Claude Code vs Devin Desktop (Windsurf)
Prices checked on official pricing pages Oct 13, 2026; Devin Desktop rechecked Oct 19, 2026.
| Claude Code | Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Included in Claude Pro $20/mo ($17/mo yearly); Max from $100/mo | Free; Pro $20, Max $200/mo; Teams $80/mo + $40 per full seat (free SWE-2 promo was scheduled to end mid-October 2026; check site) |
| Free option | Gemini CLI / Aider (open source) | Devin Desktop Free (light agent quota) |
| Type | Terminal coding agent | Agentic IDE (formerly Windsurf) |
| Free plan | No (needs Claude Pro $20/mo or higher) | Yes (light agent quota) |
| Best for | Experienced devs doing big multi-file changes | Both: beginners who want an IDE, experienced devs who want cloud agents |
| Try Claude Code | Try Devin Desktop |
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Verdict
Pick Claude Code if you live in a terminal and your changes touch half the repo. Pick Devin Desktop if you want an IDE with a free tier and agents you can watch on a Kanban board. Catch: Free SWE-2 was set to end mid-October 2026; check the site for current terms.
Best for: Claude Code: experienced devs comfortable in a terminal. Devin Desktop: both, since the IDE and free tier are easier for beginners.
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