App Comparison · category peers
Claude Code vs Windsurf
Systematic comparison of Claude Code and Windsurf across deployment, access, interfaces, automation, and sourced product capabilities. Green highlights mark stronger normalized product-surface values; qualitative tradeoffs remain neutral.
Product Surface
Side-by-Side App Facts
| Field | Claude Code | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Anthropic | Windsurf |
| Category | Coding agent | Coding agent |
| Lifecycle | Active | Active |
| Released | Unknown | Unknown |
| Access | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| License | Unknown | Unknown |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Local execution | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud execution | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux, Web | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Interfaces | CLI, IDE extension, Desktop, Web | IDE, CLI |
| Model access | Anthropic Claude models | Windsurf-managed and supported frontier models |
| Automation | Headless runs, SDK workflows, hooks, and subagents | Cascade workflows, rules, memories, and tool calls |
| Multi-agent | Yes | Unknown |
| Persistent memory | Yes | Yes |
| MCP support | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Subscription and API-based access; limits vary | Free and paid individual and team plans |
14 comparable fields · 6 material differences · Editorially curated pair with developer-owned primary sources
Shared Surface
Overlapping Documented Capabilities
Developer Evidence
Sources and Freshness
Questions
Claude Code vs Windsurf FAQs
Is Claude Code or Windsurf better for coding?+
Model Markets does not currently publish a normalized coding-quality benchmark for apps. Claude Code documents 7 capabilities and Windsurf documents 6; compare their shared capabilities, interfaces, execution modes, and model access rather than treating feature count as coding quality.
Can Claude Code or Windsurf run locally?+
Both document support.
Does Claude Code or Windsurf support MCP?+
Both document support.
Which supports multi-agent workflows and persistent memory?+
Multi-agent: Claude Code is the only one currently documented with support. Persistent memory: Both document support.
Is Claude Code or Windsurf open source?+
Claude Code uses a proprietary access model; Windsurf uses a proprietary access model.
Which platforms support Claude Code and Windsurf?+
Claude Code: macOS, Windows, Linux, and Web. Windsurf: macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Can Claude Code and Windsurf run in the cloud?+
Both document cloud execution.
How can I interact with Claude Code and Windsurf?+
Claude Code documents CLI, IDE extension, Desktop, and Web; Windsurf documents IDE and CLI.
Which has more integrations, Claude Code or Windsurf?+
Claude Code has 5 documented integrations; Windsurf has 3. Integration count measures sourced breadth, not depth or reliability.
How does pricing differ between Claude Code and Windsurf?+
Claude Code: Subscription and API-based access; limits vary. Windsurf: Free and paid individual and team plans. These qualitative plan descriptions are not ranked as if they were equivalent prices.