Claude Code Overview
Claude Code is a standalone software developed by Anthropic, designed to operate on macOS. It supports advanced language models like Claude 4.5 and Claude Sonnet 4.5, offering a vast context window of over 400,000 tokens. Its capabilities include full terminal access and multi-file agentic editing, which enhances its utility for complex coding tasks. The privacy aspect is robust, boasting a Zero Data Retention (ZDR) policy. Furthermore, it is certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise-level security. Users can begin using Claude Code for free, with pricing extending up to $200 per month depending on usage. Setup is required for migration, and configuration is handled via a .clauderc file.
Pros
- ✓ Supports Claude 4.5 and Claude Sonnet 4.5
- ✓ Zero Data Retention privacy mode
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certified
- ✓ Free tier available
Cons
- ✕ Requires setup for migration
- ✕ Limited to macOS
- ✕ No predictive edits
SWE-agent Overview
SWE-agent, developed by SWE, is a cloud-based tool optimized for Ubuntu 24.04 and 24.10. It supports a diverse range of language models, including Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 4, GPT-4o, GPT-5, and Gemini 1.0, with a context window of 200k tokens. The software offers full terminal access and multi-file agentic editing capabilities. Privacy and security are ensured through a Standard Privacy Policy and SOC2 Type II certification. Unlike Claude Code, SWE-agent does not offer a free tier, and pricing details are available upon request from sales. Migration requires setup, with configuration handled through a .sweagentrc file.
Pros
- ✓ Supports multiple advanced models, including GPT-5 and Gemini 1.0
- ✓ Cloud-based for flexibility
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certified
Cons
- ✕ No free tier available
- ✕ Requires setup for migration
- ✕ Standard Privacy Policy
Comparison Table
| Feature | Claude Code | SWE-agent |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | cloud |
| Supported Os | macOS | Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 24.10 |
| Developer | Anthropic | SWE |
| Supported Llms | Claude 4.5, Claude Sonnet 4.5 | Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 4, GPT-4o, GPT-5, Gemini 1.0 |
| Context Window | 400,000+ tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | $0 – $200/mo | Contact Sales |
| Config File | .clauderc | .sweagentrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both Claude Code and SWE-agent offer robust features for users seeking advanced language model support. Claude Code is ideal for macOS users who prioritize data privacy, while SWE-agent offers a broader range of model support with cloud-based flexibility. The choice between them will largely depend on the user’s operating system preference and privacy needs.