Cline is an open-source agent that works in your editor and terminal. Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) is an AI code editor from Cognition. Its docs and pricing now live on Devin's sites, so older tutorials may not match.
The short version
| Cline | Devin Desktop | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Open-source coding agent | AI code editor |
| Where you work | VS Code and other editors, plus a CLI and desktop app | Its own editor |
| Open source | Yes (Apache 2.0) | No |
| Cost | Tool is free for individuals. You pay for model usage | Free plan (unlimited Tab completions and inline edits, light agent quota) plus paid plans |
| MCP servers | Yes | Yes (stdio, Streamable HTTP and SSE) |
| Project instructions | .clinerules (also reads AGENTS.md) | Reads AGENTS.md and imports older .windsurf/rules files |
Check cline.bot/pricing and Devin's pricing.
Key differences
Editor or add-on. Devin Desktop is the editor itself. Cline is a tool you add to one. Cline's own site even offers installs for Devin Desktop and Cursor.
Cost. Devin Desktop's free plan is simple to start. With Cline you pay for model usage, using your own API keys or Cline credits.
The rename. Tutorials written before the rename may not match what you see now.
Compatibility. Cline's rules docs say it also picks up .windsurfrules files, so projects set up before the rename carry over.
Who should pick what
- You want a free, visual place to try AI coding: Devin Desktop.
- You want open source and model choice: Cline.
Our verdict
Devin Desktop is the easier way in; Cline is the flexible, open-source option. For a similar comparison, see Cline vs Cursor.