Cline vs Cursor
Two of the most-asked-about agents in the coding space. Here's how they actually stack up.
Cline
Open-source autonomous coding agent that runs in VS Code with full visibility
Free
Read full review →Cursor
AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code
Free + $20/mo
Read full review →Side-by-side comparison
| Cline | Cursor | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Open-source autonomous coding agent that runs in VS Code with full visibility | AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code |
| Pricing | Free | Free + $20/mo |
| Categories | coding, vscode-extension, autonomous | coding, ide |
| Made by | Cline | Anysphere |
| Launched | 2024-07 | 2023-03 |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Status | active | active |
Cline highlights
- + Step-by-step transparency with explicit approval for every file write and command
- + Bring-your-own-key support for Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Mistral, and local models
- + MCP (Model Context Protocol) client for connecting custom tools and data sources
- + Browser and computer use for web research and UI testing
- + Plan mode for reviewing the agent's strategy before it touches a single file
Cursor highlights
- + Inline AI completions with project-wide context
- + Composer mode for multi-file edits from a single prompt
- + Agent mode for autonomous task execution
- + Tab completion that learns your patterns
- + Built-in chat with codebase indexing
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cline or Cursor?
Neither is universally better. Cline (Free) leans into coding, while Cursor (Free + $20/mo) is closer to coding. Pick based on which workflow you actually do every day.
What is the price difference between Cline and Cursor?
Cline is free. Cursor is free + $20/mo. See the pricing row in the comparison table.
Can I use Cline and Cursor together?
In most cases, yes. They serve overlapping but distinct needs, so running them side by side is common until you decide which fits your workflow.