Amp vs Cline
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
AI tool · Freemium
An agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits.
AI tool · Open source
An open-source autonomous coding agent for VS Code that plans, edits files and runs commands with your approval.
Our verdict
Amp is a hosted agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph that runs in the terminal and editors, aimed at heavy agent work and teams that share agent threads, with usage-based costs that can grow on long tasks. Cline is an open-source autonomous agent for VS Code that you point at your own model and API key, and it asks for approval before each action, so it suits people who want flexibility and step-by-step transparency. Both are coding agents, so the choice comes down to whether you want a managed, team-oriented tool or a free, bring-your-own-model extension.
Pick Amp if you do heavy agentic coding in the terminal or an editor and want shared agent threads for a team.
Pick Cline if you want an open-source agent inside VS Code, can supply your own model API key, and want to approve each step.
| Key difference | Amp | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Price model | Freemium; usage-based costs can be high on long tasks | Open source; you pay token costs on your own API key |
| Where it runs | CLI and VS Code extension | VS Code and JetBrains IDEs |
| Control over actions | Capable agent with subagents; less emphasis on per-step approval | Approval required for each action; plan and act modes |
| Model choice | Built to use frontier models without token limits | Works with any model provider you configure |
| Team features | Shared agent threads for teams | Focused on individual use; no shared threads listed |
Written with AI from both products' catalogue entries · updated 2026-10-29
Who each one is for
Choose Amp if you need…
- Heavy agentic coding
- Teams sharing agent threads
Choose Cline if you need…
- Bring-your-own-model agent in VS Code
- Transparent step-by-step agent work
Side-by-side
| Amp | Cline | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Coding · Coding agents | Coding · Coding agents |
| Price | Freemium | Open source |
| Platforms | CLI, VS Code | VS Code, JetBrains |
| Works with | VS Code, GitHub | VS Code, JetBrains |
| Hands-on tested by us | Not yet | Not yet |
| Last checked | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-29 |
What each one is
Amp
An agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits. Capable and opinionated. Usage-based costs can be high on long tasks.
Cline
An open-source autonomous coding agent for VS Code that plans, edits files and runs commands with your approval. Very flexible and transparent. Token costs on your own API key can climb fast.
Best for
Amp
- Heavy agentic coding
- Teams sharing agent threads
Cline
- Bring-your-own-model agent in VS Code
- Transparent step-by-step agent work
Strengths
Amp
- CLI and editor extension
- Shared threads
- Subagents
- Usage-based pricing
Cline
- Plan and act modes
- Approval for each action
- Any model provider
- MCP tools
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Amp or Cline?
Amp is a hosted agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph that runs in the terminal and editors, aimed at heavy agent work and teams that share agent threads, with usage-based costs that can grow on long tasks. Cline is an open-source autonomous agent for VS Code that you point at your own model and API key, and it asks for approval before each action, so it suits people who want flexibility and step-by-step transparency. Both are coding agents, so the choice comes down to whether you want a managed, team-oriented tool or a free, bring-your-own-model extension. Pick Amp if you do heavy agentic coding in the terminal or an editor and want shared agent threads for a team. Pick Cline if you want an open-source agent inside VS Code, can supply your own model API key, and want to approve each step.
What is the difference between Amp and Cline?
Amp: An agentic coding tool from Sourcegraph for the terminal and editors, built to use frontier models without token limits. Cline: An open-source autonomous coding agent for VS Code that plans, edits files and runs commands with your approval. Amp suits heavy agentic coding, while Cline suits bring-your-own-model agent in vs code.
Are Amp and Cline free?
Amp: Freemium. Cline: Open source.
What are other alternatives to Amp and Cline?
Other options people compare them with include Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenAI Codex, Aider, Devin.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.