Side by side
Aider vs Cline
Both stand on ai code generation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
Aider brings repository-aware coding assistance, Git operations, and automated linting and testing into a free, open-source tool. Consider the one-repository limit, large-repository performance note, and potential provider charges.
Visit Aider
Free plan APIExtensionLinux+4
Cline combines editor-based coding help with agent actions, configurable approval, and cloud task execution. Its free plan has no subscription or seat fees, but individual AI inference is usage-based.
Visit ClineThe facts
| Aider | Cline | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | aider.chat | cline.bot |
| On ai code generation software | #1 of 27 | #4 of 27 |
Aider: what it does well
- Maps codebases to provide repository context.
- Supports more than 100 programming languages.
- Git tools support committing, reviewing, and undoing edits.
- Can run linters and tests after changes.
What to know first
- Works with only one Git repository at a time.
- Very large repositories are not optimized for quick responses.
- LLM provider usage may have separate costs.
Cline: what it does well
- Free Open Source plan includes community support.
- Supports code completion, chat, indexing, and terminal access.
- Offers coordinated multi-file edits with diffs and undo.
- Cloud agents support up to 10 concurrent sessions.
- Enterprise lists SSO and role-based access control.
What to know first
- Individual developers pay for AI inference based on usage.
- JetBrains support is marked Early Access.
- Desktop app is in beta.