Cline
Open-source coding agent for VS Code and CLI.
Cline Bot Inc. · open source · checked Oct 22, 2026
What it is
Cline is an open-source autonomous coding agent in VS Code (and a CLI) that runs client-side with your choice of model provider.
Use cases
- →VS Code users who want an open agent
- →BYO-model setups
- →Privacy-conscious teams (client-side)
Pros
- +No subscription, no lock-in
- +Client-side architecture
- +Works with any provider
Cons
- −Inference costs are on you
- −Can be token-hungry on big tasks
Where it ranks
- #6 Best Coding Agents & CLI Agents
Free open-source agent in VS Code; pay only for inference.
FAQ
How much does Cline cost?
Free and open source for individuals; pay only for AI inference (usage-based). No subscription required. (As checked on 2026-10-22; confirm on https://cline.bot/pricing.)
What is Cline best for?
#6 in Best Coding Agents & CLI Agents: VS Code users who want control of costs.
What are the best alternatives to Cline?
OpenCode (Open-source terminal coding agent with free models); Aider (The original open-source AI pair programmer for the terminal); Claude Code (Anthropic's agentic coding tool for terminal, IDE and cloud).
Is Cline open source?
Yes, Cline is open source (or has an open-source core).