Cline vs Kite: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Cline 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
Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.1/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • 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
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 |  Kite |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 81/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Cline | Kite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 81 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAI Coding | IDE & Code EditorsAI Coding |
How Cline and Kite Compare
Cline
Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code
Free tier available · 81/100 score
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 is freemium.
Go with: Kite
Want the highest-rated option?
Cline scores 81/100. Kite is unrated.
Go with: Cline
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cline
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cline 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
- Higher score: 81/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Kite
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Cline (81/100) is our pick. That said, Kite is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cline or Kite better?
Cline scores 81/100 in our evaluation. Cline is freemium and Kite is free.
What are Cline and Kite used for?
Cline: Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code. Kite: An AI-powered coding assistant designed to help developers write code faster..
What does Cline cost vs Kite?
Cline is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Kite is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.