Overview
Cline and Windsurf are both AI Coding tools, but they take different approaches. Cline: Open-source AI coding agent that can edit files and run terminal commands. Windsurf: AI-powered code editor with agentic coding workflows.
Not every plan here is sold as a flat monthly price — check each official pricing page for current plans. Both offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Platform support also differs. Windsurf: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Which one fits depends on your workflow and budget. The table below lines up the verified facts, and the interactive comparison lets you put Cline, Windsurf, and any other tool side by side.
Side-by-side comparison
| Cline | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free | $20/month |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Pricing Type | Freemium | Freemium |
| Supported platforms | — | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Web | — | No |
| Mobile | — | No |
| API | — | No |
| Categories | AI Coding | AI Coding |
At a glance
Cline: strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Completely free to use
Cons
Choose Cline if…
- your use case matches: coding app for developers, AI code editor
Choose Windsurf if…
- its focus matches what you're building — see the overview above
Alternatives worth considering
Other tools in the same category.
GitHub's AI pair programmer for code completion inside your editor.
Best for Autocomplete inside your existing editor
An AI-first code editor built for pair-programming with AI.
Best for AI-first coding as your primary editor
Cloud coding platform with an AI agent that can build and deploy apps.
Best for build an app without coding
AI tool that builds full web apps from a text description.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Cline or Windsurf?
At least one of them doesn't sell a flat monthly plan, so there's no single number to compare — check both official pricing pages.
Do Cline and Windsurf have free plans?
Yes — both offer a free plan you can start with.
Do Cline and Windsurf offer free trials?
Neither lists a free trial.
Which is better, Cline or Windsurf?
There's no single answer — it depends on your use case and budget. Compare the verified facts above, then open the interactive comparison to line Cline and Windsurf up with any other tools you're considering.
Can I use Cline and Windsurf together?
Yes — nothing stops you from using both, and many people combine tools for different tasks. Add Cline and Windsurf to the AI stack builder to see what the combination costs per month.
What platforms do Cline and Windsurf run on?
Windsurf: Windows, macOS, Linux.
What are alternatives to Cline and Windsurf?
Popular alternatives include GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Replit, Lovable, Bolt — each has its own detail page on ToolScanner with verified pricing.
Where can I verify current pricing for Cline and Windsurf?
On each official website — providers change prices and plans at any time. ToolScanner shows the monthly-billing price as of our last verification, with the date on each tool's page.