Roo Code vs Cline: AI Coding Extensions Battle 2026
By Serenities AI · February 23, 2026
Here's the reality most developers won't tell you: the battle for the best AI coding extension in 2026 isn't between Cursor and Copilot — it's between two open-source VS Code extensions that are quietly reshaping how developers write code. Roo Code, with its multi-mode agent system and cloud-based autonomous agents, goes head-to-head against Cline, the human-in-the-loop powerhouse with 58,200+ GitHub stars and a thriving MCP marketplace. Both are Apache 2.0 licensed. Both let you bring your own API keys. But they take fundamentally different approaches to AI-assisted development. This comparison breaks down every detail so you can pick the right one.
Quick Verdict: Roo Code vs Cline at a Glance
Don't have time to read 4,000+ words? Here's the short version:
| Criteria | Roo Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Teams wanting structured modes + cloud agents | Devs wanting full control with human-in-the-loop |
| GitHub Stars | 22,300+ | 58,200+ |
| License | Apache 2.0 | Apache 2.0 |
| IDE Support | VS Code | VS Code + JetBrains (Teams) |
| Pricing | Free extension + credits; Team $99/mo | Free open source; Teams $20/mo/user |
| Cloud Agents | ✅ Yes ($5/hour) | ❌ No (local only) |
| Modes | Code, Architect, Ask, Debug, Custom | Single agent mode |
| MCP Marketplace | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Bottom line: Choose Roo Code if you want a structured, multi-mode experience with cloud agents that work autonomously from GitHub. Choose Cline if you value a massive community, JetBrains support, and human-in-the-loop control over every action. Both are excellent — and both pair well with platforms like Serenities AI for a complete development workflow.
What Is Roo Code? The "Whole Dev Team" in Your Editor
Roo Code positions itself as a "whole dev team of AI agents in your code editor." It's not just an autocomplete tool or a chat sidebar — it's a multi-mode system that lets you switch between different agent personalities depending on what you need. Currently at version 3.50.4 (released February 21, 2026), Roo Code is one of the fastest-evolving AI coding extensions on the market.
The Mode System
What sets Roo Code apart from virtually every other AI coding extension is its mode system. Instead of a single, one-size-fits-all agent, Roo Code gives you five distinct modes:
- Code Mode: The default. Writes, edits, and refactors code directly in your files. Think of it as your AI pair programmer.
- Architect Mode: Steps back from implementation to help you plan. Generates system designs, discusses trade-offs, and maps out architecture before a single line is written.
- Ask Mode: A conversational mode for questions about your codebase, programming concepts, or debugging strategies — without making changes.
- Debug Mode: Specifically tuned for finding and fixing bugs. It analyzes error messages, traces through logic, and suggests targeted fixes.
- Custom Modes: Build your own agent personalities with custom instructions, constraints, and capabilities. This is where power users get creative.
This mode system is a genuine differentiator. When you're in Architect Mode, the agent won't start writing code prematurely. When you're in Debug Mode, it focuses on the problem rather than suggesting refactors. It creates a more intentional workflow than the "do everything" approach of most competitors.
Cloud Agents
Roo Code's Cloud Agents take things further by letting you spin up fully autonomous development agents that run in the cloud. These agents connect to your GitHub repositories and work independently — no VS Code session needed. At $5/hour for cloud agent time, this is aimed at teams that want to offload tasks like boilerplate generation, test writing, or dependency updates to an always-on AI agent.
AI Provider Flexibility
Roo Code supports its own curated router (Roo Code Router) with models from Gemini, GPT, and Claude, or you can bring your own API keys (BYOK). Credits are pre-paid in dollars with no markups on inference costs — a refreshingly transparent pricing model.
Additional features include codebase indexing, checkpoints for rolling back changes, context management, and token usage analytics so you know exactly what you're spending.
