Claude Code wins on our tests — it scores 9.7 against Cursor's 9.2. That said, Cursor has a genuine free version while Claude Code is paid — if budget decides, start with Cursor.
Head to head Code & Dev
Claude Code vs Cursor
Two code & dev tools, one honest verdict — scores, pricing and free tiers compared side by side.
 Claude Code |  Cursor | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| Pricing | Paid | Free plan |
| Free version | No | ✓ Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| GitHub stars | — | — |
| Partner deal | — | — |
Claude Code in short
An agent that ships whole features from your terminal. It is a paid tool.
Cursor in short
The AI-first code editor — tab, tab, tab, shipped. It is free to start, with paid upgrades.
FAQ
Which is better, Claude Code or Cursor?
Claude Code scores 9.7/10 and Cursor scores 9.2/10 in our hands-on tests. Claude Code comes out ahead overall.
Is Claude Code free?
Claude Code is a paid tool; check current trials.
Is Cursor free?
Yes, Cursor has a real free version.
Can I try both for free?
Partially: Cursor has a free version. Trials may cover the rest.
Claude Code review → Cursor review → All Code & Dev tools → Build your own comparison →