Cline
Cline
FreemiumWindsurf
Codeium
FreemiumCline vs Windsurf: Full Comparison (2026)
Cline is open-source autonomous coding agent living in your vs code editor. Windsurf is the agentic ide by codeium that codes alongside you autonomously. Use the breakdown below to find the right fit for your needs.
This page presents factual information sourced from publicly available vendor documentation and product pages. AIHub does not endorse either product. The right tool depends on your specific use case, team, and requirements — we recommend evaluating both tools directly before making a decision.
Side-by-Side Overview
Pricing Model
Cline
FreemiumWindsurf
FreemiumAPI Access
Cline
Not availableWindsurf
Not availablePlatforms
Cline
VS Code Extension, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code forksWindsurf
macOS, Windows, Linux, VS Code ExtensionIntegrations
Cline
7 integrationsWindsurf
4 integrationsVendor
Cline
ClineWindsurf
CodeiumCategory
Cline
Code AssistanceWindsurf
Code AssistanceLaunch
Cline
Jul 2024 (as Claude Dev); renamed Cline 2024Windsurf
Nov 2024Models
Cline
Claude Opus 4.8, Claude Sonnet 4.6Windsurf
Claude Sonnet 3.7/4, GPT-4o| Feature | Cline | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| API Access | Not available | Not available |
| Platforms | VS Code Extension, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code forks | macOS, Windows, Linux, VS Code Extension |
| Integrations | 7 integrations | 4 integrations |
| Vendor | Cline | Codeium |
| Category | Code Assistance | Code Assistance |
| Launch | Jul 2024 (as Claude Dev); renamed Cline 2024 | Nov 2024 |
| Models | Claude Opus 4.8, Claude Sonnet 4.6 | Claude Sonnet 3.7/4, GPT-4o |
About Cline
Cline (formerly Claude Dev) is an open-source AI coding agent that runs as a VS Code extension. It can read and edit files, execute terminal commands, use the browser, and complete multi-step engineering tasks autonomously with human-in-the-loop approval for every action. It supports any model via API (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, OpenRouter, Ollama) and pioneered the 'Plan/Act' agent workflow now widely copied.
Designed For
- Autonomous feature development
- Multi-file refactoring
- Terminal command automation
- Bug fixing
About Windsurf
Windsurf is an agentic IDE from Codeium that goes beyond autocomplete. Its Cascade agent can write, debug, and refactor entire features autonomously across your codebase, maintaining context through 'Flows' that understand your full project state. Available as a standalone IDE (VS Code fork) and as a plugin.
Designed For
- Autonomous feature development
- Codebase-wide refactoring
- Bug fixing
- Test generation
Strengths & Limitations
Cline
Strengths
- Fully open-source (Apache 2.0)
- Bring your own API key / model
- Approve every file edit and command
- MCP server support
- Works with local models via Ollama
Limitations
- API token costs can add up
- Requires VS Code
- Less polished than Cursor UI
- Model quality depends on chosen provider
Windsurf
Strengths
- Cascade agentic mode
- Full codebase context
- Free tier available
- Fast and accurate
- OpenAI / Claude model choice
Limitations
- Less mature than Cursor
- Cascade can be unpredictable
- Requires IDE switch
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Cline and Windsurf?
Cline is open-source autonomous coding agent living in your vs code editor, while Windsurf is the agentic ide by codeium that codes alongside you autonomously. Cline is designed for Developers wanting open-source agents, Teams avoiding vendor lock-in; Windsurf is designed for Developers wanting agentic coding, Teams doing large refactors. The right fit depends on your specific requirements.
How do the pricing models compare?
Cline is available under a Freemium model. Windsurf is available under a Freemium model. Cline's entry tier starts at $0. Windsurf's entry tier starts at $0/mo. Always verify pricing on each vendor's official website as it may change.
What integrations does each tool support?
Cline integrates with Anthropic API, OpenAI API, Google Gemini, OpenRouter. Windsurf integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, VS Code extensions. Check each vendor's documentation for the full and current list.
How do I choose between Cline and Windsurf?
Consider your team's technical requirements, budget, existing tooling, and use case before deciding. We recommend signing up for free trials or demos of both tools where available, and consulting each vendor's documentation. AIHub provides this comparison for informational purposes only.
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Data sourced from public vendor documentation. Pricing, features, and availability may change. Always verify on official vendor websites before making purchasing decisions. AIHub is not affiliated with any of the listed vendors.