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Devin vs Cline: Which Should You Choose in 2026?

Choosing between Devin and Cline 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:

Devin

AI software engineer by Cognition Labs

Best for you if:

  • • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.1/10)
  • Devin is an AI software engineer that can autonomously write, test, and deploy code
  • It handles complex engineering tasks from planning to implementation in a sandboxed environment

Cline

Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code

Best for you if:

  • • You want to try before committing
  • 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
At a Glance
DevinDevin
ClineCline
Price
PaidFree + Paid
Best For
IDE & Code EditorsIDE & Code Editors
Rating
85/10081/100
FeatureDevinCline
Pricing ModelPaidFreemium
Editorial Score
85
81
Community RatingNo ratings yetNo ratings yet
Total Reviews00
Community Upvotes
0
0
Categories
IDE & Code EditorsAI Coding
IDE & Code EditorsAI Coding

How Devin and Cline Compare

Devin

AI software engineer by Cognition Labs

Paid · 85/100 score

Cline

Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code

Free tier available · 81/100 score

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Cline has a free tier. Devin is paid only.

Go with: Cline

Want the highest-rated option?

Devin: 85/100. Cline: 81/100.

Go with: Devin

Value user reviews?

Neither has user reviews yet.

Go with: Devin

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Devin is paid. Cline is freemium. Cline lets you start free.

2

What's your use case?

Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.

3

How important are ratings?

Devin scores higher: 85/100 vs 81/100.

Key Takeaways

Devin

  • Higher score: 85/100 vs 81
  • Our pick for this comparison

Cline

  • Has a free tier

The Bottom Line

Devin (85/100) is our pick. Cline has a free tier if you want to test without paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Devin or Cline better?

Devin scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Devin is paid and Cline is freemium.

What are Devin and Cline used for?

Devin: AI software engineer by Cognition Labs. Cline: Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code.

What does Devin cost vs Cline?

Devin is a paid tool. Cline is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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