Quick Verdict: Aider vs Cline
Bottom Line
Both are free, open-source, and model-agnostic. Aider is the right choice if you want Git-native automation with automatic commits, architect mode, and a terminal-first workflow. Cline is the right choice if you want visual approval of every change, browser automation, native subagents, and a VS Code sidebar experience.
Feature Comparison: Aider vs Cline
| Feature | Aider | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Terminal CLI | VS Code sidebar extension |
| License | Apache 2.0 | Apache 2.0 |
| Auto Git commits | Yes, conventional commits | No (manual commit) |
| Change approval | Auto-apply (configurable) | Step-by-step approval |
| Repo mapping | Full codebase map | File context via mentions |
| Architect mode | Yes (two-model pipeline) | No (single model) |
| Subagents | Not available | Native subagents (v3.58) |
| Headless CI/CD | Not available | CLI 2.0 headless mode |
| Browser automation | Not available | Yes, built-in |
| Watch mode | Yes, file watching + IDE comments | Not applicable (runs in VS Code) |
| Voice input | Yes, voice-to-code | Not available |
| Platform support | Any terminal (macOS, Linux, Windows) | VS Code, Cursor, JetBrains, Zed, Neovim |
Git Integration and Workflow
Git is where these tools diverge most. Aider treats Git as a first-class citizen. Cline treats it as something the developer handles separately.
Aider: Git-Native by Design
Every AI change gets an automatic commit with a conventional commit message. Aider sends diffs and chat history to a weak model to generate commit messages. You can undo AI changes with standard git tools. Auto-testing runs your test suite and re-prompts the AI on failures.
Cline: Approval-First by Design
Every file change and terminal command requires explicit approval before execution. This gives maximum control but adds friction. Cline's Plan and Act architecture separates research (Plan mode) from execution (Act mode). No automatic Git commits.
Aider Watch Mode
Aider's watch mode bridges the terminal/IDE gap. It monitors your files for AI comments (like # AI: refactor this function) and responds automatically. You write comments in your editor, Aider picks them up, makes changes, and commits. This lets you use any editor while keeping Aider's Git automation.
Cline Plan and Act
Cline separates its workflow into two modes. Plan mode gathers information, analyzes your codebase, and develops a detailed approach. Act mode applies the plan by making actual code changes. This separation gives you a review checkpoint before any files get modified, which is valuable for unfamiliar codebases or risky changes.
Model Flexibility
Both tools support bring-your-own-key for nearly every major LLM provider. The differences are in how they use multiple models.
| Provider | Aider | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropic (Claude) | Yes | Yes |
| OpenAI (GPT) | Yes | Yes |
| Google (Gemini) | Yes | Yes |
| DeepSeek | Yes | Via OpenRouter |
| AWS Bedrock | Via LiteLLM | Yes, native |
| Azure OpenAI | Yes | Yes |
| GCP Vertex | Via LiteLLM | Yes, native |
| Local models (Ollama) | Yes | Yes (also LM Studio) |
| OpenRouter | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-model pipelines | Architect mode (two models) | Single model per task |
Aider Architect Mode
Aider's architect mode is its most distinctive feature. It sends your request to an "architect" model (typically a stronger, more expensive one like Opus) that proposes how to solve the problem. Then it sends that proposal to an "editor" model (a cheaper one like Haiku) that translates the proposal into specific file edits. This gives you high-quality reasoning at lower cost.
Agent Capabilities
Cline Subagents (v3.58)
Cline shipped native subagents in February 2026. You can spin up parallel agents that each get their own context window. Intermediate exploration stays contained, and only the final result flows back. Paired with auto-approval, this enables fully autonomous multi-threaded workflows.
Cline CLI 2.0
Released February 13, 2026, CLI 2.0 rebuilds Cline for the terminal with parallel execution, headless CI/CD mode, and ACP (Agent Client Protocol) editor support. This makes Cline competitive with terminal-native tools like Aider while keeping its VS Code roots. A free Kimi K2.5 model comes bundled.
Aider: Mature but No Subagents
Aider does not have subagents or parallel execution. It runs one conversation at a time. Its strength is reliability and maturity: 40K+ GitHub stars, 15 billion tokens processed per week, and a well-tested codebase. For straightforward pair programming, Aider's single-threaded model is simpler and more predictable.
Key Difference
If you need parallel execution across tasks, Cline now has native subagents and headless CI/CD. If you need reliable, predictable pair programming with deep Git integration, Aider's single-agent model is simpler and more battle-tested.
Pricing
Both tools are free. You pay your LLM provider. The total cost depends on which models you use and how much you code.
| Item | Aider | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Tool cost | Free (Apache 2.0) | Free (Apache 2.0) |
| Typical monthly API cost | $30-80 (heavy use) | $30-80 (heavy use) |
| Cheapest option | Local models via Ollama ($0) | Local models via Ollama/LM Studio ($0) |
| Best value model | DeepSeek V3 (~$5-15/mo) | DeepSeek V3 via OpenRouter (~$5-15/mo) |
| Teams pricing | N/A (individual tool) | Free through Q1 2026, then $20/mo (first 10 seats free) |
Aider's architect mode can reduce costs by using a cheaper editor model for the mechanical work. If your architect model is Claude Opus and your editor model is Haiku, you get Opus-quality reasoning at a fraction of the cost of running Opus for every token.
When Aider Wins
Git-Heavy Workflows
Automatic conventional commits, automatic test running, undo via git tools. If your workflow revolves around Git, Aider's deep integration is unmatched. Every AI change is a clean, reversible commit.
Terminal Purists
If you prefer Vim, Emacs, or Neovim and want to keep your editor, Aider runs in any terminal. Watch mode bridges the gap so you never need to leave your editor.
Cost Optimization
Architect mode splits reasoning (expensive model) from editing (cheap model). This reduces your API bill without sacrificing quality on complex tasks.
Maturity and Stability
40K+ stars, 4.1M+ installs, 15B tokens/week. Aider is battle-tested. If you need reliability over cutting-edge features, it has the longer track record.
When Cline Wins
VS Code Users
If VS Code is your primary editor, Cline runs as a native sidebar extension. No context switch to a terminal. Visual diffs, step-by-step approval, and tight editor integration.
Parallel Execution
Native subagents (v3.58) and CLI 2.0 give Cline parallel task execution. Each subagent gets its own context window. Aider has no equivalent.
CI/CD Pipelines
CLI 2.0 headless mode lets you run Cline agents in CI/CD without an editor. Automated code generation, testing, and review in your deployment pipeline.
Safety-Critical Changes
Cline's approve-everything model means no surprise file changes or command execution. Plan mode lets you review the AI's approach before it touches anything. Better for unfamiliar or risky codebases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aider or Cline better for coding?
Aider is better for terminal-first developers who want Git-native automation. Cline is better for VS Code users who want visual approval and parallel subagents. Both are free and model-agnostic. See our Claude Code alternatives guide for how they compare to commercial tools.
Are Aider and Cline free?
Both are completely free and open-source under Apache 2.0. You pay your LLM provider for API usage. Typical monthly cost for heavy use is $30-80 regardless of which tool you choose. You can also run local models via Ollama at zero API cost.
What models work best with Aider?
Aider's own leaderboard shows Claude Sonnet and Opus models performing best, followed by GPT-4o and DeepSeek V3. In architect mode, pairing Opus (architect) with Haiku (editor) gives strong results at lower cost.
Can Cline work in the terminal?
Yes, since February 2026. Cline CLI 2.0 is a full terminal rebuild with parallel execution and headless CI/CD mode. It also supports ACP (Agent Client Protocol) for broader editor compatibility. This makes Cline competitive in Aider's core territory.
Does Aider have subagents?
No. Aider runs one conversation at a time. Cline shipped native subagents in v3.58 (February 2026) with dedicated context windows per agent. If parallel execution matters to your workflow, Cline has this advantage.
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