Cline vs Windsurf
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Cline and Windsurf are credible AI coding tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Cline - Open-source autonomous coding agent for VS Code.
Windsurf - The agentic IDE.
Cline vs Windsurf: side by side
| Dimension | Cline | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | Free - $15/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Open source | Freemium |
| Best for | Developers, Power Users | Developers |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux | Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
Cline key facts
- Vendor
- Cline
- Pricing
- Open source - Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Best for
- Developers, Power Users
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, USA
Windsurf key facts
- Vendor
- Windsurf
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $15/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Best for
- Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Mountain View, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Cline better than Windsurf?
Neither is universally better - Cline edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cline or Windsurf cheaper?
Cline is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free. Cline starts at free; Windsurf starts at free - $15/mo.
Can Cline replace Windsurf?
Yes for most teams - both are AI coding tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.
Side-by-side software breakdowns and pricing changes - in your inbox monthly.