Both tools can read your project, edit files and run commands from a plain-English request. Cline is open source and works in your editor (and terminal) with whichever AI provider you choose. Claude Code is Anthropic's agent, made to work with Claude models.
The short version
| Cline | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Cline Bot Inc. (open source) | Anthropic |
| Where you work | VS Code and other editors, plus a CLI and desktop app | Terminal (plus IDE and desktop integrations) |
| Open source | Yes (Apache 2.0) | No |
| AI models | Your choice of provider | Claude models |
| Cost | Tool is free for individuals. You pay for model usage | Needs a paid Claude plan, Console credits or a cloud provider. No free plan |
| MCP servers | Yes | Yes |
| Project instructions | .clinerules (also reads AGENTS.md) | CLAUDE.md, plus skills |
Prices change. See cline.bot/pricing and Anthropic's pricing page.
How they feel to use
Cline usually sits in a side panel of your editor. You can start in Plan mode to agree a strategy, then switch to Act mode. By default each file edit and terminal command needs your approval, and checkpoints let you undo its work.
Claude Code is a conversation in a terminal. It reads files, proposes edits and asks permission before it runs commands. There's no editor to learn, but the terminal can feel unfamiliar at first.
Cline also has a command-line version, installed with npm i -g cline, so it isn't limited to editors.
Where Cline is stronger
- Provider freedom. Cline's README lists Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, OpenRouter, local models and more. You can even use it with Claude models through your own API key.
- Open source. You can read and audit the code.
- A visual start. Seeing changes inside your editor is friendlier for many beginners.
Where Claude Code is stronger
- Built-in extras. Skills, hooks, subagents and
CLAUDE.mdproject memory are all first-class features. - One vendor, one setup. The agent and the models come from the same company.
- Works with any editor. Because it runs in the terminal, you keep whichever editor you like.
What they share
Both support MCP (Model Context Protocol, a standard way to plug in extra tools like GitHub or a browser). Both ask for approval before changes by default, and both let you write standing instructions the AI reads each session.
Who should pick what
- You want to choose or switch AI providers: Cline.
- You want skills, hooks and subagents: Claude Code.
- You like working inside VS Code: Cline.
- You already live in the terminal: Claude Code.
Whichever you pick, set up a safety net first. See our git safety net guide.
Our verdict
Cline is the flexible, open-source option that works with many AI providers. Claude Code is the more tightly integrated one. To get started with Claude Code, try installing it and making a first change. For a related editor comparison, see Claude Code vs Cursor.