Cline vs Roo Code
Two of the most-asked-about agents in the coding space. Here's how they actually stack up.
Cline
Open-source autonomous coding agent that runs in VS Code with full visibility
Free
Read full review →Roo Code
Open-source VS Code coding agent with custom modes and multi-agent orchestration, forked from Cline
Free
Read full review →Side-by-side comparison
| Cline | Roo Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Open-source autonomous coding agent that runs in VS Code with full visibility | Open-source VS Code coding agent with custom modes and multi-agent orchestration, forked from Cline |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Categories | coding, vscode-extension, autonomous | coding, ide-extension, open-source |
| Made by | Cline | Roo Code Inc |
| Launched | 2024-07 | 2024-09 |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Status | active | active |
Cline highlights
- + Step-by-step transparency with explicit approval for every file write and command
- + Bring-your-own-key support for Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Mistral, and local models
- + MCP (Model Context Protocol) client for connecting custom tools and data sources
- + Browser and computer use for web research and UI testing
- + Plan mode for reviewing the agent's strategy before it touches a single file
Roo Code highlights
- + Custom modes to define specialized agent personas for different task types
- + Multi-agent orchestration with a boomerang pattern for parallel workloads
- + Bring-your-own-key support for all major AI providers
- + Full VS Code extension with inline diffs and terminal access
- + MCP (Model Context Protocol) client for tool integrations
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cline or Roo Code?
Neither is universally better. Cline (Free) leans into coding, while Roo Code (Free) is closer to coding. Pick based on which workflow you actually do every day.
What is the price difference between Cline and Roo Code?
Cline is free. Roo Code is free. See the pricing row in the comparison table.
Can I use Cline and Roo Code together?
In most cases, yes. They serve overlapping but distinct needs, so running them side by side is common until you decide which fits your workflow.