Comparing Windsurf and Claude Code: My Experience with Both AI Coding Assistants

Over the past few weeks, I've been using both Windsurf and Claude Code extensively for various development tasks. While I've been using Windsurf longer, I've quickly ramped up with Claude Code and have formed some opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of each. Both are remarkable tools that have transformed my development workflow, but they excel in different areas. Here's what I've found:

Claude Code Strengths

Multi-tasking: Claude Code excels at handling multiple tasks simultaneously. Its batch processing capabilities allow me to run several operations in parallel, significantly reducing wait times.
Speed and Efficiency: When it comes to getting things done quickly, Claude Code is impressively fast. The focused CLI interface and parallel tool execution make rapid development possible.
Error Correction: Claude Code seems particularly adept at fixing its own errors, especially with TypeScript and syntax issues. When it makes a mistake, it can usually self-correct with minimal guidance.
Context Window Transparency: Claude provides clear information about your context window usage, which helps manage complex projects without hitting limits unexpectedly.
Cost Visibility: I appreciate how Claude Code shows session costs, making it easier to track and manage usage.

Windsurf Strengths

Process Transparency: Windsurf does a better job of explaining what it's doing at each step, which builds confidence in its approach and helps me learn.
Multimedia Support: The ability to upload images and screenshots in Windsurf is invaluable for UI work and visual debugging.
Search Breadth: While both tools offer internet search capabilities, Windsurf seems to search more broadly across different sources.
Model Flexibility: Windsurf allows you to switch between different models, while Claude Code is limited to Claude models.
Project Rules: Windsurf's support for project and global rules offers customization options that I haven't found in Claude Code yet.

User Interface Differences

The user interfaces of these tools reflect different philosophies and cater to different user preferences:

Windsurf's Integrated Experience: Windsurf excels at providing an all-in-one interface where your terminal, file system, and chat coexist. This integrated approach makes it easy to see everything that's happening at once and is particularly beneficial for learning. The transparency of seeing all operations in one place helps build understanding of what the AI is doing.
Claude Code's Streamlined Approach: Claude Code offers a more familiar terminal-like interface with less immediately available information. This cleaner, more focused approach appeals to experienced developers who already know their way around their systems and prefer a streamlined experience.

Common Challenges

Windsurf sometimes gets ahead of itself, attempting to solve problems before fully understanding them. By contrast, Claude Code seems more measured, letting me control the pace of each session.

Both tools are impressive, but Windsurf (like Cursor) occasionally stops responding after many API calls, whereas Claude Code seems more stable during extended sessions.

Finding Balance

I've found myself using both tools complementarily. For quick, focused coding tasks where I need parallel execution and fast results, Claude Code has become my go-to. For more exploratory work, especially involving visual elements or when I want detailed explanations, Windsurf remains invaluable.

The combination of both tools gives me flexibility across different types of development work. Rather than seeing them as competitors, I view them as complementary tools that together provide a more complete AI-assisted development experience.

As these tools continue to evolve, I'm excited to see how they'll further transform development workflows. For now, I'm grateful to have both in my toolkit, each serving different aspects of my development needs.