Cline CLI 2.0 vs Kite: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Cline CLI 2.0 and Kite comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cline CLI 2.0
AI coding agents from your terminal for autonomous and interactive development workflows.
Best for you if:
- • AI coding agents in your terminal for autonomous and interactive development.
- • Extensible and open-source, supporting custom tools and model providers.
Kite
An AI-powered coding assistant designed to help developers write code faster.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Kite was an AI-powered coding assistant for developers.
- • It aimed to accelerate coding with intelligent completions.
| At a Glance |  Cline CLI 2.0 |  Kite |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | —/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Cline CLI 2.0 | Kite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 147 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAI Coding | IDE & Code EditorsAI Coding |
How Cline CLI 2.0 and Kite Compare
Cline CLI 2.0
AI coding agents from your terminal for autonomous and interactive development workflows.
Free tier available
Kite
An AI-powered coding assistant designed to help developers write code faster.
Free
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Kite is free. Cline CLI 2.0 is freemium.
Go with: Kite
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has been rated yet.
Go with: Cline CLI 2.0
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cline CLI 2.0
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cline CLI 2.0 is freemium. Kite is free. Go with Kite if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Cline CLI 2.0
- More community upvotes (147)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Kite
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Cline CLI 2.0 is our pick. That said, Kite is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cline CLI 2.0 or Kite better?
Cline CLI 2.0 scores high/100 in our evaluation. Cline CLI 2.0 is freemium and Kite is free.
What are Cline CLI 2.0 and Kite used for?
Cline CLI 2.0: AI coding agents from your terminal for autonomous and interactive development workflows.. Kite: An AI-powered coding assistant designed to help developers write code faster..
What does Cline CLI 2.0 cost vs Kite?
Cline CLI 2.0 is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Kite is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.