Quick Verdict
The Short Answer
- Choose Cline if: You want model freedom (any LLM, including local models), IDE integration (VS Code, JetBrains, Cursor, Windsurf), human-in-the-loop approval for every action, and zero subscription cost. Best for cost-conscious developers and teams with existing model contracts.
- Choose Claude Code if: You want maximum editing speed (3x more edits/minute), Agent Teams for multi-agent coordination, automatic context compaction for infinite sessions, and Anthropic's purpose-built terminal experience. Best for developers who live in the terminal and work on complex, multi-file refactors.
- The real trade-off: Cline trades speed for flexibility. Claude Code trades flexibility for speed. Neither is universally better.
These two tools share a common goal but almost nothing else. Cline is a VS Code extension that brings any AI model into your IDE with explicit approval for every file change and terminal command. Claude Code is a terminal application that runs Claude models at maximum speed with orchestrated multi-agent teams. The right choice depends on where you code (IDE vs. terminal), what models you want to use (any vs. Claude only), and how much control you want over each action (explicit approval vs. autonomous execution).
Architecture: IDE Extension vs. Terminal Agent
The fundamental architectural difference shapes every aspect of how these tools work.
Cline: IDE-Native Extension
Cline runs inside your editor as a VS Code extension. It has direct access to your file tree, terminal, and even a browser via Claude's Computer Use capability. Every file change appears as a diff for approval. Every terminal command requires permission before execution. Plan mode analyzes your codebase without modifying anything. Act mode executes with approval at each step.
Claude Code: Terminal-Native Agent
Claude Code runs in your terminal with no GUI editor. It reads and writes files, runs commands, and reports back. Auto-compaction summarizes conversation history at 50% context usage, enabling effectively infinite sessions. Agent Teams coordinate multiple instances with shared task lists. The /compact command lets you manually trim context for a specific focus area.
| Dimension | Cline | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | VS Code / JetBrains / Cursor extension | Terminal CLI |
| File access | Through IDE file system APIs | Direct filesystem read/write |
| Approval model | Explicit permission for every action | Configurable autonomy levels |
| Context management | Per-conversation | Auto-compaction at 50% usage |
| Browser access | Built-in (Computer Use capability) | Via MCP tools |
| Multi-agent | Single agent per session | Agent Teams with shared task lists |
| Open source | Yes (Apache 2.0) | CLI available, model proprietary |
| Session persistence | Per-conversation only | Cross-session via CLAUDE.md and compaction |
The architectural choice has real consequences. Cline's IDE integration means you see AI changes in context: syntax-highlighted diffs in your editor, alongside your file tree and terminal output. Claude Code's terminal approach means faster raw execution (no GUI overhead), better context management (compaction), and multi-agent orchestration (Agent Teams). You trade visual comfort for computational efficiency.
Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cline | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Edit speed | Standard (model-dependent) | 3x more edits per minute |
| Plan/Act workflow | Built-in Plan and Act modes | Not separated (inline planning) |
| MCP support | Yes (can create new tools) | Yes (servers and skills) |
| Code understanding | AST analysis + regex search | Repo map + CLAUDE.md context |
| Browser interaction | Screenshots, clicks, scrolling, console logs | Via MCP browser tools |
| Cost tracking | Built-in token and cost display per request | Usage visible in Claude dashboard |
| Linting/testing | Runs linters and tests after changes | Runs tests, reads output |
| Voice input | Not available | Not available |
| Image input | Screenshots and visual context | Image and screenshot support |
| Git integration | Basic (through terminal) | Deep (commits, diffs, branch management) |
Speed Matters More Than You Think
The 3x edit speed difference between Claude Code and Cline is not a minor detail. On a 20-file refactor, that difference compounds into hours saved per week. Claude Code achieves this because of single-model optimization: when you only need to support one model family, you can optimize prompting, context management, and edit formatting in ways that a multi-model system cannot. The trade-off is that you lose model choice entirely.
