Kilo Code vs Cline (2026)
Head-to-head comparison for vibe coders: scores, free tiers, pricing and best-for, using the same evidence-based methodology. Rankings are never for sale.
Open-source coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and the CLI, with free models and 500+ paid ones at provider rates
Open-source coding agent for VS Code
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Kilo Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 83/100 | 81/100 |
| Free tier | Yes: the extensions and CLI are free, and Auto Free routes to free models through Kilo Gateway where available | Yes: the full open-source extension is free for individuals |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Free for individuals (inference billed separately: free models, BYOK, local models, or Kilo Gateway at exact provider rates with a 5% fee on credit purchases); Kilo Pass from $19/mo with up to 50% bonus credits; Teams $15/user/mo; Enterprise custom. Cloud agents from $0.60/hr, code review $0.33/hr, billed per second | Free extension; pay only for model inference (BYOK or Cline provider). Enterprise: custom |
| Best for | Developers who want a free, model-agnostic agent in VS Code or JetBrains and an easy way to try free models before paying for inference | Developers who want a free, model-agnostic agent inside VS Code |
| Category | AI coding editors & agents | AI coding editors & agents |
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Kilo Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Fit for the use case /25 | 21 | 20 |
| Vibe-coder friendliness /15 | 11 | 10 |
| Output quality & reliability /15 | 12 | 12 |
| Pricing & free tier /15 | 13 | 13 |
| Ecosystem & integrations /10 | 8 | 8 |
| Momentum /10 | 9 | 8 |
| Code ownership & lock-in /10 | 9 | 10 |
Based on desk research of official pricing pages and docs; see methodology.
How they differ
Both are open-source agents that run inside VS Code and let you pick any model. Kilo Code (MIT) also ships JetBrains and CLI versions, optional cloud agents and a PR reviewer, and its own Kilo Gateway with 500+ models at provider rates. Cline focuses on VS Code and the CLI, with your own API keys or Cline’s provider at cost.
What you pay
Both extensions are free for individuals, and you pay only for inference. Kilo adds an Auto Free option that routes to free models where available, a 5% fee when you buy gateway credits, an optional Kilo Pass from $19/mo with up to 50% bonus credits, and Teams at $15/user/mo. Cloud agents are billed per second from $0.60/hr. Cline’s Enterprise plan is custom.
Which to pick
Kilo Code if you use JetBrains, want free models to start, or want one bill across many model providers. Cline if you live in VS Code and prefer to bring your own keys with no extra platform.
Who wins: Kilo Code or Cline?
By score, Kilo Code wins Kilo Code vs Cline at 83/100 vs 81/100. Kilo Code: MIT-licensed with ~27.6k GitHub stars and very active development, it covers VS Code, JetBrains and the CLI and can be used at $0 with free or local models. Inference is billed separately, so costs depend on the models you pick, and the many pricing parts (gateway, Pass, cloud compute) take a minute to understand. Cline: Free, open source and model-agnostic, so no lock-in. You manage API keys and costs yourself, which makes it less friendly for non-coders. Kilo Code is best for Developers who want a free, model-agnostic agent in VS Code or JetBrains and an easy way to try free models before paying for inference. Cline is best for Developers who want a free, model-agnostic agent inside VS Code.
FAQ
- Which is better, Kilo Code or Cline?
- By our score, Kilo Code (83/100) ranks above Cline (81/100). Kilo Code is best for Developers who want a free, model-agnostic agent in VS Code or JetBrains and an easy way to try free models before paying for inference. The right pick still depends on your workflow; see the side-by-side table.
- What is the Kilo Code vs Cline score?
- Kilo Code scores 83/100 and Cline scores 81/100 on PromptToProd's evidence-based ranking. Scores are never for sale.
- Is Kilo Code free?
- Yes for individuals: the VS Code, JetBrains and CLI extensions are free and open source. You pay only for the models you use, and you can stay at $0 with free or local models.
- What happened to Roo Code?
- Roo Code’s open-source extension repository on GitHub was archived on May 15, 2026, and the team now focuses on Roomote, a cloud agent from $49/mo after a 7-day trial. Kilo Code publishes a migration guide for Roo Code users.