Cline
Open-source AI coding assistant for VS Code
Best free/open-source option
Developers who want a free, open-source AI coding agent with full model flexibility
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Free and open-source — bring your own API key |
Hidden costs to be aware of:
- API costs for your chosen LLM provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.)
Pricing last verified: 2026-03-13
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Completely free and open-source (Apache 2.0)
- +Works with any LLM provider — not locked to one model
- +Agentic coding: can create files, run terminal commands, and browse the web
- +Very active community and rapid development
Limitations
- -Requires your own API key — you manage and pay for LLM costs directly
- -Requires developer skills and VS Code familiarity
- -Setup more involved than commercial alternatives
- -Quality depends heavily on which LLM you connect
What Real Users Say
“Cline with Claude is basically Cursor but free (minus the API costs). The agentic mode is incredible.”
How It Compares
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Direct link — no affiliate relationship
Last updated: 2026-03-13