Claude Code: An Overview
Claude Code, developed by Anthropic, is a standalone tool primarily designed for macOS users. It supports large language models like Claude 4.5 and Claude Sonnet 4.5, providing users with an extensive context window of over 400,000 tokens. This tool is particularly notable for its zero data retention (ZDR) privacy mode, ensuring that no user data is stored. With certifications like SOC2 Type II for enterprise users, Claude Code emphasizes security and privacy. Although it requires setup for migration, it offers a free tier, with pricing plans ranging from $0 to $200 per month, making it accessible for various user needs. Users will appreciate its full terminal access and agentic editing capabilities across multiple files.
Pros
- ✓ Standalone architecture for macOS
- ✓ Supports large context windows
- ✓ Zero Data Retention privacy mode
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certified
Cons
- ✕ Limited to macOS
- ✕ Requires setup for migration
Windsurf (Cascade Agent): A Cloud-Based Solution
Developed by Windsurf, the Cascade Agent is a versatile cloud-based tool compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports multiple language models, including SWE-1.5 and GPT-5, with a custom model option available. With a context window of 200k tokens, it offers predictive edits and full terminal access, facilitating efficient multi-file editing. Like Claude Code, it boasts a zero data retention privacy mode and SOC2 Type II certification. Windsurf’s pricing is user-friendly, with a free tier and additional plans starting at $60 per user per month. The tool requires setup for migration, but its broad OS support and features cater to diverse user needs.
Pros
- ✓ Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux
- ✓ Supports multiple language models
- ✓ Predictive edits available
- ✓ Zero Data Retention privacy mode
Cons
- ✕ Requires setup for migration
- ✕ Context window smaller than Claude Code
Comparison Table
| Feature | Claude Code | Windsurf (Cascade Agent) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | cloud |
| Supported Os | macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Anthropic | Windsurf |
| Supported Llms | Claude 4.5, Claude Sonnet 4.5 | SWE-1.5, SWE-1, GPT-5 |
| Custom Model | – | SWE-1.5 |
| 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) | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | $0 – $200/mo | Free – $60+/user/mo |
| Config File | .clauderc | .windsurfrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both Claude Code and Windsurf’s Cascade Agent offer robust features and security, with each catering to specific user needs. Claude Code is ideal for macOS users needing extensive context windows, while Windsurf provides flexibility across multiple operating systems with predictive editing capabilities. Both tools prioritize privacy with their Zero Data Retention policies.