Windsurf vs Google Antigravity vs Claude Code: The Ultimate AI IDE Comparison for 2025
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Nick
December 27, 2025
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Windsurf vs Google Antigravity vs Claude Code: The Ultimate AI IDE Comparison for 2025
The AI IDE Battle Has Three Frontrunners
The AI coding landscape has evolved dramatically. In 2024, the question was simple: Copilot or nothing? In 2025, developers face a more nuanced decision between three fundamentally different approaches to AI-assisted development.
Windsurf (from Codeium) takes the "AI-first IDE" approach—a completely new editor built around AI from day one. Google Antigravity brings Google's AI muscle to your existing workflow with powerful context understanding. Claude Code represents Anthropic's terminal-first philosophy, turning the command line into an AI development environment.
This isn't about which tool is "best." It's about which tool matches your workflow, project needs, and coding philosophy.
Quick Comparison Overview
Feature
Windsurf
Google Antigravity
Claude Code
Interface
Standalone IDE
VS Code Extension
Terminal CLI
AI Model
Codeium proprietary
Gemini-based
Claude 3.5/4
Pricing
Free tier + Pro $10/mo
Free with limits
API-based pricing
Best For
Full AI immersion
Google ecosystem users
Terminal lovers, automation
Learning Curve
Medium (new IDE)
Low (familiar IDE)
Higher (CLI-first)
Agent Mode
Yes (Cascade)
Yes (Agent Mode)
Yes (built-in)
Custom Rules
Limited
Yes (.antigravity)
Yes (CLAUDE.md)
Windsurf: The AI-Native IDE
What Sets Windsurf Apart
Windsurf isn't just an IDE with AI bolted on—it's an IDE designed from the ground up for AI-first development. Built by Codeium, Windsurf introduces "Flows"—a paradigm where AI and human work together in continuous collaboration.
The key innovation is Cascade, Windsurf's agentic AI that can:
Read and understand your entire codebase
Execute terminal commands
Create, modify, and delete files
Run tests and interpret results
Debug issues autonomously
Windsurf Strengths
1. Unified Experience
Everything is integrated. There's no context switching between your editor, AI chat, terminal, and file explorer.
2. Deep Code Understanding
Windsurf indexes your entire codebase and maintains context across sessions.
3. Competitive Free Tier
The free tier is generous—more completions than most competitors.
4. VS Code Compatibility
Windsurf is based on VS Code, so most extensions work.
Windsurf Weaknesses
New IDE friction
Limited customization compared to rules files
Proprietary model (can't switch to Claude or GPT)
Resource heavy
Windsurf Best Use Cases
Greenfield projects
Solo developers
Rapid prototyping
Learning new frameworks
Google Antigravity: Enterprise Power Meets Familiar Tools
What Sets Antigravity Apart
Google Antigravity brings Gemini's massive context window and Google's infrastructure to your existing VS Code setup. Key differentiators:
2M+ token context window: Understand entire large codebases at once
Google ecosystem integration: Firebase, Cloud, BigQuery, Vertex AI
Rules file customization: Deep control over AI behavior
Enterprise security: SOC 2, GDPR, data residency options
Antigravity Strengths
1. Massive Context Window
This is Antigravity's killer feature. While others struggle with files over 100K tokens, Antigravity can hold your entire monorepo in context.
2. Rules File Power
The .antigravity file lets you program AI behavior with project-specific rules, code standards, and constraints.
3. Google Ecosystem
If you're in the Google cloud, Antigravity understands Firebase rules, Cloud Functions, BigQuery schemas natively.
4. Stay in VS Code
Your keybindings, extensions, and settings all work. The AI is additive, not disruptive.
Antigravity Weaknesses
Google Account required
Internet dependent (no offline mode)
Some features require Google Workspace or Cloud subscriptions
Antigravity Best Use Cases
Large codebases and monorepos
Google Cloud projects
Team standardization with shared rules
Existing VS Code users
Claude Code: Terminal-First AI Development
What Sets Claude Code Apart
Claude Code takes a radically different approach: the terminal is the interface. No GUI chrome, no sidebar panels—just you, your terminal, and Claude.
Claude Code can:
Navigate your entire filesystem
Read, write, and modify files
Execute shell commands
Search with grep/ripgrep
Manage git operations
Run and debug programs
Create complete applications
Claude Code Strengths
1. Claude's Reasoning
Claude (especially Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Claude 4) excels at understanding nuanced requirements, explaining complex code, and making architectural decisions.
2. Full Codebase Operations
Claude Code can perform sweeping changes across your entire codebase.
3. Git-Native Workflow
Claude Code understands git deeply. It can create commits with meaningful messages, manage branches, and resolve merge conflicts.
4. Automation & Scripting
Being terminal-based means Claude Code integrates naturally with CI/CD, cron jobs, and automation scripts.
5. IDE Agnostic
Use whatever editor you want. Vim, Emacs, Sublime, VS Code—Claude Code works with your filesystem, not a specific editor.
Claude Code Weaknesses
Learning curve for non-terminal users
No inline suggestions
API costs (pay per token)
Context switching between editor and terminal
Claude Code Best Use Cases
Terminal natives
Large refactoring across many files
Automation and CI/CD pipelines
Complex debugging requiring deep reasoning
Non-VS Code users
Head-to-Head: Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Building a REST API
Windsurf: 3 minutes, fully automated
Antigravity: 5 minutes, more control over each file
Claude Code: 8 minutes, more architectural discussion
Verdict: Windsurf wins on speed, Antigravity on consistency, Claude Code on understanding.
Scenario 2: Debugging a Performance Issue
Windsurf: Good for common patterns
Antigravity: Comprehensive analysis with large context
Claude Code: Best for complex debugging with hypothesis testing
Verdict: Claude Code for complex debugging, Antigravity for tracing through large codebases.
Scenario 3: Learning a New Framework
Windsurf: Learn by watching AI build
Antigravity: Inline suggestions help discover patterns
Claude Code: Teaches concepts first, then implements
Verdict: Claude Code for understanding, Windsurf for diving in, Antigravity for guided exploration.
Scenario 4: Code Review
Windsurf: Limited PR review capabilities
Antigravity: Checks against your rules file standards
Claude Code: Provides nuanced review with full context
Verdict: Claude Code for thorough review, Antigravity for enforcing standards.
The Customization Comparison
Windsurf
Limited to IDE settings and some Cascade preferences. No equivalent to rules files.
Antigravity Rules File
Comprehensive project-level AI programming with architecture, testing, and performance rules.
Claude Code CLAUDE.md
Similar power with Claude-specific features for project context and patterns.
Verdict: Antigravity and Claude Code tie for customization power. Windsurf trails significantly.
Cost Comparison (2025)
Windsurf
Free: Limited completions/month
Pro ($10/mo): Unlimited completions, faster models