Claude Code vs Cline
Short answer: Claude Code is in CLI coding agents; Cline is in IDE agent extensions, so they solve different parts of the job. We can't compare entry prices yet because Cline's paid price is not verified or not published. Cline has a free plan; Claude Code does not.
| Claude Code | Cline | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | CLI coding agents | IDE agent extensions |
| Vendor | Anthropic | Cline Bot Inc. |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Free plan | No (Claude Free does not include Claude Code; "Claude Code is included in all paid plans.") | Yes (Open-source extension is free for individuals; pay only for model inference (BYOK or Cline provider).) |
| Paid plans from | $20/mo | Free |
| Plans | Pro: $20 · Max 5x: $100 · Max 20x: $200 · Team (standard seat): $25 · Team (premium seat): $125 · Enterprise: $20 (annual) | Open Source: Free · Enterprise: — |
| Open source | Not verified yet | Yes |
| Editors named on vendor page | VS Code, JetBrains, terminal/CLI | VS Code, JetBrains, terminal/CLI |
| Features named on vendor page | MCP, self-hosting, code review, test generation, debugging, refactoring, SSO/SAML | MCP, bring your own key, local models, refactoring, self-hosting, SSO/SAML |
| Model families named | Claude | Claude, OpenAI GPT, Gemini, open-weight models |
| Checked | Oct 26, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 |
“Named on vendor page” means the phrase appears on the vendor's own page we captured; it is not a hands-on test. Unknown values are left blank rather than guessed.
FAQ
Is Claude Code cheaper than Cline?
We can't compare entry prices yet because Cline's paid price is not verified or not published. Prices are from each vendor's pricing page.
Do Claude Code and Cline have free plans?
Cline has a free plan; Claude Code does not.
What is the difference between Claude Code and Cline?
Claude Code is in CLI coding agents; Cline is in IDE agent extensions, so they solve different parts of the job. Claude Code is made by Anthropic; Cline is made by Cline Bot Inc.. See the table for plans, editors and features each vendor names.