Claude Code vs Cline
Anthropic's proprietary terminal agent versus the open-source, bring-your-own-key agent for VS Code and JetBrains.
Updated August 28, 2026 · Independent comparison — Claude Code, Cline are separate products.
Claude Code
Anthropic's terminal-first coding agent
Claude Code is Anthropic's terminal-first agentic coding tool. It reads, edits, tests, and navigates codebases from the command line with plan mode, slash commands, subagents, hooks, skills, and MCP, plus official VS Code and JetBrains extensions and Claude Code on the web and mobile. It is proprietary — the repo is public but not OSI-licensed — and runs on Claude Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku 4.x; bring-your-own-key is partial, limited to pointing ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL at an Anthropic-compatible endpoint (for example a GLM, Qwen, or Kimi coding-plan key) rather than a generic provider picker. Billing is through Anthropic API usage or an eligible Claude Pro or Max subscription, whose 5-hour and weekly usage pools are shared with claude.ai chat.
Cline
Open-source, bring-your-own-key coding agent
Cline is an open-source (Apache-2.0) AI coding agent that began as a VS Code extension and now also runs in JetBrains IDEs and a preview CLI. It is model-agnostic and bring-your-own-key: point it at Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, AWS Bedrock, OpenRouter, or a local runtime like Ollama. Its Plan/Act workflow, MCP support with a built-in MCP Marketplace, checkpoints, and browser automation make it a transparent, inspectable agent. Cline also sells ClinePass, an optional $9.99/month flat-rate subscription for generous access to open-weight coding models.
Bottom line
Anthropic's proprietary terminal agent versus the open-source, bring-your-own-key agent for VS Code and JetBrains. Choose Claude Code if you want Anthropic's Claude models as your primary coding brain, integrated end to end; choose Cline if you want an open-source (Apache-2.0) agent you can inspect, fork, or self-host.
Pricing & Plans
| Feature | Claude Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Client license | Proprietary (public Agent SDK) | Open source (Apache-2.0) |
| Entry paid plan | Claude Pro $20/month | Free (BYOK; pay providers directly) |
| Higher-usage option | Claude Max $100-$200/month | ClinePass $9.99/month (open-weight models) |
| API / usage billing | Anthropic API pay-as-you-go | Any provider's API (BYOK) |
| Account required | ✓ | ✓ |
Models & Providers
| Feature | Claude Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Model roster | Claude Opus / Sonnet / Haiku 4.x | Any model via BYOK |
| Multi-vendor models | Partial (Anthropic-compatible base URL) | ✓ |
| Providers | Anthropic or ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL (GLM/Qwen/Kimi) | Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Bedrock, OpenRouter, local |
| Local models (Ollama) | ✗ | ✓ |
| In-session model switching | ✓ | ✓ |
Agent Experience
| Feature | Claude Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Primary interface | Terminal CLI | VS Code / JetBrains sidebar (+ preview CLI) |
| Plan before editing | Plan mode | Plan / Act modes |
| Permissions model | Permission modes + approvals | Per-step approval (auto-approve optional) |
| MCP support | ✓ | Yes (+ MCP Marketplace) |
| Checkpoints / undo | Git-based | Built-in checkpoints |
| Browser automation | Via MCP / tools | Built-in browser use |
Developer Workflow
| Feature | Claude Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| IDE integrations | VS Code + JetBrains extensions | VS Code + JetBrains extensions |
| Headless / scriptable | ✓ | Preview CLI |
| Custom behavior | Subagents, hooks, skills | Custom rules, MCP servers, workflows |
| Project instructions | CLAUDE.md + skills | .clinerules |
| Web / mobile continuation | claude.ai/code + mobile | ✗ |
Platforms & Openness
| Feature | Claude Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Local OS support | macOS, Linux, Windows | macOS, Linux, Windows |
| Source availability | Proprietary (public Agent SDK) | Open source (Apache-2.0) |
| Standout feature | Skills, subagents, plan mode | MCP Marketplace + Plan/Act + checkpoints |
| Vendor ecosystem | Anthropic / Claude | Model-agnostic |
| Open-weight subscription | ✗ | ClinePass $9.99/mo |
The Verdict
Choose Claude Code if...
- ✓You want Anthropic's Claude models as your primary coding brain, integrated end to end.
- ✓You already pay for Claude Pro or Max, or bill through the Anthropic API.
- ✓You rely on subagents, hooks, skills, plan mode, and slash commands.
- ✓You want official VS Code and JetBrains extensions plus web and mobile continuation.
- ✓You prefer a vendor-managed, deeply polished agent over an open-source client.
Choose Cline if...
- ✓You want an open-source (Apache-2.0) agent you can inspect, fork, or self-host.
- ✓You want to bring your own key and switch freely between Claude, GPT, Gemini, or local models.
- ✓You value the Plan/Act workflow, MCP Marketplace, checkpoints, and built-in browser use.
- ✓You work primarily inside VS Code or JetBrains rather than a bare terminal.
- ✓You want optional ClinePass flat-rate access to open-weight models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Claude Code and Cline?
Claude Code is Anthropic's terminal-first agentic coding tool. Cline is an open-source (Apache-2.0) AI coding agent that began as a VS Code extension and now also runs in JetBrains IDEs and a preview CLI.
How much do Claude Code and Cline cost?
Claude Code: Claude Pro $20/month. Cline: Free (BYOK; pay providers directly). See the pricing table above for full plan details.
Should I choose Claude Code or Cline?
Choose Claude Code if you want Anthropic's Claude models as your primary coding brain, integrated end to end. Choose Cline if you want an open-source (Apache-2.0) agent you can inspect, fork, or self-host.
1DevToolRun both — and more
Torn between Claude Code and Cline? 1DevTool is a multi-agent workspace that runs Claude Code, Cline, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and OpenCode side by side in persistent terminals — bring your own keys or subscriptions, no lock-in. It adds a built-in HTTP client, 13-engine database client, and embedded browser, all wired into Send-to-AI. One-time $29, no subscription.