What Is Cline? The Human-in-the-Loop Pioneer
Cline (originally known as "Claude Dev") has become one of the most popular AI coding extensions in the world, with over 58,200 GitHub stars — nearly triple Roo Code's count. Currently at version 3.66.0, Cline takes a fundamentally different approach: it's an autonomous coding agent that still gives you the final say on every action.
Human-in-the-Loop Philosophy
Cline's core design principle is that AI should propose, but humans should approve. Every file creation, every edit, every terminal command — Cline asks for your confirmation before executing. This might sound slow, but it's actually a massive safety net. You never wake up to find that an autonomous agent has rewritten your authentication system at 3 AM.
This philosophy resonates with developers who've been burned by overly aggressive AI tools. You maintain full control while still getting the productivity benefits of an AI that understands your codebase, can read your terminal output, and even automate browser actions.
MCP Marketplace
One of Cline's strongest assets is its MCP (Model Context Protocol) Marketplace. While Roo Code supports MCP, Cline has built an entire ecosystem around it. The marketplace lets you discover, install, and manage MCP servers that extend Cline's capabilities — from database connections to API integrations to custom tooling. This makes Cline incredibly extensible without needing to write custom plugins from scratch.
Broad Provider Support
Cline supports an impressive range of AI providers: OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, Azure, GCP Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, DeepSeek, and more. Combined with BYOK support, you have enormous flexibility in choosing your AI backend — and you can optimize for cost, speed, or quality depending on the task.
Architecture & Privacy
Cline uses a client-side architecture, meaning your code stays local on your machine. It never passes through Cline's servers (when using BYOK). For developers working on proprietary codebases or in regulated industries, this is a critical advantage. The extension also supports multi-root workspaces, headless browser automation, and a CLI tool for terminal-based workflows.
If you're comparing Cline to other tools, check out our Cline vs Cursor 2026 comparison for a deeper look at how Cline stacks up against the popular AI-first editor.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison: Roo Code vs Cline
Let's break down the features that matter most to developers choosing between these two extensions.
| Feature | Roo Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Modes | 5 (Code, Architect, Ask, Debug, Custom) | Single mode |
| Cloud Agents | ✅ Autonomous from GitHub/web | ❌ Local only |
| Human-in-the-Loop | Optional | ✅ Core design principle |
| MCP Support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes + Marketplace |
| IDE Support | VS Code | VS Code + JetBrains (Teams) |
| Codebase Indexing | ✅ | — |
| Checkpoints | ✅ | — |
| Browser Automation | — | ✅ Headless |
| CLI Tool | — | ✅ |
| Multi-Root Workspaces | — | ✅ |
| Token Analytics | ✅ | — |
| Team Collaboration | ✅ Shared config, policies | ✅ Teams plan |
| Slack/Linear Integration | ✅ (Team plan) | — |
| BYOK | ✅ | ✅ |
| Client-Side Architecture | — | ✅ Code stays local |
Analysis: Modes vs. Flexibility
The feature comparison reveals two distinct philosophies. Roo Code bets on structure and specialization. By splitting functionality into modes, it reduces noise — you get a more focused AI response because the agent knows whether you're debugging, architecting, or writing code. Custom Modes take this even further, letting teams create specialized agents for things like code review, documentation, or security auditing.
Cline bets on flexibility and ecosystem. Its single-agent approach is simpler to understand, and the MCP Marketplace makes up for any missing built-in features by letting the community fill gaps. Need database integration? There's an MCP server for that. Need custom API testing? There's probably one for that too.
Cloud vs. Local: A Fundamental Divide
Perhaps the biggest architectural difference is Roo Code's Cloud Agents versus Cline's local-only approach. Roo Code's cloud agents can work autonomously — you assign a task from the web or GitHub, and the agent works independently in the cloud. This is powerful for teams that want to parallelize development work.
Cline's local-only approach means everything runs on your machine, through your IDE. Your code never leaves your environment (when using BYOK). For security-conscious teams or those in regulated industries, this isn't a limitation — it's a feature.
