Mentat vs Cline: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Mentat 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:
Mentat
AI coding assistant for terminal
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Mentat is an AI coding assistant that works within your terminal
- • It edits code across files using GPT-4 with context awareness
Cline
Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.1/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • 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
| At a Glance |  Mentat |  Cline |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 78/100 | 81/100 |
| Feature | Mentat | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 78 | 81 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools | IDE & Code EditorsAI Coding |
How Mentat and Cline Compare
Mentat
AI coding assistant for terminal
Free · 78/100 score
Cline
Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code
Free tier available · 81/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mentat is free. Cline is freemium.
Go with: Mentat
Want the highest-rated option?
Mentat: 78/100. Cline: 81/100.
Go with: Cline
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cline
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Mentat is free. Cline is freemium. Go with Mentat 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?
Cline scores higher: 81/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
Cline
- Higher score: 81/100 vs 78
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Mentat
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Cline (81/100) is our pick. That said, Mentat is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mentat or Cline better?
Cline scores 81/100 in our evaluation. Mentat is free and Cline is freemium.
What are Mentat and Cline used for?
Mentat: AI coding assistant for terminal. Cline: Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code.
What does Mentat cost vs Cline?
Mentat is completely free. Cline is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.