Model Support: Any Model vs. Claude Only
This is the single biggest differentiator between Cline and Claude Code. It affects cost, privacy, performance, and lock-in.
Cline: Bring Any Model
OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, Azure, GCP Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, and any OpenAI-compatible API. Run local models through LM Studio or Ollama for complete privacy. Mix expensive models for planning with cheap models for execution. Your API keys, your cost control.
Claude Code: Claude Models Only
Claude Pro ($20/month), Max ($100-$200/month), or API keys with per-token billing. You get Opus 4.6, Sonnet, and Haiku. No GPT, no Gemini, no local models. The upside: Anthropic optimizes the entire experience for Claude's strengths, delivering faster edits and better context management than any generic wrapper.
| Provider | Cline | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropic Claude | Supported | Native (only option) |
| OpenAI GPT | Supported | Not available |
| Google Gemini | Supported | Not available |
| Local models (Ollama/LM Studio) | Supported | Not available |
| AWS Bedrock / Azure / GCP | Supported | Bedrock only |
| Custom API endpoints | Any OpenAI-compatible API | Not available |
For teams with existing OpenAI or Google contracts, Cline's model flexibility avoids duplicate billing. For privacy-sensitive projects, Cline's local model support means code never leaves your machine. For maximum coding performance, Claude Code's purpose-built experience with Opus 4.6 outperforms any generic wrapper using the same model.
Agent Capabilities: Human-in-the-Loop vs. Autonomous Teams
Cline and Claude Code handle agent autonomy very differently, and this difference defines who each tool is built for.
Cline: Explicit Approval at Every Step
Cline never modifies a file or runs a command without your explicit permission. Every change appears as a diff for review. Every terminal command shows up for approval. This human-in-the-loop design makes Cline safer but slower. It's ideal for developers who want oversight over every AI action, especially on production codebases.
Claude Code: Agent Teams with Shared Tasks
Claude Code's Agent Teams let you spin up multiple instances that work in parallel. One session leads, assigning tasks. Teammates claim tasks from a shared list, communicate directly with each other, and coordinate without routing everything through the lead. Each teammate gets its own context window and loads project context automatically.
| Dimension | Cline | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomy level | Human approval required | Configurable (full auto available) |
| Multi-agent | Single agent only | Agent Teams (experimental) |
| Inter-agent communication | N/A | Direct teammate messaging |
| Context per agent | Shared conversation | Dedicated context window each |
| Task management | Manual | Shared task list with dependencies |
| Safety model | Every action needs approval | Sandboxed with configurable permissions |
The safety vs. speed trade-off is real. On a codebase where a mistake costs deployment downtime, Cline's explicit approval model is a feature, not a limitation. On a large refactor where you trust the AI and want maximum throughput, Claude Code's Agent Teams can parallelize work across multiple instances while you review results after the fact.
Pricing: Pay-Per-Use vs. Subscription
The pricing models are fundamentally different. Cline is free software with pay-per-use API costs. Claude Code is subscription software with bundled usage.
| Tier | Cline | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Extension/tool cost | $0 (free, open source) | $20/month minimum (Claude Pro) |
| AI model cost | Your API keys, your rates | Included in subscription (with limits) |
| Local models | $0 via Ollama/LM Studio | Not available |
| Heavy usage | Scales with token consumption | $100-$200/month Max plans |
| Teams | Free through Q1 2026, then $20/month (first 10 seats free) | $150/person/month (Premium) |
| Cost transparency | Per-request token and cost tracking in UI | Usage dashboard, less granular |
Cost Calculation
A developer using Cline with Claude Sonnet via API might spend $5-15/month on tokens depending on usage. That same developer using Claude Code Pro would pay $20/month with usage limits that might throttle heavy sessions. The break-even point depends on volume: light users save with Cline, very heavy users might prefer Claude Code Max ($200/month) for unlimited-feeling access with 20x Pro limits. Cline's built-in cost tracking per request helps you monitor spend in real time.
