Cline vs Dify: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Cline and Dify 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
Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code
Best for you if:
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Free open-source autonomous AI coding agent for VS Code (pay only for AI API)
- • Creates/edits files, runs terminal commands, and browses with user permission
Dify
Develop, deploy, and manage autonomous agents and RAG pipelines for AI applications.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.1/10)
- • You need ai agents features specifically
- • Build and deploy agentic AI workflows and RAG pipelines with a visual interface.
- • Integrates with various LLMs and offers unified knowledge management.
| At a Glance |  Cline |  Dify |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | AI Agents |
Rating | 81/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Cline | Dify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 81 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAI Coding | AI AgentsWorkflow Automation |
How Cline and Dify Compare
Cline
Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code
Free tier available · 81/100 score
Dify
Develop, deploy, and manage autonomous agents and RAG pipelines for AI applications.
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Cline is a ide & code editors tool. Dify is in ai agents.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Cline
Want the highest-rated option?
Cline: 81/100. Dify: 84/100.
Go with: Dify
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Dify
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Cline is a ide & code editors tool. Dify is in ai agents. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Dify scores higher: 84/100 vs 81/100.
Key Takeaways
Dify
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 81
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Cline
- Better fit for ide & code editors
The Bottom Line
Dify (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cline or Dify better?
Dify scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Cline and Dify used for?
Cline: Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code. Dify: Develop, deploy, and manage autonomous agents and RAG pipelines for AI applications..
What does Cline cost vs Dify?
Cline is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Dify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.