“Should I use Cursor or Claude Code?”
I get asked this a lot. The answer is: both, for different things. But that’s a cop-out, so let me actually break it down.
I’ve used Cursor since v0.2 and Claude Code since it launched. Here’s what 6+ months of daily use taught me.
The TL;DR
| Cursor | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Writing & editing code | Planning, reviewing, generating |
| Interface | VS Code (GUI) | Terminal (CLI) |
| Context | Auto-indexes your project | You provide context manually |
| Speed | Fast inline completions | Slower, deeper responses |
| Price | $20/mo (Pro) | $20/mo (Claude Pro) or API |
| Learning curve | Low (it’s VS Code) | Medium (terminal workflow) |
When Cursor Wins
1. You’re Writing Code Right Now
Cursor’s tab completion is genuinely good. It understands your project structure, your coding patterns, and your intent. When you’re in flow state writing code, switching to a terminal breaks that flow.
2. Inline Edits
Highlight code → Cmd+K → “make this async” → done. This interaction pattern doesn’t exist in Claude Code. It’s the killer feature.
3. You Want Zero Setup
Install Cursor, open your project, start coding. It indexes automatically. No prompt engineering required.
When Claude Code Wins
1. Code Review
git diff main..feature-branch | claude "Review for bugs, security issues, and performance problems"
Claude Code gives structured, thorough reviews. Cursor’s chat can do this too, but the terminal pipe workflow is faster for reviewing diffs.
2. Architecture Decisions
When you need to think through a design problem:
claude "I have a microservice that processes 10K events/sec. Currently using PostgreSQL for state, but hitting lock contention. Options: Redis, DynamoDB, or Cassandra. Analyze tradeoffs for my use case."
Claude Code’s responses are more thorough for complex reasoning. Cursor’s chat tends to be shorter and more action-oriented.
3. Multi-File Generation
claude "Generate a complete CRUD API for a user management service. Include: models, routes, middleware, tests, and Dockerfile."
Claude Code can output entire project structures. Cursor works file-by-file, which is better for editing but worse for generation.
4. Non-Code Tasks
claude "Write a technical RFC for migrating from REST to gRPC. Include: motivation, alternatives considered, migration plan, and risks."
Documentation, planning, analysis — Claude Code handles these naturally. Cursor is optimized for code.
The Hybrid Workflow (What I Actually Do)
My daily workflow uses both:
Morning (Planning & Review)
- Claude Code for reviewing overnight PRs
- Claude Code for sprint planning analysis
- Claude Code for writing docs/RFCs
During the Day (Writing Code)
- Cursor for all active coding
- Cursor inline edits for refactoring
- Cursor chat for quick questions about the current file
End of Day (Wrap Up)
- Claude Code for generating test cases
- Claude Code for commit message generation
- Claude Code for summarizing what changed
Cost Comparison
Option 1: Both tools ($40/mo)
- Cursor Pro: $20/mo
- Claude Pro: $20/mo
- Best for: Power users who code 4+ hours daily
Option 2: Cursor only ($20/mo)
- Use Cursor’s built-in Claude/GPT chat instead of Claude Code
- Best for: Developers who mainly write code (less reviewing/planning)
Option 3: Claude Code only ($20/mo or API)
- Use Claude Code for everything, edit in regular VS Code
- Best for: Senior devs comfortable in the terminal, heavy on review/architecture
My Recommendation
Junior-Mid Developer: Start with Cursor. The GUI and auto-indexing lower the barrier. You’ll be productive in minutes.
Senior Developer / Tech Lead: Use both. The planning + review workflow in Claude Code combined with Cursor for implementation is the most efficient setup I’ve found.
On a Budget: Pick one. Cursor if you write more code than you review. Claude Code if you review more than you write.
What About Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is still good for basic autocomplete, but Cursor’s completions are better (they understand your full project, not just the current file). If you’re choosing between Copilot and Cursor, pick Cursor. If you already have Cursor, you don’t need Copilot.
What About Codex?
OpenAI’s Codex is more of a background agent — it runs tasks asynchronously in a sandbox. It’s a different category entirely. Good for well-defined, isolated tasks. Not a replacement for either Cursor or Claude Code in interactive workflows. I’ll write a separate comparison when it matures.
Last updated: February 2026. These tools evolve fast — I’ll update this when major changes ship.