When Cline Wins
Model Freedom and Cost Control
If you want to use GPT for some tasks, Claude for others, and local models for sensitive code, Cline is the only option. Cost-conscious teams can use cheaper models for routine tasks and expensive ones for complex refactors. Per-request cost tracking keeps spending visible.
IDE Integration
Cline runs inside VS Code, JetBrains, Cursor, and Windsurf. You see AI changes as diffs in your editor, alongside your file tree and terminal. Claude Code runs in a separate terminal window with no IDE integration. For developers who live in their editor, this is a significant workflow advantage.
Safety-First Workflows
Every file change and terminal command requires explicit approval. Cline never modifies anything without your permission. For production codebases, regulated industries, or developers who want oversight over every AI action, this human-in-the-loop model provides a safety net that Claude Code's autonomous mode does not.
Browser Automation
Cline can launch a browser, click elements, type text, scroll, and capture screenshots and console logs using Claude's Computer Use capability. This enables interactive debugging, end-to-end testing, and visual verification of UI changes directly from the extension.
Cline wins when flexibility, safety, and IDE integration matter more than raw speed. For a comparison with another IDE-integrated tool, see our Cline vs Cursor breakdown.
When Claude Code Wins
Raw Editing Speed
Claude Code achieves 3x more edits per minute than Cline on the same refactoring tasks. Single-model focus enables prompt optimization, context management, and edit formatting tuned specifically for Claude's strengths. On large refactors, this speed difference saves hours per week.
Multi-Agent Orchestration
Agent Teams let you coordinate multiple Claude Code instances with shared task lists, dependency tracking, and direct inter-agent communication. Each agent gets its own context window. This is a fundamentally different capability from Cline's single-agent model.
Long Session Context Management
Auto-compaction summarizes conversation history at 50% context usage, replacing raw turns with summaries that preserve decisions. This enables effectively infinite sessions without context window limits. Manual /compact lets you trim context for a specific focus area. Cline has no equivalent.
Terminal-Native Workflows
For developers who live in the terminal, Claude Code is a natural fit. No IDE overhead, no GUI context switching. Pipe outputs, chain commands, integrate into shell scripts. The terminal-first design handles parallel workloads better than any VS Code extension.
Claude Code wins when speed, autonomy, and multi-agent coordination matter more than model choice and IDE integration. For another terminal agent comparison, see Codex vs Claude Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cline or Claude Code better for coding in 2026?
It depends on your workflow. Cline is better for developers who want model freedom, IDE integration, cost control, and explicit approval for every AI action. Claude Code is better for developers who want maximum editing speed, multi-agent coordination, and automatic context management in the terminal.
Is Cline free to use?
The Cline extension is completely free and open source under Apache 2.0. You pay only for AI inference through your own API keys. There are no subscription fees for individual use. Teams pricing starts free through Q1 2026, then $20/month with the first 10 seats always free.
How much does Claude Code cost?
Claude Code requires a Claude subscription. Pro at $20/month is the entry point. Max plans offer 5x usage ($100/month) or 20x ($200/month). You can also use API keys and pay per token. Claude Opus 4.5 costs $5/$25 per million input/output tokens.
What models does Cline support?
Cline supports OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, Azure, GCP Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, any OpenAI-compatible API, and local models through LM Studio or Ollama. Claude Code only supports Claude models.
What are Claude Code Agent Teams?
Agent Teams coordinate multiple Claude Code instances. One session leads, assigning tasks. Teammates work independently with their own context windows, communicating directly with each other. Unlike single-agent subagents, teammates share findings and coordinate without routing through a main agent. The feature is experimental and disabled by default.
Does Cline work with JetBrains?
Yes. Cline supports JetBrains IDEs alongside VS Code, Cursor, and Windsurf. Claude Code does not integrate with any IDE. It runs exclusively in the terminal. For more IDE comparisons, see Aider vs Cursor.
Make Any AI Coding Agent Faster
Morph's Fast Apply model generates precise file edits. Drop-in compatible with Cline, Claude Code, or any agent that writes code.