# