Cline vs Claude Code
Cline is an open-source coding agent where you choose the model. Claude Code is Anthropic's agent, included in paid Claude plans.
- Local servers
- Yes
- runs stdio servers
- Hosted servers
- Yes
- connects by URL
- Config
- CLI + JSON
- how servers are added
- Plugins
- Yes
- plugin marketplaces
Our advice: pick Claude Code if you want Claude models on a flat plan with Anthropic's own tooling. Pick Cline if you want an open-source agent, your own choice of model and key, or a cheaper way to run open coding models.
Both run in the terminal and in VS Code and JetBrains, both connect to MCP servers, and both can run headless in CI. Cline itself is free, and you pay the model provider.
Good for
- Developers who work in VS Code or JetBrains and want a coding agent
- People who want to bring their own API key or run local models
- Claude subscribers weighing a second tool
- Teams that want to read the agent's source
Side by side
Our advice: Use Claude Code for Claude on a flat plan. Use Cline when you want open source, your own key or a non-Claude model.
| Option | Claude Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | No | Yes, Apache-2.0 |
| Free plan | No | App is free |
| Who you pay | Anthropic | Model provider or Cline |
| Flat subscription | Claude Pro, $20/mo | ClinePass, $9.99/mo |
| Models | Claude models | Your choice |
| Own API key | Console account | Yes |
| Runs in | Terminal, editors, desktop, web | VS Code, JetBrains, CLI, desktop |
| Approvals | Permission modes | Every action by default |
| Plan before acting | Plan mode | Plan and Act modes |
| Headless CI use | Yes | Yes |
| MCP servers | Yes | Yes |
Which to pick
Our advice: Already on Claude Pro or Max? Use Claude Code, since it is included. If you want an open-source agent, your own model choice, or local and open-weight models, use Cline. Cline can use Claude through an API key or, via the Claude CLI, a subscription (check Anthropic's terms first).
The main limit on each side: Claude Code is not open source and has no free plan, and Cline does not include model usage.
Best for
- Claude Code: people who want Claude models on a flat monthly plan
- Claude Code: desktop and web sessions as well as the terminal
- Cline: developers who want to read or change the agent's source
- Cline: people who want to pick the model or bring an API key
- Cline: JetBrains and VS Code users who want approval on every step
Skip it if
- Claude Code: you want a non-Claude model or a free plan
- Cline: you want a flat price that covers the agent and the model
Questions
Is Cline better than Claude Code?
This page names no winner and uses no benchmark. Results depend on your code and the model you use. Cline lets you pick the model, so you can run it with the same Claude model and compare.
Is Cline free?
The app is free and open source under Apache-2.0, but you pay for the model. Options are your own provider key, a Cline account with built-in billing and some free models, or ClinePass at $9.99 a month for more usage on popular open coding models.
Is Claude Code free?
No. The Claude Free plan does not include Claude Code. You need Pro ($20 a month, or $17 billed yearly) or higher, or an Anthropic Console account that pays per use.
Can I use Claude models in Cline?
Yes. Cline's docs describe an Anthropic API key, or your Claude Pro or Max subscription through the Claude CLI. Anthropic's legal page bars third-party developers from routing requests through plan credentials on behalf of their users, but allows an end user to sign in to the unmodified Claude Code binary with their own subscription. Our advice: check Anthropic's current terms before using your subscription this way.
Is Claude Code open source?
No. Its GitHub repository is public, but its license reads all rights reserved. Cline is open source under the Apache-2.0 license.
Do both support MCP servers?
Yes. Cline can use local or remote MCP servers, and so can Claude Code. See the Cline and Claude Code pages, or what MCP is.
Where does each one run?
Claude Code runs in the terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, a desktop app and the web. Cline runs in VS Code, JetBrains, a terminal CLI and a desktop app, and has an SDK. Cline's docs also list Cursor, Windsurf and Zed as supported editors.
Does Cline ask before it changes files?
Yes. Cline's docs say every action needs your approval by default. Claude Code has permission modes that range from asking each time to running with fewer prompts.
Can I use a different model for planning and coding?
In Cline, yes: you can set separate models for Plan and Act modes. Claude Code can switch models in a session and has an opusplan option that plans with Opus and then runs with Sonnet.
Information
updated Nov 3, 2026
- Transports
- stdio, SSE, Streamable HTTP
- Config file (all)
.mcp.json (project) or ~/.claude.json (user)- MCP docs
- code.claude.com
Sources
Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.
Show all 11Hide
- Cline Overview · docs.cline.bot
- cline/cline · github.com
- Claude pricing · claude.com
- Claude Code overview · code.claude.com
- Claude Code LICENSE · github.com
- Plan & Act Mode · docs.cline.bot
- Cline MCP · docs.cline.bot
- Claude Code Desktop · code.claude.com
- Model configuration · code.claude.com
- Anthropic / Claude Code (Cline) · docs.cline.bot
- Legal and compliance · code.claude.com