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Free Cline alternatives

Top AI Coding Assistants like Cline

The most popular alternative to Cline is Continue, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Cline are Aider, Cursor, Windsurf, and GitHub Copilot.

Most alternatives to Cline are in the AI Coding Assistants category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Cline alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
6 apps

All Cline alternatives

  1. Continue

    36.2Kstars

    Continue is an open source extension for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs that adds AI chat, autocomplete, inline edits and an agent mode. Its main appeal is flexibility: you choose the models, from commercial APIs to local models through Ollama, and add rules, prompts and context providers that a team can share. With local models, code never has to leave your machine.

    9 Continue alternatives

    Pros

    • Open source, with a free choice of models
    • Works with local models, so code can stay on your machine
    • Shared rules and prompts help teams standardize usage

    Cons

    • Setup takes more effort than turnkey assistants
    • Quality depends on the models you configure
    • Local models need capable hardware to run smoothly
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionOffline mode
    Visit websiteMore about Continue

  2. Aider

    49.5Kstars

    Aider is an open source command-line tool for pair programming with large language models. It maps your repository so the model understands the codebase, edits multiple files in place and commits each change to git with a descriptive message, which makes edits easy to review or undo. It works with models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek or local ones, accepts voice input and can lint and test after edits.

    8 Aider alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and open source, and works with any model, including local ones
    • Commits each change to git for easy review and rollback
    • Repository map gives the model context across the codebase

    Cons

    • Terminal-only workflow is less approachable than IDE tools
    • Model API costs are on you unless you run local models
    • Results depend heavily on the model you choose
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseGit integrationTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about Aider

  3. Cursor

    Cursor is a code editor from Anysphere, forked from VS Code, with AI integrated throughout the workflow. Its Tab model predicts multi-line edits, chat understands the whole codebase, and agent mode plans and applies changes across files while running terminal commands. Background agents can also work on tasks in the cloud. It stays compatible with VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings, and has a free Hobby plan.

    12 Cursor alternatives

    Pros

    • Tab completion predicts multi-line edits as you type
    • Agent mode applies changes across files and runs commands
    • Keeps VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings

    Cons

    • Request limits and usage-based billing can be confusing
    • As a VS Code fork, it can lag behind upstream updates
    • The free Hobby plan is quickly limiting for daily work
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding AssistantsCode Editors & IDEs
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionExtensions marketplaceTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about Cursor

  4. Windsurf

    Windsurf is an AI code editor based on VS Code, created by the team behind Codeium and now owned by Cognition, the company behind Devin. Its Cascade agent understands the codebase, edits multiple files, runs terminal commands and remembers project context, while Tab suggests next edits as you type. Plugins also bring its features to JetBrains IDEs and other editors. A free plan is available.

    12 Windsurf alternatives

    Pros

    • Cascade agent edits multiple files and runs commands
    • Remembers project context across sessions
    • Plugins bring its features to JetBrains and other editors

    Cons

    • Ownership changes have made its roadmap less predictable
    • Credit-based limits can run out with heavy use
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding AssistantsCode Editors & IDEs
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionExtensions marketplaceTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about Windsurf

  5. GitHub Copilot

    GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI coding assistant. It suggests code as you type and offers chat in editors such as VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, Xcode and Neovim, with a choice of models from several providers. Its coding agent can take a GitHub issue, work in the background and open a pull request, and Copilot also reviews pull requests and works in the terminal. A limited free plan is available.

    10 GitHub Copilot alternatives

    Pros

    • Works in many editors, from VS Code to Xcode and Neovim
    • Coding agent turns GitHub issues into pull requests
    • Choice of models from several providers

    Cons

    • The free plan has tight monthly limits
    • Premium requests can add extra costs on paid plans
    • Agent features assume your code is hosted on GitHub
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionIntegrationsTerminal integration
    Visit websiteMore about GitHub Copilot

  6. Gemini Code Assist

    Gemini Code Assist brings Google's Gemini models into VS Code and JetBrains IDEs for code completion, generation and chat that takes your local codebase into account. Agent mode can plan and carry out multi-step changes, and a GitHub app reviews pull requests. The individual edition is free, while Standard and Enterprise add Google Cloud integrations, private repository customization and admin controls.

    10 Gemini Code Assist alternatives

    Pros

    • Free edition for individual developers
    • GitHub app reviews pull requests automatically
    • Agent mode carries out multi-step changes

    Cons

    • Enterprise features are tied to Google Cloud
    • Supports fewer editors than some competing assistants
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    AI Coding Assistants
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Autonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseCode completionIntegrations
    Visit websiteMore about Gemini Code Assist

Cline vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Cline, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Cline vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAutonomous coding agentChat with your codebaseIntegrationsTerminal integration
ClineFreemiumOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
ContinueFreemiumOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
AiderFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
CursorFreemiumWindows, Mac, Linux
WindsurfFreemiumWindows, Mac, Linux
GitHub CopilotFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux

Cline alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Cline?

The most popular alternative to Cline is Continue: Open source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains, with any model. Other great alternatives are Aider, Cursor, Windsurf, and GitHub Copilot.

Is there a free alternative to Cline?

Yes, 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Continue, Aider, Cursor, and Windsurf.

Is there an open source alternative to Cline?

Yes, 2 open source alternatives are listed, including Continue and Aider.

Is Cline free?

Cline has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Cline with its alternatives

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