Cline
An open-source agent inside stock VS Code that uses your own API key.
open source
Pricing The extension is free and open source. You pay the model provider directly, so cost tracks usage exactly. source ↗
Cline ↗Head to head
Cline vs Cursor
Cline is an open-source extension for the VS Code you already have, using your own API key. Cursor is a polished fork you pay a seat for. Pick Cline if you want to keep your editor, control exactly which model runs, or point it at a local model so no code leaves your machine. Pick Cursor for the smoother experience and predictable billing. Bring-your-own-key is not automatically cheaper — heavy agent use can exceed a flat seat easily.
Checked 2026-07-29 · we re-check quarterly · how we compare
Cursor
A VS Code fork built around an agent that edits across your whole repository.
Pricing Free tier with limited requests, then per-seat subscriptions; heavy agent use meters beyond the allowance. source ↗
Cursor ↗Side by side
| Cline | Cursor | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Extension for stock VS Code. | A separate VS Code fork. |
| Licence | Open source — auditable. | Proprietary. |
| Billing | You pay the model provider directly, per token. | Per seat, with metering above the allowance. |
| Local models | Yes — point it at Ollama and nothing leaves the machine. | Not the intended workflow. |
| Polish | Good, but plainly an extension. | More refined end to end. |
| Cost predictability | Tracks usage exactly — which can mean surprises. | Flat until you exceed the allowance. |
Pick Cline if…
- You want to keep your existing VS Code setup rather than switch editors.
- You want the tool itself to be open source and auditable.
- You need to run against a local model so code never leaves your machine.
- You want to choose the exact model and see exactly what each task costs.
Pick Cursor if…
- You want the most polished experience and will pay for it.
- You prefer one predictable bill over per-token costs you have to watch.
- Your team wants a single tool with support behind it.
- You do not want to manage API keys.
Pick neither if…
- You mainly want completion while typing — Copilot is cheaper and better at that specific job.
- You work in a terminal, where a terminal-native agent fits better than either.
- You are new to programming; both apply large changes you would need to be able to review.
Every comparison here says when the honest answer is "not this one". A page that can only recommend is an advertisement.
Questions people actually ask
Is Cline cheaper than Cursor?
Not necessarily. Cline is free but you pay the model provider per token, and agentic work uses a lot. Heavy users often spend more than a Cursor seat; light users spend less. Track it for a week before assuming.
Can Cline use local models?
Yes — point it at Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. That is its strongest argument in environments where source code cannot leave the machine.
Do I need to switch editors for Cline?
No, and that is much of the appeal. It installs into the VS Code you already have, keeping your extensions and settings.
Which produces better code?
Largely the same, because both call the same frontier models. Differences come from how each builds context and applies edits, not from the underlying model.
Related
Browse the full catalog, or the open-source roundups if you would rather self-host than choose between two subscriptions.