Cline vs 
Roo Code
Cline vs Roo Code compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Autonomous coding agent in VS Code vs Customizable agentic coder (Cline fork).
Updated regularly · curated by olud.ai
Cline vs Roo Code at a glance
| Spec | Cline | Roo Code |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Coding assistant | Coding assistant |
| Type | IDE agent | IDE agent |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Runs locally | Cloud-optional | Cloud-optional |
| Primary language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Ease of use | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Best for | developers who want an agentic, multi-step coder | developers who want custom agent modes |
| GitHub stars | 64.9k | — |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Cline | Roo Code |
|---|---|---|
| Autocomplete | ✗ | ✗ |
| Chat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Agent mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local models | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-IDE | ✗ | ✗ |
| Self-hostable | ✗ | ✗ |
How Cline and Roo Code score
| Criterion | Cline | Roo Code |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 4.5 | n/a |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | n/a |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| License freedom | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
Cline
Cline is an autonomous coding agent for VS Code that can plan, edit files, run commands and use the browser, with your approval at each step.
- Agentic: plans, edits, runs commands, browses
- Human-in-the-loop approval for safety
- Works with many model providers
Roo Code
Roo Code is an agentic coding assistant for VS Code (a feature-rich Cline fork) with custom modes, prompts and tooling for tailored workflows.
- Custom modes and prompts for tailored workflows
- Agentic editing with approvals
- Active, fast-moving development
Key differences
Cline is iDE agent, while Roo Code is iDE agent. In short, Cline fits developers who want an agentic, multi-step coder, and Roo Code fits developers who want custom agent modes.
Which should you choose?
Choose Cline for developers who want an agentic, multi-step coder. Choose Roo Code for developers who want custom agent modes.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cline or Roo Code easier to use?
Both sit at a similar level (Intermediate). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.
Are Cline and Roo Code free?
Cline is free and open source (Apache-2.0), and Roo Code is free and open source (Apache-2.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run Cline and Roo Code locally?
Cline: cloud-optional · Roo Code: cloud-optional. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
Cline vs Roo Code — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose Cline for developers who want an agentic, multi-step coder. Choose Roo Code for developers who want custom agent modes.
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