Make an informed choice
Choosing your next tool
Match the development surface to the team
Factory combines Droid coding sessions with reusable workflows, headless execution and larger-task orchestration. Good alternatives include Cursor, GitHub Copilot and Claude Code. Compare them on where developers work, which tools can act on the repository and how the team reviews resulting changes. Broad claims about autonomous development are less useful than a representative task with a visible diff and checks.
Workflow comparison
| Product | Useful fit | Evaluate carefully |
|---|---|---|
| Factory | Droid across app, terminal and automation surfaces | Autonomy policy, workflow setup and preview access |
| Cursor | Agent-assisted work inside an editor-centered development experience | Repository context, agent tools and account usage limits |
| GitHub Copilot | Assistance across supported editors and GitHub workflows | Feature availability, organization policies and usage |
| Claude Code | Agent work in a terminal and other supported development surfaces | Permissions, authentication and model-related costs |
Cursor for an editor-centered workflow
Cursor is relevant when the team wants agent assistance close to code navigation and editing. Its official documentation covers agent work, rules and connected tools. Compare a change that spans several files, then inspect how easily a developer can understand the context, review edits and run checks. Factory's multiple surfaces may matter more when the same procedure must also run headlessly.
GitHub Copilot for existing GitHub practices
GitHub Copilot supports several assistance workflows across editors and GitHub. The official overview explains the product family. It may suit an organization already managing development through GitHub, but features and policy requirements differ by plan and surface. Check the exact workflow you intend to use instead of assuming every Copilot capability is included in one account.
Claude Code for terminal agent work
Claude Code offers another approach to delegating repository tasks. Its documentation describes codebase work and available surfaces. Compare it with Droid on a specific bug, the permissions needed and the quality of the engineering handoff. For all three alternatives, assess current access and billing separately, preserve normal review practices, and test an incomplete or failing environment as well as a clean example.