Cline
by Cline
Open source coding agent for your editor and terminal
Reviewed by the the30top research team · Last reviewed 2026-10-27
Overview
Cline is an open source coding agent delivered as a VS Code extension and CLI, with a client-side architecture and an MCP marketplace. The open source version is free for individuals, so you pay only for AI inference, either through your own API keys or at cost. Teams that want SSO, a JetBrains extension, role-based access and central billing need the custom-priced Enterprise plan, and no team price is published.
Our verdict
A transparent, flexible agent for people who want control of their model spend. Budget for inference separately and talk to sales if you need enterprise controls.
Best for
Developers and teams who want an open source agent with full control over models and keys.
Avoid if
You want a single flat subscription that bundles model usage.
Pros
- Open source and free for individuals
- Works with your own model keys
- MCP Marketplace built in
Cons
- Inference costs are yours to manage
- No published team price
- JetBrains extension is Enterprise only
Key capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Cline free?
The open source extension is free for individual developers. You pay for AI inference at cost or use your own API keys, with no subscription or seat fees.
What does Cline Enterprise add?
Enterprise adds a JetBrains extension, SSO, SLA, dedicated support, centralised billing, role-based access control and authentication logs. Pricing is custom.
Who has invested in Cline?
Cline announced a combined seed and Series A in July 2025 led by Emergence Capital and Pace Capital.