Cline vs Windsurf
Cline vs Windsurf: which to choose
Cline has the larger community with 64.0k GitHub stars against — for Windsurf, which usually means more integrations, examples and third-party help when you get stuck.
Both charge from day one, but Cline starts lower at $0/mo versus $15/mo for Windsurf.
Choose Cline if you lean toward agent and vscode; choose Windsurf if ai and editor matters more for your stack. All figures above are pulled from live GitHub and pricing data, not vendor marketing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cline or Windsurf better?▾
It depends on your priorities. Cline has 64.0k GitHub stars and uses a open-source pricing model, while Windsurf has — stars and uses a freemium model. Both offer a free plan so you can try each before committing.
Is Cline cheaper than Windsurf?▾
Cline starts at $0/mo while Windsurf starts at $15/mo. Cline has a free plan. Windsurf has a free plan.
What are the main differences between Cline and Windsurf?▾
Cline is tagged as agent, vscode, open-source while Windsurf is tagged as ai, editor, agent. Cline uses a open-source pricing model and has a community of 64.0k GitHub stars. Windsurf uses a freemium model.
Does Cline or Windsurf have a free plan?▾
Yes, both Cline and Windsurf offer a free plan.