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Claude Code vs Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents)

Claude Code and Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) are both Code Generation tools in our directory. This side-by-side comparison covers pricing, editorial scores, supported platforms, key features and open-source status so you can decide which one fits your needs.

Side-by-side comparison

AttributeClaude CodeCursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents)
Product statusStatus not recordedStatus not recorded
VendorAnthropicAnysphere
Rating★ 4.7★ 4.6
PricingPaidPaid
PlatformsCLI, IDE, Desktop, WebWeb, IDE
Key featuresProject-file exploration and editing, Commands under configured permissions, CLAUDE.md project instructionsRemote VM environments, Connected source-control branches, Configurable secrets and outbound network
Headquarters——
Launched——
Open sourceNoNo

Key differences

  • Claude Code carries the higher editorial score (4.7★ vs 4.6★).
  • Both Claude Code and Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) use a Paid model.
  • Claude Code runs on CLI, IDE, Desktop, Web; Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) runs on Web, IDE.

Claude Code and Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) at a glance

Claude Code

Anthropic

Anthropic's coding-agent application for terminal, IDE, desktop and web workflows, with project instructions, configurable permissions and separate subscription or usage-billing paths.

Rating
4.7★
Pricing
Paid

Editorial verdict

Consider it for supervised coding tasks with reviewable changes. Check permission mode, authentication and billing before selecting a workflow.

Strengths

  • Terminal, IDE, desktop and web options
  • Project instructions through CLAUDE.md
  • Configurable permissions and MCP tool connections

Key features

  • Project-file exploration and editing
  • Commands under configured permissions
  • CLAUDE.md project instructions
  • MCP tool connections
  • Terminal, IDE, desktop and web surfaces

Best for

  • Investigating a repository before a scoped refactor
  • Preparing code changes with explicit review and validation criteria
  • Connecting approved tools to a coding workflow
Read the full Claude Code review →

Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents)

Anysphere

Cursor's remote coding agents work in configured VM environments and hand changes back through connected source control.

Rating
4.6★
Pricing
Paid

Editorial verdict

Consider it for reviewed remote coding after defining repository access, spend limits and retention requirements.

Strengths

  • Remote execution independent of the local laptop
  • Documented environment and source-control setup
  • Network and secret controls are described

Key features

  • Remote VM environments
  • Connected source-control branches
  • Configurable secrets and outbound network
  • Web, desktop and integration entry points

Best for

  • Preparing a bounded change for later review
  • Running approved tasks in a configured remote environment
Read the full Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) review →

Feature overlap

  • The two tools have no listed features in common — see both feature lists above.
  • Claude Code also lists: Project-file exploration and editing, Commands under configured permissions, CLAUDE.md project instructions, MCP tool connections, Terminal, IDE, desktop and web surfaces
  • Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) also lists: Remote VM environments, Connected source-control branches, Configurable secrets and outbound network, Web, desktop and integration entry points

Frequently asked questions

Is Claude Code or Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) better?

By editorial score, Claude Code scores higher (4.7★ vs 4.6★). Both are capable Code Generation tools, so review the feature comparison for your use case.

Which is cheaper, Claude Code or Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents)?

Both Claude Code and Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) use a Paid pricing model.

Are Claude Code and Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) open source?

No — neither Claude Code nor Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) is open source.

What platforms do Claude Code and Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) support?

Claude Code supports CLI, IDE, Desktop, Web; Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) supports Web, IDE.

What are the main features of Claude Code and Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents)?

Claude Code: Project-file exploration and editing, Commands under configured permissions, CLAUDE.md project instructions, MCP tool connections, Terminal, IDE, desktop and web surfaces. Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents): Remote VM environments, Connected source-control branches, Configurable secrets and outbound network, Web, desktop and integration entry points.

Visit Claude Code →Visit Cursor Cloud Agents (formerly Background Agents) →

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