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Coding agent · prices checked Nov 3, 2026

Cline for vibe coding: pricing, pros, cons and real apps

An open-source (Apache 2.0) autonomous coding agent for VS Code, also available as a CLI, desktop app and JetBrains plugin. It is free for individuals; you pay only for model inference with your own API keys or via the Cline provider at cost.

Yes
free plan
Free + model API costs
paid from
—
makers here
Nov 3, 2026
checked

Official site: cline.bot · Links on this page are not affiliate links.

Short answer

Best for developers who want a model-agnostic agent inside their editor and control over API spend.

Pick Cline if: You want a free, open-source agent in VS Code and control over which model you pay for.

Skip it if: You don't want to manage API keys and token bills yourself.

Cline at a glance

Type
Coding agent
Made by
Cline Bot Inc.
Best for
Developers
Free plan
Yes. The open-source extension and CLI are free for individuals; inference is paid separately (BYO key or Cline provider at cost). Local models via Ollama/LM Studio cost nothing beyond your hardware.
Paid from
Free + model API costs
Pricing model
free/open-source + BYO API key
Builds
code
Tech stack
any language (edits your repo)
Hosting & deploy
No built-in hosting; runs your deploy commands in the editor terminal with your approval.
Code ownership
local repo
AI models
Any: Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, Vercel AI Gateway, AWS Bedrock, Azure/GCP Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, Ollama/LM Studio, any OpenAI-compatible API
Runs on
VS Code extension, JetBrains plugin, CLI (npm), desktop app (macOS, Windows), SDK

Cline pricing (Nov 3, 2026)

Official pricing →
Cline plans · checked Nov 3, 2026 on the official pricing page
PlanPriceWhat you get
Open SourceFreeVS Code extension and CLI; pay only for inference, at cost or with your own keys
EnterpriseCustomJetBrains extension, SSO, SLA, RBAC, provider restrictions, team dashboard

Pricing model: free/open-source + BYO API key. The open-source extension and CLI are free for individuals; inference is paid separately (BYO key or Cline provider at cost). Local models via Ollama/LM Studio cost nothing beyond your hardware.

How to vibe code with Cline

Short steps based on the official docs.

  1. Install the Cline extension from the VS Code Marketplace (or run npm i -g cline for the CLI)
  2. Open Cline and choose a provider: add your own API key or use the Cline provider
  3. Open your project folder
  4. Describe the task; Cline plans and asks before editing files or running commands
  5. Review diffs and approve each step

Pros

  • Open source (Apache 2.0), ~71k GitHub stars
  • Model-agnostic, including local models
  • No subscription or seat fee for individuals
  • Client-side architecture: code goes directly to the model provider you choose
  • MCP Marketplace for adding tools

Cons and limits

  • You manage and pay API costs yourself, which can add up on large tasks
  • JetBrains plugin is not open source
  • Enterprise pricing is not public
  • Requires an editor or terminal; not a hosted app builder

Indie makers who use Cline

No maker on IndieMakerList lists Cline in their stack yet.

Built something with Cline? Add your profile and list it in your stack.

Cline alternatives

All vibe coding tools →
  • Claude Code$20/mo (Claude Pro)

    You want the agent and model pair that currently tops Terminal-Bench 4.0 working across your whole repo, in a terminal, IDE or desktop app.

  • CodexFree in ChatGPT; Plus $20/mo

    You already pay for ChatGPT or want an agent you can try free, in a terminal or the ChatGPT app.

  • gooseFree + model API costs

    You want a free, open-source, model-agnostic agent with a desktop app that also handles non-coding tasks.

  • Gemini CLIGemini API pay-as-you-go

    You have a paid Gemini API key or a Code Assist license and want an open-source terminal agent.

  • BoltFree plan · $25/mo

    You want a browser builder that can also produce an Expo mobile app and lets you pick the Claude model.

  • ReplitFree plan · $20/mo

    You want an agent plus a full cloud IDE, database and hosting in one place, and may grow into editing code.

Cline FAQ

Is Cline free?

Yes, there is a free plan. The open-source extension and CLI are free for individuals; inference is paid separately (BYO key or Cline provider at cost). Local models via Ollama/LM Studio cost nothing beyond your hardware. Paid use starts at Free + model API costs (checked Nov 3, 2026).

How much does Cline cost?

Cline pricing as listed on its official page on Nov 3, 2026: Open Source: Free; Enterprise: Custom. Pricing model: free/open-source + BYO API key.

Is Cline good for vibe coding?

Best for developers who want a model-agnostic agent inside their editor and control over API spend. Pick it if: You want a free, open-source agent in VS Code and control over which model you pay for. Skip it if: You don't want to manage API keys and token bills yourself.

Which AI models does Cline use?

Any: Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, Vercel AI Gateway, AWS Bedrock, Azure/GCP Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, Ollama/LM Studio, any OpenAI-compatible API

Can I export my code from Cline?

local repo

What are the best Cline alternatives?

Common alternatives are Claude Code ($20/mo (Claude Pro)), Codex (Free in ChatGPT; Plus $20/mo), goose (Free + model API costs), Gemini CLI (Gemini API pay-as-you-go) and Bolt ($25/mo). See the full comparison of vibe coding tools for how they differ.

Related: what vibe coding is, the best vibe coding tools compared, head-to-head comparisons and the indie maker tech stack.

Sources

Official pages were read on Nov 3, 2026. Prices change often; check the vendor's page before you buy.

  1. Cline pricing
  2. cline/cline on GitHub
What we couldn't confirm from an official source
  • Company HQ location not stated on fetched pages
  • Reports (Jan 2026) that OpenAI hired 7+ Cline employees into the Codex team come from secondary sources; deal structure unconfirmed
  • Total funding (~$27M–$32M, Series A 2025) from secondary databases only