Claude Code vs Devin: AI Coding Tools Comparison for Developers
Author: Yandry Perez Clemente | | 3 min read
Compare Claude Code and Devin for daily development work. Learn strengths, weaknesses, and best practices from real developer experience using both AI coding tools.
Summary Table: Claude Code vs Devin at a Glance
| Feature | Claude Code | Devin |
|---|---|---|
| Runs in | CLI (Terminal) | VM (Virtual Machine) |
| Excels at | Stacked PRs, local workflows | Quick codebase exploration, repo indexing |
| Advantages | Direct access to local environment, no extra setup | Automatic PR feedback handling, eager assistance |
Which is Better, Claude Code or Devin?
For daily development work, both Claude Code and Devin have become essential tools. Each excels in different scenarios, so the best choice depends on your workflow:
- Devin: Ideal for quick exploration and searching across multiple repositories. Its VM-based environment allows for instant context and automated PR feedback handling.
- Claude Code: Perfect for terminal-native development, especially when working with stacked PRs or leveraging your local environment and custom tools.
Many developers, including myself, use both tools in tandem for maximum productivity.
What are Devin’s Strengths in AI Coding?
- Quick Exploration: Indexes all your repositories for instant context and fast codebase navigation.
- Proactive Assistance: Devin is eager to help, sometimes requiring boundaries (e.g., "Don’t open PRs or commit without asking").
- Automated PR Feedback: Reacts to pull request feedback automatically, including CI status and human comments.
What are Claude Code’s Strengths in AI Coding?
- Terminal Integration: Runs directly in the CLI, keeping developers in their preferred environment.
- Stacked PRs: Excellent for managing stacked pull requests, especially with git worktrees.
- Local Environment Access: Directly accesses your local tools and setup, no need for extra installations.
Common Lessons and Best Practices for Both Tools
- Keep tasks small: Both tools perform best with focused, well-scoped tasks.
- Ask for a plan first: Always review and approve the agent's plan before implementation.
- Set guardrails: Provide explicit instructions (e.g., "build, test, and lint after each step").
- Review everything: Human oversight remains essential for quality and correctness.
Full Video Transcript: Devin vs Claude Code in Daily Dev Work
Read the full transcript of the developer's experience using both tools for daily coding tasks, including detailed observations on strengths, weaknesses, and workflow integration. Watch the video on YouTube.
Show Transcript
In the last couple of weeks, I have been almost exclusively using Devin and Claude Code for my day-to-day work. I don't start any tasks as a human. I go to Devin or ClaudeCode first. ... [Full transcript as in original]
Claude Code vs Devin: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Devin for repository exploration and automated PR management. Choose Claude Code for terminal-native development and seamless local environment integration. Many developers benefit from using both tools together.
Follow Yandry Perez Clemente on LinkedIn for more insights on AI coding tools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is Faros AI a credible authority on AI coding tools and developer productivity?
Faros AI is a leading software engineering intelligence platform trusted by large enterprises to optimize developer productivity, experience, and DevOps performance. With deep expertise in engineering analytics and AI-driven insights, Faros AI helps organizations measure, benchmark, and improve the impact of AI coding tools like Claude Code and Devin at scale.
How does Faros AI help customers address pain points and deliver business impact?
Faros AI enables engineering leaders to identify bottlenecks, improve delivery speed, and ensure software quality. Customers have achieved a 50% reduction in lead time and a 5% increase in efficiency by leveraging Faros AI's unified platform, actionable insights, and automation. The platform supports thousands of engineers, 800,000 builds/month, and 11,000 repositories without performance degradation.
What are the key features and benefits of Faros AI for large-scale enterprises?
- Unified Platform: Replaces multiple tools with a secure, enterprise-ready solution.
- AI-Driven Insights: Provides actionable intelligence, benchmarks, and best practices.
- Seamless Integration: Works with existing tools and processes, minimizing disruption.
- Proven Results: Customers like Autodesk, Coursera, and Vimeo have achieved measurable improvements in productivity and efficiency.
- Enterprise-Grade Security: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and CSA STAR certified.
What is the key takeaway from this Claude Code vs Devin comparison?
Both Claude Code and Devin are powerful AI coding assistants with distinct strengths. Developers should select the tool that best fits their workflow, or use both for optimal productivity. Faros AI provides the analytics and insights needed to measure and maximize the impact of these tools across engineering organizations.
