Cline vs Roo Code
Cline (AI IDE, Free (open source) + API costs) vs Roo Code (AI IDE, Free (open source) + API costs): pricing, models, open-source status, benchmarks, and best use cases. See which AI coding agent is right for your workflow.
Cline
Roo Code
| Comparison | Cline | Roo Code |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI IDE | AI IDE |
| Type | VS Code extension | VS Code extension |
| Vendor | Community | Community |
| Pricing | Free (open source) + API costs | Free (open source) + API costs |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Models | Any (Claude, GPT, Gemini, local models) | Any (Claude, GPT, Gemini, local models) |
| Benchmarks | Not published | Not published |
| Best for | VS Code users who want a free, open-source agentic extension | VS Code users wanting Cline-style agents with more customization |
Cline is open source and best for vs code users who want a free, open-source agentic extension. Open-source autonomous coding extension for VS Code. Reads files, runs terminal commands, and edits code within your existing editor setup.
Roo Code is open source and best for vs code users wanting cline-style agents with more customization. Community fork of Cline with custom modes, orchestration, and workflow features. Open-source VS Code extension supporting any model.
Both tools are part of the 2026 AI coding agent landscape. The right choice depends on whether you need a AI IDE or a AI IDE, your budget, and which models you prefer. See the full list of coding agents on our coding agents page to compare more options.