DOAClaude Code vs Cursor: which one to choose?
We compare Claude Code and Cursor on price, devices, difficulty and who each one suits, using the data on their DOA pages.
Claude Code
Anthropic agent that reads the repo, edits files and can open a PR. Works in the terminal, the IDE and the web. Not just autocomplete.
Cursor
VS Code-based editor built for agentic coding: chat with the whole repo as context, autocomplete and a choice of models. Owned by SpaceX since August 2026.
DOA verdict for coding
Cursor wins
81.8 Cursor · 73.5 Claude Code / 100
Developers who live in the editor. The best agent-plus-editor flow right now.
Why
- DOA score in coding · Cursor: 98/100 vs 93/100
- Free version · Cursor: 55/100 vs 20/100
- Ease of use: tie
- Devices · Claude Code: 4 vs 3
Pick Claude Code if…
Teams already on Claude. Strong on whole repos.
How we decide: this verdict uses a formula of its own for comparisons, different from the DOA score: DOA score in coding (60%), free version (20%), ease of use (10%) and devices (10%). Data from each tool page, reviewed on 9 October 2026. How we calculate the DOA score and the verdict
| Claude Code | Cursor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Paid Included with Claude Pro, Max and team plans. Not on free chat. | Freemium Limited free Hobby. Pro $20, Pro+ $60 and Ultra $200 a month. Teams $40 per user. |
| Devices | Windows · Mac · Linux · Browser | Windows · Mac · Linux |
| Level | Some practice needed | Some practice needed |
| What it is for | Coding | Coding |
| DOA score | 81/100 | 83/100 |
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On the overall DOA score, Claude Code gets 81/100 and Cursor 83/100. It is an indicative rating: try both on a real task before you pay.
Claude Code is a better fit for
- Teams already on Claude
Cursor is a better fit for
- Developers who live in the editor
- Startups that want to move tickets faster