Cline
Open-source coding agent for desktop, IDE, terminal and SDK
- #5 of 10 in best AI coding assistants
- Free and open source
- Free to use
- Open source
- WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line
Ranked 5 of 10 in best AI coding assistants
An Apache 2.0 agent for desktop, IDE, terminal and SDK, with Plan and Act modes and MCP support. Cost depends on the model provider, and its ability to run commands needs careful permission settings.
Best for Open-source agent that works with any model
About Cline
Cline is an open-source coding agent. Its homepage describes a desktop app, a CLI, an IDE extension and an SDK, with Plan and Act modes, MCP integration and the ability to run bash commands and edit files across a project. The GitHub repository states that the project is licensed under Apache 2.0.
Because the code is public, the agent's behavior can be read and changed. The homepage says Cline works with any model, so the cost of each task depends on the model provider the user connects. The site also lists Enterprise options for teams that need central administration.
Key features
- Plan and Act modes
- MCP integration
- Runs bash commands
- Desktop, IDE, CLI and SDK
Strengths
- Apache 2.0 license with source on GitHub
- Plan and Act modes separate proposing from running
- Works with any model the user connects
Limits
- Model costs depend on the provider the user connects
- The agent can run bash commands, so permissions need care
Where Cline ranks
How Cline compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Interface | Model choice | Commits to git |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#3 GitHub Copilot | 91.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line | Editor extension, CLI and GitHub.com | Several models | Not listed |
#4 OpenCode | 87.5 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line | Terminal, IDE and desktop app | Free models or any provider | Not listed |
| #5Cline | 86.5 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line | Desktop app, IDE, CLI and SDK | Any model the user connects | Not listed |
#6 Kilo | 85.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line | VS Code, JetBrains, CLI and cloud | 500+ models or local models | Not listed |
| #7Aider | 83.5 | Free and open source | Command line | Terminal | Cloud and local models | Automatic commits |
The full comparison table for best AI coding assistants has all 10 products.
Alternatives to Cline
All 9 alternatives
Claude CodeAlso runs on Web.
CursorAI code editor with agents, cloud runs and team controls- GitHub CopilotAlso runs on Web.
- OpenCodeOpen-source AI coding agent for the terminal, IDE and desktop
- KiloOpen-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, CLI and cloud
- AiderOpen-source terminal tool for pair programming with LLMs
Questions about Cline
- Is Cline free?
- Cline can be used without paying: Free and open source under Apache 2.0; the site also lists Enterprise options. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Cline open source?
- Yes. Cline publishes its source code under the Apache-2.0 license.
- Which platforms does Cline support?
- Cline is available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line.
- What is Cline best for?
- Open-source agent that works with any model. In our ranking of AI coding assistants it is number 5 of 10 with a score of 86.5.
- What are the best alternatives to Cline?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, OpenCode.
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<a href="https://listme.name/software/cline"><img src="https://listme.name/badge/cline.svg" height="28" alt="Ranked #5 of 10 AI coding assistants on listme.name"></a>Articles that mention Cline
All articles- Roundups · 5 min readBest AI coding assistants compared by how they workCompare AI coding assistants by how they work, editor-integrated, terminal agent or open-source, with their pricing models and how much of the source you can read.
- Comparisons · 5 min readClaude Code vs Cursor: Which AI Coding Assistant Fits You?Claude Code is a terminal-first agent included in Claude Pro and Max, while Cursor is an AI code editor with a free Hobby plan. Compare workflows, plans and limits.