IDE Support: VS Code vs. JetBrains
Roo Code is currently VS Code only. Cline supports VS Code natively (open source) and JetBrains IDEs through its Teams plan. If your team uses IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, or any other JetBrains IDE, Cline is currently your only option between these two. This is a significant differentiator for enterprise teams that have standardized on JetBrains tooling.
MCP: Support vs. Marketplace
Both tools support the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which is quickly becoming the standard for extending AI coding assistants. But Cline goes a step further with its dedicated MCP Marketplace — a curated directory where you can discover and install MCP servers with a click. Roo Code supports MCP but doesn't offer a marketplace, meaning you'll need to find and configure MCP servers manually.
For context on how MCP fits into the broader AI coding landscape, see our Best Vibe Coding Tools 2026 guide.
Pricing Comparison: Roo Code vs Cline in 2026
Pricing for AI coding tools can be confusing because both Roo Code and Cline use hybrid models — a base subscription plus pay-as-you-go inference costs. Let's break it down clearly.
Roo Code Pricing
| Plan | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| VS Code Extension | Free | Full extension + inference costs (BYOK or Roo Provider credits) |
| Cloud Free | $0/month + credits | Cloud Agents at $5/hour; inference via credits or BYOK |
| Cloud Team | $99/month + credits | 14-day free trial, unlimited users (no per-seat cost), shared config & policies, Slack/Linear integrations |
Key pricing details for Roo Code:
- Credits are pre-paid in dollars and deducted with usage — no markups on inference.
- Cloud Agents cost $5/hour — which can add up quickly if you run them frequently.
- No per-seat pricing on the Team plan — $99/month covers unlimited users, which is exceptionally competitive for larger teams.
- You can use the Roo Code Router (curated models from Gemini, GPT, Claude) or BYOK.
Cline Pricing
| Plan | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | Free | Full extension for individuals; pay only for AI inference (BYOK) |
| Teams | $0/mo through Q1 2026, then $20/mo/user | First 10 seats always free; JetBrains support included |
| Enterprise | Custom | SSO, SLA, dedicated support |
Key pricing details for Cline:
- Truly free for individual developers — you only pay for the AI inference you use through your own API keys.
- Teams plan is free through Q1 2026, then transitions to $20/month per user — with the first 10 seats always free.
- Per-seat pricing means costs scale linearly with team size (unlike Roo Code's flat $99).
- Enterprise tier adds SSO, SLA, and dedicated support for larger organizations.
Cost Analysis: Which Is Cheaper?
The answer depends entirely on your team size and usage patterns:
| Scenario | Roo Code Cost | Cline Cost | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo developer (BYOK) | $0 + inference | $0 + inference | Tie |
| Small team (5 devs) | $99/mo | $0 (first 10 free) | Cline |
| Medium team (15 devs) | $99/mo | $100/mo (5 × $20) | ≈ Tie |
| Large team (50 devs) | $99/mo | $800/mo (40 × $20) | Roo Code |
The crossover point is around 15 developers. Below that, Cline's "first 10 free" deal is hard to beat. Above that, Roo Code's flat $99/month for unlimited seats becomes a massive cost advantage. For a 50-person engineering team, that's a difference of $700/month — or $8,400/year.
However, don't forget that Roo Code's cloud agents add $5/hour on top. If your team uses cloud agents heavily (say, 4 hours per day), that's an additional $600/month. Factor that into your calculations.
Community & Ecosystem: The Numbers Tell a Story
| Metric | Roo Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Stars | 22,300+ | 58,200+ |
| Forks | 3,000+ | 5,800+ |
| Contributors | 300+ | 297+ |
| Primary Language | TypeScript (98.7%) | TypeScript |
| Latest Version | v3.50.4 (Feb 21, 2026) | v3.66.0 |
Cline dominates in sheer popularity with nearly 3x the GitHub stars. This matters because a larger community means more bug reports, more feature requests, more community MCP servers, and faster issue resolution. The MCP Marketplace itself is a direct byproduct of Cline's massive community.
