Cursor vs Cline
Cursor
Quick Verdict
Cursor excels at ai-native development and code refactoring with a score of 94/100. Cursor delivers the most polished AI-native IDE experience, with seamless integration of frontier models directly into the editing workflow.
Cline
Quick Verdict
Cline excels at agentic automation and vs code users with a score of 79/100. Cline brings an agent workflow into VS Code, useful for semi-autonomous execution of tasks.
📊 Visual Score Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics across six evaluation criteria
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Cursor | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Core AI Model(s) | Supports frontier models including Claude Sonnet 4, OpenAI o3-pro, OpenAI GPT-4.1, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Claude Opus 4. It also utilizes custom, purpose-built models for features like its native autocomplete, 'Tab'. | Not specified |
| Context Window | The Pro plan provides access to maximum context windows. | Not specified |
| Deployment Options | Cursor is a downloadable desktop application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. For teams, it offers an Enterprise plan with SAML/OIDC SSO and SCIM seat management for centralized administration. | Not specified |
| Offline Mode | Cursor has offline capabilities. A GitHub repository provides a guide for offline activation, enabling all features to work without a cloud or login requirement in airgapped systems. However, some users have reported difficulty using agent mode specifically in an offline setting. | Not specified |
Core Features Comparison
Cursor Features
- AI-powered code completion and generation
- Multi-file code editing with AI chat
- Advanced code understanding and refactoring
- Integrated terminal and debugging tools
- Native Docker and deployment integration
- Multiple frontier model support (Claude, GPT-4, Gemini)
Cline Features
- Multi-step task execution with planning
- Editor-integrated agent actions
- Configurable tools and model backends
- Works within VS Code
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | Cursor | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing URL | View Cursor Pricing | View Cline Pricing |
| Overall Score | 94/100 | 79/100 |
| Best For | AI-Native Development, Code Refactoring, Multi-file Projects, Rapid Prototyping | Agentic Automation, VS Code Users, Task Decomposition |
Best Use Cases
Cursor Excels At
- Large-scale refactoring across multiple files with AI understanding the full codebase context
- Building complex features by describing functionality in natural language and letting AI generate the implementation
- Code reviews and debugging with AI analyzing relationships between files and suggesting improvements
Cline Excels At
- Automating routine coding tasks
- Executing structured, multi-step changes
- Rapid scaffolding and boilerplate generation
Performance & Integration
| Category | Cursor | Cline | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDE Support | Cursor is a standalone code editor that is a fork of VS Code. This allows users to import their existing VS Code extensions, themes, and keybindings with a single click. | Multiple IDEs supported | Tie |
| Community | Active community | Limited community | Tie |
| Data Richness | Comprehensive | Basic | Cursor |
| Overall Score | 94/100 | 79/100 | Cursor |
The Bottom Line
Both Cursor and Cline are capable AI coding tools, but they serve different needs. Cursor scores higher (94/100 vs 79/100) and excels in ai-native development and code refactoring. The choice depends on your specific workflow, team size, and technical requirements.
Choose Cursor if: you prioritize ai-native development and code refactoring and want the higher-rated option (94/100).
Choose Cline if: you prioritize agentic automation and vs code users and don't mind a slightly lower score for specialized features.