-token via API |
| Best for | Hands-on editing, model flexibility, visual/front-end work | Large refactors, long multi-step tasks, terminal workflows |
Which should you pick?
Choose Cursor if you want one editor where you stay hands-on and can switch between models from several labs. Choose Claude Code if you want to hand off whole tasks and you already use Claude heavily, since a flat Claude plan can be more predictable than metered usage.
You don't have to choose: Claude Code runs inside Cursor's terminal, and plenty of developers use both. Both have entry paid plans around $20/month at the time of writing. Check Cursor pricing and Claude pricing for current tiers.
FAQ
Is Claude Code better than Cursor?
Neither is better for everyone. Claude Code tends to suit autonomous, terminal-based work. Cursor suits interactive editing and multi-model use.
Can I use Claude in Cursor?
Yes. Cursor supports Claude models, and you can also run Claude Code in Cursor's terminal.