However, Roo Code punches above its weight in contributors. With 300+ contributors to Cline's 297+, Roo Code actually has a slightly higher contributor count despite having far fewer stars. This suggests a highly engaged core community that's actively building and improving the tool.
Both projects are evolving rapidly. Roo Code's v3.50.4 was released just two days ago as of this writing, and Cline's version numbers (v3.66.0) show similarly aggressive release cadences. Neither project is standing still.
The fork counts (3,000+ vs. 5,800+) also indicate healthy open-source ecosystems where developers are actively experimenting with and building upon both codebases.
Real-World Use Cases: When to Pick Roo Code vs. Cline
Features and pricing aside, the right tool depends on how you actually work. Here are specific scenarios where each tool shines.
Choose Roo Code When...
You're a team that wants structured AI workflows. Roo Code's mode system isn't just a gimmick — it fundamentally changes how your team interacts with AI. You can standardize workflows: developers start in Architect Mode to plan, switch to Code Mode to implement, and use Debug Mode to troubleshoot. Custom Modes let team leads create specialized agents with specific instructions and guardrails, ensuring consistency across the team.
You want autonomous cloud agents. If your workflow involves repetitive tasks — generating boilerplate, writing tests, updating dependencies, creating documentation — Roo Code's cloud agents can handle these in the background while your team focuses on high-value work. Assign a task from GitHub, and the agent works independently.
You're a large team (15+ developers). At $99/month for unlimited seats with no per-user pricing, Roo Code's Team plan is significantly cheaper than Cline's per-seat model for larger organizations. Shared configuration and policies also make it easier to manage AI usage at scale.
You want deep project management integration. Roo Code's Slack and Linear integrations (on the Team plan) connect your AI coding workflow to your existing project management tools. If your team lives in Linear for issue tracking, this integration is genuinely useful.
Choose Cline When...
You value control over everything. Cline's human-in-the-loop design means nothing happens without your explicit approval. For developers working on production systems, security-sensitive code, or regulated environments, this safety net is invaluable. You review every file change, every terminal command, every action before it executes.
You use JetBrains IDEs. If your team uses IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand, or any other JetBrains IDE, Cline is currently the only choice between these two tools (available on the Teams plan). Roo Code is VS Code only.
You want maximum extensibility via MCP. Cline's MCP Marketplace makes it trivial to extend your AI assistant's capabilities. Instead of waiting for the core team to build integrations, you can tap into community-built MCP servers that connect to databases, APIs, cloud services, and more.
You're privacy-conscious. Cline's client-side architecture keeps your code entirely local when using BYOK. Nothing passes through Cline's servers. For teams handling sensitive data or subject to compliance requirements, this architecture is a significant advantage.
You're a solo developer or small team. Cline's open-source extension is genuinely free, and the Teams plan offers 10 free seats forever. For small teams, the cost is effectively zero beyond API inference.
For a broader perspective on how these tools fit into the AI coding landscape, check out our comparison of Cursor vs Claude Code.
Open Source Showdown: Both Apache 2.0, But What Differs?
Both Roo Code and Cline are released under the Apache 2.0 license, one of the most permissive open-source licenses available. This means you can use, modify, distribute, and even build commercial products on top of either codebase. But the similarities in licensing mask some important differences in how they approach open source.
Shared Heritage
It's worth noting that both tools share a common ancestor. Cline was originally known as "Claude Dev," and Roo Code evolved from a similar lineage. Both are written primarily in TypeScript and built as VS Code extensions. This shared DNA means they solve similar problems but have diverged significantly in their approach.
Where They Differ
Cline is more "community-first." With 58,200+ stars and a thriving MCP Marketplace, Cline has cultivated a larger open-source ecosystem. The marketplace itself is a community-driven initiative that lets anyone contribute MCP servers. This creates a flywheel effect: more users → more MCP servers → more value → more users.
