Cline is a free, open-source autonomous coding agent for VS Code (and a CLI) that plans, edits files and runs commands with your approval. You pay only for model usage via your own API keys.
What is Cline?
Cline popularised the plan/act workflow inside VS Code: it proposes a plan, then executes step by step with diffs and terminal commands you approve. It has an MCP marketplace for adding tools.
Its client-side architecture means code goes straight from your machine to your chosen model provider. Enterprise adds SSO, centralised billing and role-based controls.
Cline pricing
Plans as publicly listed on the official pricing page, verified 2026-10-10.
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Free | Pay only for inference (BYOK or Cline provider at cost) |
| Enterprise | Custom | SSO, SLA, team dashboard, JetBrains extension |
Source: https://cline.bot/pricing. Prices in USD, excluding tax.
Supported models
Any provider via your own API keys, plus local models. Bring-your-own-key: supported.
Claude OpenAI Gemini Grok Open-weight Local models
Model watch: Gemini 4 Carbon — reported, unconfirmed: what we know
Features at a glance
- ✓ Agent mode
- — Autocomplete
- — Cloud / background agents
- — PR code review
- ✓ MCP support
- ✓ Self-host option
Interfaces: VS Code extension · CLI · JetBrains (Enterprise) · SDK.
Strengths and weaknesses
＋ Strengths
- Free and open source
- Any model, no markup when using your keys
- Transparent step-by-step approvals
- Large MCP ecosystem
－ Weaknesses
- Token costs can climb on big tasks
- No built-in autocomplete
- JetBrains support is Enterprise-only
Who is Cline best for?
VS Code users who want an autonomous agent with full control over models and spend.
Cline alternatives
Teams wanting an open-source agent across VS Code and JetBrains with light admin features.
Free · Compare →
Developers who want a Claude-Code-style terminal agent without vendor lock-in.
Free · Compare →
Teams already on GitHub who want AI across editors and the PR workflow at a low price.
Free tier · from $10/mo · Compare →
Existing users with local-model setups.
Free · Compare →
Head-to-head: Cline vs Kilo Code · Cline vs OpenCode · Cline vs GitHub Copilot · Cline vs Continue