Best IDE for Factory Droid in 2026

Droid is Factory's coding agent. Factory says: "Use the Droid CLI to run Factory from your terminal, editor, tests, and Git workflow." Droid runs "all leading frontier and open-weight models," and you can bring your own keys in the CLI and desktop app. It runs in a terminal, a desktop app, editors, and on Droid Computers. So the best "IDE for Droid" depends on where you want the work to run and whether you want several tasks, or several agents, at once.

Facts were checked against Factory's own docs on October 13, 2026.

The Short Version

Where you run Droid	Best for	Parallel tasks on one repo?	Main tradeoff
Superset	Many Droid tasks at once, next to other agents	Git worktrees for local branch-based workspaces	Not a single-file editor experience
`droid` CLI	One focused task, scripts, and CI	Missions, custom Droids, background agents	You manage separate tasks yourself
Factory desktop app	Many Droids at once in Factory's own app	Git worktrees, local or on Droid Computers	macOS and Windows only; Droid only
VS Code extension	Editing alongside Droid	Limited	One working copy
JetBrains and Zed via ACP	Droid inside those editors	Limited	One working copy
Droid Computers	Work that runs off your laptop	One machine per session	Managed VMs on paid plans

The Options

`droid` CLI

The droid CLI runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows. Missions (/missions, droid exec --mission), custom Droids, and cloud and local background agents spread larger work. droid exec runs it headless, and there are Python and TypeScript SDKs and a GitHub Action. It supports MCP, hooks, plugins, and skills, and connects to Jira, Linear, Slack, and PagerDuty. For one task at a time, start here.

Factory desktop app

Factory's desktop app for macOS and Windows runs many Droids at once in Git worktrees, on your machine or on Droid Computers. It is the strongest option if you only use Droid and want Factory's automations and review in one place.

For the direct comparison, see Superset vs Factory.

VS Code extension

Factory's VS Code extension also works in Cursor and Windsurf. It suits editing alongside Droid, with the usual single-working-copy limit when you want several tasks at once.

JetBrains and Zed via ACP

JetBrains IDEs and Zed connect to Droid through the Agent Client Protocol (ACP), so you can work with Droid inside those editors.

Droid Computers

Droid Computers are persistent machines: managed cloud VMs that pause when idle, or your own machine connected through Factory's relay. The Plus plan ($100 per month) includes managed Droid Computers. The work keeps going when your laptop is closed.

Superset

Superset runs Droid as a built-in agent. Each new local branch-based workspace gets its own Git worktree and terminal, so several Droid tasks can run on the same repository at once, locally or on your own remote hosts. You can also run Claude Code, Codex, or any other CLI agent in the next workspace and compare the results. Around it you get a Changes pane that commits, pushes, and opens PRs, a Pull Requests view with CI checks, an in-app browser, and an iPhone and iPad app. Superset never proxies model calls. Worktrees separate working files but do not sandbox processes or prevent merge conflicts; see workspace types.

How To Choose

For one task, scripts, or CI, use the droid CLI.
For many Droids in Factory's own app, use the Factory desktop app.
To edit alongside Droid, use the VS Code extension, or JetBrains or Zed through ACP.
For work that keeps going without your machine, use Droid Computers.
For many Droid tasks next to other agents, with PRs and review in one place, use Superset.

Verdict

Factory's own surfaces are the best place for Droid alone. The desktop app already runs many Droids in worktrees, and Droid Computers give you managed cloud machines, which Superset does not host. Once you want Droid next to Claude Code or Codex on the same repository, on your own subscriptions and machines, run it in a workspace like Superset.

For other options, see Factory Alternatives. For the full field, see Best AI Coding Agents in 2026.

How To Run Droid in Superset

Open your repository in Superset and create a workspace. Each new local branch-based workspace gets its own Git worktree.
Pick Droid (Factory) from the agent presets. It signs in with your own Factory plan or keys.
To compare agents, create a second workspace with Claude Code or Codex and give it the same prompt.
Compare the diffs in the Changes pane, then open a PR from the better one.

Superset never proxies model calls; each agent uses your own subscription or key. Superset does not track Droid's token use, because Droid keeps no local usage log it can read.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best IDE for Factory Droid?

For one task or CI, the droid CLI. For many Droids in Factory's own app, the Factory desktop app. For several Droid tasks next to other agents on one repository, a worktree workspace like Superset.

Does Droid work in VS Code or JetBrains?

Yes. Factory has a VS Code extension that also works in Cursor and Windsurf. JetBrains IDEs and Zed connect through ACP.

How much does Factory Droid cost?

Factory's Pro plan is $20 per month, Plus is $100 per month (about 5x Pro, with managed Droid Computers), and Max is $200 per month (about 10x). Teams starts at $60 per month plus $40 per seat, with Business and Enterprise above it.

Can I run Droid and Claude Code at the same time?

Yes. In Superset, each runs in its own workspace and worktree on the same repository, and you compare the diffs before you open a PR.