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Cline vs Cursor

Cline is a free, open-source agent you add to your editor; Cursor is a full AI-first editor with its own plans. Cline gives you control over models and cost; Cursor gives you one polished product.

At a glance

FactClineCursor
Made byClineAnysphere (part of SpaceX)
What it isAn open-source coding agent that lives in your editor.An AI-first code editor with a built-in coding agent.
PriceFree and open source; you pay for model usageFree plan, paid from $8/month
Runs onmacOS, Windows, Linux, CLImacOS, Windows, Linux, Web, CLI, Slack, iOS
Open sourceYesNo
ModelsClaude, GPT, Gemini, OllamaComposer
Last verifiedOctober 14, 2026October 14, 2026
Official sitecline.botcursor.com

Where they differ

  • Price: Cline is free (you pay for model usage); Cursor has a free plan and paid plans from $8/month.
  • Shape: Cline lives in your editor and CLI; Cursor is the editor.
  • Open source: Cline is; Cursor isn't.

Which to pick

Choose Cline if you want to pick your own models, including local ones.

Choose Cursor if you want everything in one editor with cloud agents and code reviews.

Keep looking

Facts from each maker's official pages, last verified October 14, 2026. How we verify.