Cline is an open-source AI coding agent that performs coordinated multi-file changes with linter-aware fixes, diffs, checkpoints, and one-click undo on every step. It can also execute terminal commands and handle deployment-related tasks directly within the coding session.
Devin, built by Cognition, is marketed as an autonomous AI software engineer rather than a code-completion assistant. Given a task description, it plans the work, writes and edits code, runs tests, debugs failures, and can deploy the result inside its own sandboxed virtual machine that includes a shell, browser, and code editor. Unlike inline coding assistants that suggest snippets as a developer types, Devin is designed to work through an entire engineering task with minimal supervision, from initial architecture decisions to opening a pull request. Pricing has shifted from an initial enterprise-only offering to self-serve plans, letting individual developers and small teams try it starting at a low monthly cost.
- Open source with no lock-in on which model provider you use
- Multi-file agentic edits with visible diffs and easy one-click undo
- Wide IDE support beyond just VS Code, including JetBrains, Cursor, and Windsurf
- Large, active open-source community and contributor base
- Handles multi-step engineering tasks end-to-end rather than just suggesting individual lines of code.
- Runs in an isolated sandboxed environment, reducing risk to a developer's local machine.
- Entry-level Pro plan is inexpensive relative to the original enterprise pricing.
- Usage-based enterprise billing accommodates variable workloads.
- Requires bringing your own API key, adding setup complexity and separate model costs
- Output quality depends heavily on which underlying model you connect
- No single bundled price includes a managed model, unlike some closed competitors
- Autonomous agents can still make incorrect assumptions on ambiguous tasks, so output needs review before merging.
- Higher-usage plans (Max, Teams, Enterprise) can get expensive quickly for heavy usage.
- Best suited to well-scoped tasks; open-ended or highly ambiguous requests need more human guidance.
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Cline
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Alternatives to Devin
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Agent orchestration platform that runs code review, PR authoring, and incident response loops.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataCline offers an open‑source, model‑agnostic coding assistant that runs locally with broad IDE support, while Devin provides a managed, cloud‑based autonomous engineer that handles end‑to‑end task execution in a sandbox.
Key differences
- •Cline is desktop‑based, open source, and requires you to supply your own API keys; Devin is a SaaS cloud service with built‑in models.
- •Cline focuses on assisted multi‑file edits and terminal commands; Devin automates full task cycles (plan, code, test, PR).
- •Cline supports many IDEs (VS Code, JetBrains, Cursor, Windsurf); Devin operates via a web interface with no IDE plugins mentioned.
- •Cline’s cost depends on the external model you choose; Devin offers freemium tiers and paid per‑seat or usage‑based plans.
- •Cline gives visible diffs and one‑click undo; Devin runs code in an isolated sandbox, reducing local machine risk.
Pricing & value
Devin provides a freemium tier and low‑cost Pro plan; Cline is free but requires you to pay for external model usage.
Ease of use / learning curve
Devin runs in the cloud with no local setup; Cline needs API‑key configuration and IDE installation.
Features & depth
Devin automates planning, coding, testing, and PR creation; Cline assists with edits and terminal commands only.
Integrations & ecosystem
Cline integrates with VS Code, JetBrains, Cursor, Windsurf and multiple model providers; Devin lists no IDE integrations.
Collaboration
Devin can open pull requests and communicate progress to teams; Cline operates within a single developer’s IDE session.
Scalability
Devin’s cloud SaaS can scale via usage‑based enterprise billing; Cline runs locally, limited by the developer’s machine.
Security & privacy
Cline runs locally and lets you choose the model provider, keeping code on your machine; Devin executes code in a remote sandbox.
Choose Cline if…
Developers who want full control, open‑source code, and multi‑IDE support, and are comfortable managing API keys.
Choose Devin if…
Teams seeking an out‑of‑the‑box autonomous engineer that handles end‑to‑end tasks and integrates with version‑control workflows.
Common questions
Do I need to pay for a model when using Cline?
Yes, Cline requires you to bring your own API key for Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, or AWS Bedrock, incurring separate model costs.
Can Devin run code without affecting my local environment?
Yes, Devin executes code in an isolated cloud sandbox, reducing risk to your local machine.
Which tool supports more IDEs out of the box?
Cline supports VS Code, JetBrains, Cursor, and Windsurf; Devin does not list IDE integrations.