The short answer: Claude Code for Claude users, Droid for model choice
Pick Claude Code if your team is on a Claude plan and works mainly with Anthropic models: it is included from Pro upward and runs in terminal, IDE, desktop and web. Pick Factory Droid if you want to switch between models from several labs or use its Script tool, and test Factory's benchmark claim on your own tasks.
Scope and evidence
Task: choosing a coding agent for multi-file development work. Droid facts come from Factory's pricing page and its October 29, 2026 harness announcement; Claude Code facts from Anthropic's documentation and Claude pricing. Pages read on October 30 and 31, 2026.
The benchmark comparison was run and published by Factory. AppFor.ai did not run either agent for this page.
Compare the same criteria
Each line sets Factory's published facts for Droid against Anthropic's documentation for Claude Code.
- Models. Droid: closed and open-weight models from several labs plus the Factory Router. Claude Code: Anthropic models, with third-party providers supported in the CLI, VS Code and JetBrains. What this means: Droid is built for model choice.
- Surfaces. Droid: desktop app for macOS and Windows, terminal UI, SDK. Claude Code: terminal, VS Code and JetBrains, desktop app, web. What this means: both cover terminal and desktop.
- Price. Droid: Pro $20, Plus $100, Max $200 a month. Claude Code: included in Claude Pro ($20 monthly), Max (from $100), Team and Enterprise, or billed per token via the Console. What this means: entry prices match.
- Terminal-Bench 4 with Opus 5.5, per Factory. Droid: 65.2%. Claude Code: 57.6%. What this means: a vendor-reported 7.6-point lead for Droid.
- Tool calling. Droid: Script tool runs many tool calls in one sandboxed JavaScript request. Claude Code: hooks, skills, subagents and MCP. What this means: different ways to cut round trips.
Which fits your real work?
A team already on Claude Team with Anthropic models. Claude Code fits with no extra subscription.
A team that compares models from several labs on each task. Droid fits.
A developer who wants a terminal agent for a single repository. Either works; run the trial below.
Cost of getting the work done
Both start at $20 a month for individual use. Claude Code on a Claude plan draws from limits shared with chat and Cowork; Droid plans set usage at about 5x and 10x Pro for Plus and Max.
On API billing, token cost depends on the model, so compare runs with the same model before comparing agents.
Try both on the same small task
Suggested check: give both agents the same issue with the same model and compare.
- Tests pass after the change.
- Only relevant files changed.
- Count steps and tokens used.
- Note how often each agent asked for permission.
Decision checklist
Use the lines that match your situation. Details are in our Claude Code and Factory Droid profiles.
- If you are on a Claude plan, start with Claude Code.
- If you switch models often, try Droid.
- If benchmark claims matter, verify Factory's figures on your repository.
- If you need IDE extensions, Claude Code covers VS Code and JetBrains.
- If you want an SDK, both offer one.
Go to the source
Sources & further reading
Based on the official documentation below. Features and access can change; check the provider before making a decision.
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