Roo Code is more "product-first." While still open source, Roo Code's differentiation comes from product features — modes, cloud agents, team policies — rather than community-driven extensions. Their cloud infrastructure (Cloud Free, Cloud Team) is a proprietary service built on top of the open-source foundation.
Both approaches are valid. Cline's community model means faster ecosystem growth but potentially less coherent product vision. Roo Code's product model means a more polished, integrated experience but a smaller extension ecosystem. The Apache 2.0 license ensures that regardless of the company's direction, the community can always fork and continue development.
How Serenities AI Complements Both Tools
Whether you choose Roo Code, Cline, or both, Serenities AI fits naturally into your workflow as a complementary platform. Here's how:
MCP Integration: Serenities AI has built-in MCP support, which means it can connect directly to both Roo Code and Cline through the Model Context Protocol. Use Serenities AI as a hub for project management, file storage, and collaboration while your AI coding extension handles the code.
All-in-One Platform: Serenities AI combines vibe coding (Vibe), workflow automation (Flow), database management (Base), and file storage (Drive) into a single platform. Instead of juggling separate tools for your codebase, project management, and data layer, Serenities AI gives you one place to manage everything — while Roo Code or Cline handles the in-editor AI assistance.
Flexible Pricing: With plans starting from Free up to $249/month, Serenities AI scales with your needs. Pair it with either extension's free tier for a powerful, cost-effective development setup.
Think of it this way: Roo Code or Cline is your AI pair programmer in the editor. Serenities AI is the platform that ties everything else together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roo Code a fork of Cline?
Both Roo Code and Cline share a common heritage — Cline was originally known as "Claude Dev." While they evolved from similar origins, they are now fully independent projects with different teams, different features, and different product visions. Both are open source under Apache 2.0.
Can I use Roo Code and Cline at the same time?
Yes — both are VS Code extensions and can be installed simultaneously. However, running both at the same time in the same workspace may cause conflicts. Many developers install both and switch between them depending on the task: Roo Code for structured multi-mode work, Cline for human-in-the-loop control on sensitive changes.
Which is better for beginners?
Cline's human-in-the-loop approach is arguably better for beginners because you can review and learn from every action the AI proposes. Roo Code's mode system can also help beginners by providing more focused responses (Ask Mode for learning, Debug Mode for troubleshooting). Either tool is approachable, but Cline's larger community means more tutorials and community support.
Do I need to pay for API keys separately?
Both tools support BYOK (bring your own key), meaning you can use your own API keys from providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google. In this case, you pay the AI provider directly for inference usage. Both also offer managed options — Roo Code through its Router/credits system, and Cline through its provider integrations.
Which tool gets updates more frequently?
Both tools ship updates very frequently. Roo Code released v3.50.4 on February 21, 2026, and Cline is on v3.66.0 — both indicating rapid iteration cycles. Check each project's GitHub release page for the most current version.
Final Verdict: Roo Code vs Cline in 2026
There's no single "winner" here — both Roo Code and Cline are excellent, actively maintained, open-source AI coding extensions that represent the cutting edge of AI-assisted development in 2026.
Pick Roo Code if you want structured modes, cloud agents for autonomous work, flat team pricing at scale, and deep project management integrations. It's the better choice for teams of 15+ developers who want a polished, opinionated product experience.
Pick Cline if you want human-in-the-loop safety, JetBrains support, a thriving MCP marketplace, and a massive community. It's the better choice for individual developers, privacy-conscious teams, and organizations that value control over convenience.
Or use both — they're free to install, and many developers keep both in their toolkit for different situations.
Whichever you choose, pair it with Serenities AI for a complete development platform that handles everything outside your editor — from project management to databases to file storage. Start with the free tier and see how it fits your workflow.
Ready to level up your AI coding setup? Try Serenities AI for free and connect it with Roo Code or Cline today.