We review pricing and features regularly, but check them on the official site before subscribing. How we review.
What is Cline?
Cline is an open source coding agent that installs as a VS Code extension. Its distinguishing trait is control: rather than applying changes silently, it proposes each file edit and each terminal command and waits for your approval. It is bring-your-own-key, so the extension is free and you only pay for the model you connect.
Pros
- Free and open source, inside VS Code
- Approve change by change: full control over what it touches
- Compatible with Anthropic, OpenAI, Bedrock, Vertex and Azure
- More than 1.5 million installs and a very active community
Cons
- Bring your own key: you pay for the tokens
- Approving every step is slower than letting the agent run
- No commercial support: it is a community project
What Cline is like in practice
Where it stands out
It is an open-source VS Code extension that shows diffs on screen and asks for approval step by step before writing anything. For anyone new to agents, that visual approval builds far more confidence than a program that acts and then reports. And it works with whichever model provider you like, including local ones.
Where it falls short
It tends to explore more context on its own than terminal tools, which translates into more tokens consumed, especially in large projects. It does not autocomplete as you type, so it does not replace Copilot: they cover different moments. And the initial API setup takes more steps than a subscription.
How its pricing works
The extension charges no licence: you pay for the tokens of whichever model you connect. Moderate use runs to a few euros a month; delegating long tasks daily can exceed the price of a subscription. Its biggest cost advantage is that you can point it at a model you host yourselves if the code cannot leave.
Is Cline right for you?
Yes, if…
You want an agent in VS Code with no subscription and explicit control: it asks permission before each file it touches and each command it runs. You choose the model and provider.
No, if…
You want the AI to work without interrupting you: approving step by step is slower. And since you bring your own key, the token spend is on you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cline free?
Yes, the extension is free and open source under Apache 2.0. You only pay for the API usage of whichever model you connect.
Cline or Cursor?
Cursor is a more polished commercial product with models included. Cline is free, stays inside the VS Code you already use, and gives you explicit control over every change.
Is it safe to let it run commands?
It asks for confirmation before every terminal command and every file edit, precisely so that nothing happens without you seeing it.
Compare Cline head to head
Pricing, features and limits of Cline against its direct rivals.
Where Cline appears
Rankings where we have picked this tool.