Cursor vs Claude Code vs Windsurf vs Devin (2026)
Head-to-head comparison of four popular AI coding tools: pricing, free tiers and scores side by side.
Editorial picks for this use case. See each tool page for its score breakdown.
#1 #2 #3 #4
C
Cursor
AI code editor
81
/ 100
C
Claude Code
Anthropic's agentic coding tool for the terminal
79
/ 100
D
Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)
AI IDE with an agent command center (formerly Windsurf)
75
/ 100
D
Devin
Autonomous AI software engineer
72
/ 100
Side-by-side comparison
| Tool | Score | Free tier | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cursor | 81 | Yes: limited agent and chat requests | Sold via The X Subscription (SpaceX/xAI): Plus $8/mo (Grok models only), Premium $30/mo, Super $100, Ultra $200; Teams $30+/user. Third-party models billed at API list price. | Developers who want an agentic IDE for day-to-day coding |
| Claude Code | 79 | No: the Free Claude plan does not include Claude Code | Included with Claude Pro ($20/mo, $17/mo annual) and Max (from $100/mo); or pay-as-you-go via API | Multi-file refactors and long agentic coding sessions from the terminal |
| Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) | 75 | Yes: light agent quota, limited models, unlimited Tab and inline edits | Pro $20/mo, Max $200/mo, Teams $80/mo minimum ($40 per full seat) | Developers who want an IDE plus a manager for local and cloud agents |
| Devin | 72 | Yes: light quota with limited models | Pro $20/mo, Max $200/mo, Teams $80/mo minimum; Enterprise custom | Delegating well-scoped tickets to an autonomous cloud agent |
FAQ
- Which is better: Cursor or Claude Code or Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) or Devin?
- By our score, Cursor (81), Claude Code (79), Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) (75), Devin (72). The right choice depends on your workflow; see the comparison table.
- What is the Cursor vs Claude Code vs Windsurf vs Devin in 2026?
- Our top pick is Cursor (score 81/100): AI code editor. Runners-up: Claude Code, Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf), Devin.
- Is Cursor free?
- Check Cursor's pricing page for current plans. Pricing: Sold via The X Subscription (SpaceX/xAI): Plus $8/mo (Grok models only), Premium $30/mo, Super $100, Ultra $200; Teams $30+/user. Third-party models billed at API list price..
- Is Claude Code free?
- Check Claude Code's pricing page for current plans. Pricing: Included with Claude Pro ($20/mo, $17/mo annual) and Max (from $100/mo); or pay-as-you-go via API.
- Is Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) free?
- Check Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)'s pricing page for current plans. Pricing: Pro $20/mo, Max $200/mo, Teams $80/mo minimum ($40 per full seat).
- How are these tools ranked?
- Each tool is scored out of 100 on fit, vibe-coder friendliness, output quality, pricing, ecosystem, momentum and code ownership, using desk research of official docs and pricing pages. Affiliate status never affects scores.
Sources
- Cursor official site & pricing (verified 2026-10-15)
- Claude Code official site & pricing (verified 2026-10-15)
- Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) official site & pricing (verified 2026-10-15)
- Devin official site & pricing (verified 2026-10-15)