Cline

Cline is an open-source coding agent for VS Code, CLI, and SDK. Rechecked 2026-08-17: cline.bot/pricing says Cline is free for individual developers. You pay inference (purchase at cost or BYOK). There is no individual subscription. Enterprise is custom (SSO, SLA, dedicated support, JetBrains, centralized billing, team dashboard). github.com/cline/cline had 66,327 stars, license Apache-2.0. The old Claude 3.5 Sonnet-only copy is out. Treat the live model picker as the catalog.

Compare Claude Code if you wanted Anthropic's first-party CLI, Continue if you wanted another Apache-2.0 IDE agent, and Goose if you wanted Block's local agent.

Key Features

• IDE, CLI, SDK: Pricing lists the VS Code extension and CLI on the free individual row. SDK is a separate surface on the site nav.
• Human-in-the-loop edits: File diffs and terminal commands still wait for approval in the product we last used. Recheck the current permission UI.
• BYOK or at-cost: You can bring OpenAI / Anthropic / Google keys, or buy inference through Cline. There is no $20 Pro seat on the page we opened.
• MCP marketplace: Listed on the free row. Do not invent a paid MCP SKU.

Use Cases

• People who already have API keys and want an Apache-2.0 VS Code agent at $0 software.
• Teams that need Enterprise SSO and will talk to sales.
• People comparing Cline vs Claude Code vs Continue on license and seat, not on Sonnet 3.5 nostalgia.

Limitation: We did not re-verify browser automation or VS Code 1.93 as still-current headlines. Token spend is yours; Cline is not a $0 model.

Pricing

cline.bot/pricing on 2026-08-17.

If a leftover blog still lists a Cline Pro $20, treat this table as the source.

Getting Started

1. Install from cline.bot or the VS Code marketplace.
2. Add your own key or Cline-billed inference before the first agent turn.
3. Recheck Claude Code if you already pay Anthropic.
4. Do not promise a free Sonnet 3.5 quota.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cline free?

The client is free for individuals. Models are not.

Do I need Enterprise?

Only if you need SSO, SLA, JetBrains, or team admin. Individuals stay on the $0 row.

Same as Cursor?

No. Cursor is a paid IDE. Cline is an Apache-2.0 agent you drop into VS Code or a terminal.

Alternatives

• Claude Code: Anthropic CLI.
• Continue: Another open IDE agent.
• Goose: Local Apache-2.0 agent from Block / AAIF.

Tips

1. Quote $0 software plus BYOK, not "free Claude."
2. Do not paste Claude 3.5 Sonnet as the only model.
3. Recheck Enterprise before you promise JetBrains.

Conclusion

Cline is an Apache-2.0 coding agent with a free individual client and a custom Enterprise row, not a Sonnet 3.5 wrapper. Start at cline.bot/pricing, then decide whether Claude Code already covers the terminal you need.