Cline — Cursor alternative

Cline is an autonomous coding agent right in your IDE, capable of creating/editing files, executing commands, using the browser, and more with your permission every step of the way. It features dual Plan/Act modes, allowing developers to strategize and execute coding actions efficiently. Solo developers prefer it for its transparent token-based pricing model and complete control over AI models. Cline runs entirely on your machine and uses your API keys directly. Your code never passes through our servers.

Strengths

• Free and open source with no markups, subscriptions, or hidden costs
• Supports multiple API providers like OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, Azure, GCP Vertex, Cerebras and Groq
• Can configure any OpenAI compatible API or use local models through LM Studio/Ollama
• Complete privacy with local execution and direct API key usage
• Maintains project context and utilizes Model Context Protocol (MCP) to extend capabilities
• True coding agent that can plan tasks, browse files, open terminals, run commands, and edit code across workspace

Weaknesses

• Can be expensive with pay-per-token pricing, potentially costing $20+ in single evening sessions
• Requires manual API key management and provider configuration
• Limited to Visual Studio Code IDE only
• No built-in subscription model for cost predictability

Best for

Developers who want maximum control over AI models, prioritize privacy, and prefer transparent token-based pricing over subscription fees.

Pricing plans

• Free — $0/month — Open source extension, pay only for API usage at provider rates
• No subscription plans — Token costs vary by chosen AI provider

Tech details

• Type: VS Code extension / autonomous coding agent
• IDEs: Visual Studio Code only
• Key features: Plan/Act modes, file creation/editing, terminal command execution, browser integration, MCP support
• Privacy / hosting: Self-hosted on user's machine, direct API key usage, code never passes through Cline servers
• Models / context window: Supports Claude (Anthropic), OpenAI, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, and local models via LM Studio/Ollama, context varies by chosen model

When to choose this over Cursor

• You want complete transparency in AI model costs and usage
• You control the model selection and costs while keeping code local
• You prefer open-source solutions with no vendor lock-in

When Cursor may be a better fit

• You prefer predictable subscription pricing over variable token costs
• You need multi-IDE support beyond VS Code
• You want a more streamlined setup without API key management

Conclusion

Cline stands out among Cursor alternatives for developers seeking maximum control and transparency. As an open-source AI coding agent, it gives direct access to frontier models with complete transparency, Plan Mode, MCP integration, and zero vendor lock-in. While token costs can accumulate quickly during intensive sessions, the platform's flexibility and privacy-first approach make it compelling for developers who prioritize these values over predictable subscription pricing.

Sources

• Official site: https://cline.bot/
• Pricing: https://cline.bot/