# Cline vs Cursor

> Cline: Open-source autonomous coding agent for your editor, terminal, and CI pipelines
> Cursor: AI coding agent and VS Code-based editor for multi-file edits and cloud agents

- Cline profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/cline
- Cursor profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/cursor
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/cline-vs-cursor
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

Cline and Cursor are both Coding AI tools. Cursor scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.7 vs 8.2 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Cline is available on VS Code Extension and JetBrains Plugin and offers an API. Only Cursor is available on Web and iOS.

### Choose Cline if

- You want a tool built for developers who want an open-source agent with a choice of model providers, human approval at each step, and extensibility through MCP servers.
- Open source under Apache 2.0, with a large public community of 250+ contributors.
- No subscription needed: pay only for inference, or bring your own API key.

### Choose Cursor if

- You want a tool built for Multi-file feature work, codebase-wide refactoring, delegating tasks to background agents, reviewing pull requests.
- Familiar VS Code-based editor with extension and keybinding support.
- Local and cloud agents that can run in parallel on multi-file tasks.

## Pricing

| | Cline | Cursor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Cline | Cursor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plan and Act Modes | Yes | Not listed |
| Multi-File Editing with Checkpoints | Yes | Not listed |
| Terminal and Browser Use | Yes | Not listed |
| Bring Your Own Model | Yes | Not listed |
| MCP Servers and Marketplace | Yes | Not listed |
| Rules Files | Yes | Not listed |
| Multi-Agent Teams and Scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| Headless and Chat Access | Yes | Not listed |
| SDK | Yes | Not listed |
| Agents | Not listed | Yes |
| Cloud agents | Not listed | Yes |
| Tab and inline edits | Not listed | Yes |
| Codebase indexing | Not listed | Yes |
| Model choice | Not listed | Yes |
| Bugbot code review | Not listed | Yes |
| CLI | Limited | Yes |
| Slack app and iOS app | Not listed | Yes |
| Marketplace and rules | Not listed | Yes |
| Privacy mode | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Cline | Cursor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | No | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | No | Yes |
| Android | No | No |
| API | Yes | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| VS Code Extension | Yes | No |
| JetBrains Plugin | Yes | No |
| CLI | Yes | Yes |

## Cline strengths

- Open source under Apache 2.0, with a large public community of 250+ contributors.
- No subscription needed: pay only for inference, or bring your own API key.
- Works with many model providers, including local models through Ollama and LM Studio.
- Approval at every step, plus checkpoints and undo, keeps changes reviewable.
- Available in VS Code, a desktop app, CLI, SDK and CI, so it fits several workflows.

## Cline limitations

- Costs depend on token usage and are not capped on the free plan, so heavy agentic sessions can be hard to predict.
- JetBrains support is listed as early access and as an Enterprise feature.
- Documentation does not state specific ClinePass token or request allowances.

## Cursor strengths

- Familiar VS Code-based editor with extension and keybinding support
- Local and cloud agents that can run in parallel on multi-file tasks
- Choice of models from several providers, including Cursor's own
- Covers editor, CLI, web, Slack, iOS and PR review in one product
- Privacy mode and SOC 2 and ISO certifications for team use

## Cursor limitations

- Third-party model usage is billed separately from the plan at API list price
- Pricing is bundled with Grok and uses weekly usage pools, which makes costs harder to predict
- No Android app, and the iOS app only controls local agents
- Indexing can be heavy on very large repositories

## FAQ

**Is Cline better than Cursor?**

It depends on your workflow. Cline is built for developers who want an open-source agent with a choice of model providers, human approval at each step, and extensibility through MCP servers. Cursor is built for Multi-file feature work, codebase-wide refactoring, delegating tasks to background agents, reviewing pull requests.

**What are the key feature differences between Cline and Cursor?**

Cline: Open-source autonomous coding agent for your editor, terminal, and CI pipelines. Cursor: AI coding agent and VS Code-based editor for multi-file edits and cloud agents. Cursor is rated 5.0/5 from 1 user review.

**Does Cline or Cursor have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Cline is freemium and Cursor is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Cline or Cursor?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.