I've spent more than 40 hours/week and close to $1,000 in API credits using these tools. For me the ranking goes. But, we all will have difference experiences.
1. Claude Code 2. Cursor 3. Cline. 4. Windsurf
How you can place windsuf in number 4 is interesting, especially given it's very similar to cursor but is leaner on the UI and Cline is a vs-code plugin that very verbose.
I'll stick with Windsurf, especially given their upcoming announcement.
I care a lot less about UI and more about quality of output. Windsurf has had some of the lowest quality outputs for me.