# Cline vs OpenAI Codex

> Cline: Open-source autonomous coding agent for your editor, terminal, and CI pipelines
> OpenAI Codex: OpenAI's coding agent that writes, reviews and runs code from terminal, IDE, desktop or cloud

- Cline profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/cline
- OpenAI Codex profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/openai-codex
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/cline-vs-openai-codex
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Cline and OpenAI Codex are both Coding AI tools. OpenAI Codex scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.5 vs 8.2 out of 10), led by ease of use. Both have a free plan or trial. Only OpenAI Codex is available on Web.

### 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 OpenAI Codex if

- You want a tool built for delegating coding tasks to an agent.
- Included with ChatGPT plans, with a free tier and an $8 Go tier.
- Open-source CLI under the Apache-2.0 license.

## Pricing

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

## Features

| Feature | Cline | OpenAI Codex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| Codex CLI | Not listed | Yes |
| IDE extension | Not listed | Yes |
| Desktop app | Not listed | Yes |
| Cloud tasks | Not listed | Yes |
| Code review | Not listed | Yes |
| Non-interactive mode | Not listed | Yes |
| MCP, skills and plugins | Not listed | Yes |
| Subagents and web search | Not listed | Yes |
| Session resume and images | Not listed | Yes |
| Mobile remote control | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Cline | OpenAI Codex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | No | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | No | No |
| Android | No | No |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| VS Code Extension | Yes | Yes |
| JetBrains Plugin | Yes | Yes |
| 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.

## OpenAI Codex strengths

- Included with ChatGPT plans, with a free tier and an $8 Go tier
- Open-source CLI under the Apache-2.0 license
- Available in the terminal, VS Code-based editors, the ChatGPT desktop app and the cloud
- Supports MCP, skills, plugins and subagents
- API-key option lets teams pay at API rates instead of a subscription

## OpenAI Codex limitations

- Plus has message limits per five hours that vary widely by model
- Cloud features are not available on the API Key plan
- Higher usage needs Pro, which starts at $100 per month
- Free and Go plans offer only GPT-6 Luna in the desktop app

## FAQ

**Is Cline better than OpenAI Codex?**

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. OpenAI Codex is built for delegating coding tasks to an agent.

**What are the key feature differences between Cline and OpenAI Codex?**

Cline: Open-source autonomous coding agent for your editor, terminal, and CI pipelines. OpenAI Codex: OpenAI's coding agent that writes, reviews and runs code from terminal, IDE, desktop or cloud.

**Does Cline or OpenAI Codex have a free plan?**

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

**Which is cheaper, Cline or OpenAI Codex?**

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