Cursor vs Claude Code: Which AI Coding Tool Should You Use?

If you've been following the AI coding space, you've probably heard about both Cursor and Claude Code. Both tools promise to make you more productive, but they take fundamentally different approaches to the problem.

I've been using Cursor extensively (as you might know from my previous articles on using Cursor effectively and Cursor Browser), and I recently spent time with Claude Code to see how it compares. Here's my honest take on both.

Before diving into the comparison, let's understand what each tool actually is:

Cursor is a full-fledged IDE built on top of VS Code. It looks and feels like the editor you already know, but with AI capabilities deeply integrated into every aspect of the coding experience.

Claude Code is a terminal-based AI coding assistant from Anthropic. You run it from your command line, and it can read your codebase, make changes, run commands, and interact with your project - all through a conversational interface.

Ease of Use

Cursor: Familiar Territory

If you've used VS Code before, Cursor feels like home. You open it, and everything is where you expect it to be. The file explorer, the terminal, the extensions - it's all there. The AI features are layered on top rather than replacing what you know.

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Download and install
2. Open your project
3. Press Cmd+K to start chatting with the AI

The learning curve is minimal because you're not learning a new tool - you're learning new features in a familiar environment. I was productive within minutes of installing it.

Claude Code: Terminal-First

Claude Code takes a different approach. It lives in your terminal, which means you need to be comfortable with command-line interfaces. You install it via npm or pip, navigate to your project directory, and start a conversation.

cd my-project
claude

For terminal enthusiasts, this feels natural. For developers who live in their IDE, it's a context switch. You're bouncing between your editor and terminal constantly, which can break your flow.

My verdict on ease of use: Cursor wins for most developers because it meets you where you already are. Claude Code requires you to adapt to its workflow rather than adapting to yours.

Where Cursor Shines

1. Integrated Development Experience

The biggest advantage Cursor has is integration. When I'm debugging an issue, I can:

• Select code and ask questions about it
• See AI suggestions inline as I type
• Use the browser tool to test changes immediately
• Run commands and see results without leaving the editor

Everything happens in one window. No context switching. No copy-pasting between tools.

2. Visual Context

Cursor can see your entire project structure, open files, and even your cursor position. When I ask "fix this function," it knows exactly which function I'm looking at. This spatial awareness makes interactions feel natural.

3. Chat + Agent Modes

Cursor gives you flexibility. Need a quick answer? Use Chat mode. Need to make changes across multiple files? Switch to Agent mode. This dual approach lets me pick the right tool for each task.

I covered this in detail in my Cursor effectiveness guide, but the ability to choose how much autonomy to give the AI is genuinely useful.

4. Browser Integration

The Cursor Browser is something Claude Code simply doesn't have. Being able to test changes, debug network calls, and check accessibility without leaving the IDE is a game-changer for frontend work.

Where Claude Code Shines

1. Pure Terminal Workflow

If you're someone who does everything in the terminal - vim user, tmux enthusiast, keyboard-only workflow - Claude Code fits perfectly. There's no GUI overhead. It's fast, lightweight, and stays out of your way.

2. Model Quality

Claude Code uses Anthropic's Claude models directly, and the quality of responses is excellent. Claude tends to be more thoughtful in its explanations and better at understanding nuanced requirements. When I ask complex architectural questions, Claude's responses often feel more considered.

3. No Lock-In to an Editor

Because Claude Code is editor-agnostic, you can use it alongside any setup. Prefer Neovim? Emacs? Sublime? Claude Code doesn't care. It works with your files regardless of how you edit them.

4. Simpler Mental Model

Claude Code is just a conversation. You talk, it responds, it makes changes. There's no need to learn different modes, keyboard shortcuts, or UI elements. The simplicity has its own appeal.

The Honest Trade-offs

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Quick Bug Fix

With Cursor: I highlight the buggy code, press Cmd+K, describe the issue, and see the fix applied inline. Review, accept, done. 30 seconds.

With Claude Code: I describe the file and the issue, Claude reads the file, proposes a fix, I review the diff in the terminal, accept it. Maybe a minute.

Winner: Cursor, for the seamless inline experience.

Scenario 2: Large Refactor Across Multiple Files

With Cursor: Agent mode handles this well. I describe what I want, it plans the changes, makes them across files, and I review each one.

With Claude Code: Similarly capable. Claude reads the relevant files, makes coordinated changes, and shows me what it did.

Winner: Tie. Both handle this reasonably well.

Scenario 3: Understanding Unfamiliar Code

With Cursor: I can ask questions about specific functions, get explanations with code highlighted, and navigate to related files easily.

With Claude Code: I ask questions, Claude reads files and explains. The explanations are often more thorough, but I'm reading text in a terminal rather than seeing highlighted code.

Winner: Depends on preference. Claude's explanations are often better, but Cursor's visual context is more helpful for spatial understanding.

Why I Prefer Cursor

After using both extensively, I keep coming back to Cursor. Here's why:

1. The integrated experience matters more than I expected. I didn't realize how much context switching costs until I stopped doing it. Having everything in one window - code, chat, terminal, browser - genuinely makes me faster.

2. Visual feedback is underrated. Seeing diffs inline, having code highlighted as we discuss it, watching changes appear in real-time - these small things add up to a much smoother experience.

3. The Browser tool is irreplaceable for frontend work. Being able to test, debug network calls, and check accessibility without leaving the IDE has become essential to my workflow.

4. I'm already in VS Code. I know the shortcuts, I have my extensions, my themes are set up. Cursor lets me keep all of that while adding AI capabilities.

That said, I can see why someone would prefer Claude Code. If you're a terminal purist, if you use a non-VS Code editor, or if you want the flexibility to use AI assistance without committing to a specific IDE - Claude Code makes sense.

Who Should Use What?

Choose Cursor if:

• You're already comfortable with VS Code
• You do frontend development and want browser integration
• You prefer visual feedback and inline editing
• You want an all-in-one solution

Choose Claude Code if:

• You live in the terminal
• You use an editor that isn't VS Code
• You want a lightweight, no-frills AI assistant
• You prefer text-based interfaces

Final Thoughts

Both Cursor and Claude Code are excellent tools that genuinely improve productivity. The "best" choice depends entirely on how you work.

For me, Cursor's integrated experience aligns better with my workflow. The ability to code, test, debug, and ship without leaving one application is valuable. But I respect what Claude Code offers - a focused, terminal-native experience that stays out of your way.

The good news? You don't have to choose forever. Try both. See which one clicks with how you work. The AI coding space is evolving rapidly, and both tools will continue to improve.

What matters most is that you're using something to augment your development workflow. Whether that's Cursor, Claude Code, or something else entirely - the developers who learn to work effectively with AI will have a significant advantage.

For more on getting the most out of Cursor, check out my guides on using Cursor effectively and Cursor Browser.