Cline vs Windsurf: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
Compare features, pricing, reviews, and more to make an informed decision
Cline
Cline is a free, open-source AI coding assistant for VS Code that helps developers create, edit files and execute commands autonomously.
Windsurf
Windsurf is an AI-powered code editor with Cascade agent that codes, debugs, and thinks ahead for developers.
Cline
Cline is a free, open-source AI coding assistant for VS Code that helps developers create, edit files and execute commands autonomously.
Windsurf
Windsurf is an AI-powered code editor with Cascade agent that codes, debugs, and thinks ahead for developers.
Cline
Plan and Act modes for strategic coding
Autonomous file creation and editing
Terminal command execution
Browser testing and debugging
Multi-model AI support (Claude, GPT-4, Gemini)
Bring your own API keys
Open source and transparent
Real-time cost tracking
Checkpoint and version control
MCP server integration
Team collaboration features
Works with VS Code and JetBrains
Enterprise security ready
Windsurf
AI Cascade agent for intelligent coding assistance
Multi-model AI support (GPT-4, Claude, Gemini)
Advanced autocomplete with Windsurf Tab
Built-in terminal and command execution
Image-to-code generation capabilities
Live app preview and deployment
VS Code compatibility with extension support
Memory system for project-specific learning
Automatic lint fixing and error detection
Team collaboration and management tools
Cline
Cline offers flexible pricing options designed for individual developers, teams, and enterprises.
The Open Source version is completely free for individual developers. Install the extension and bring your own API keys from any provider. You get unlimited usage with no vendor restrictions and full community support. Pay only for the AI model usage directly to your chosen provider.
Open Source Teams is free for small teams of 1-10 people. This includes basic admin dashboard features, user-level spending controls, and the ability to add team members. You still bring your own keys and pay only for AI usage.
Cline Teams costs $30 per user monthly or $300 annually. This plan includes custom MCP libraries, team workspace settings, advanced admin controls, priority support, and enterprise-grade security. It also offers VPC deployment options for organizations with strict compliance requirements.
For larger enterprises, Cline provides custom solutions with self-hosted deployment options coming soon.
Windsurf
Windsurf offers flexible pricing plans designed for individual developers, teams, and enterprises. The platform uses a credit-based system where each AI interaction consumes prompt credits.
Free Plan: Perfect for trying out Windsurf with 25 prompt credits monthly, unlimited Windsurf Tab autocomplete, app previews, and a 2-week Pro trial.
Pro Plan ($15/month): Ideal for serious developers with 500 prompt credits monthly, access to all premium AI models including the exclusive SWE-1 model, additional credits available at $10 for 250 credits, and 5 app deployments daily.
Teams Plan ($30/user/month): Built for collaborative development with 500 credits per user monthly, centralized billing, admin dashboard with analytics, priority support, and automated data retention controls.
Enterprise Plans ($60+/user/month): Comprehensive solution with 1,000+ credits per user, role-based access control, single sign-on, dedicated support, and volume discounts for larger organizations exceeding 200 users.
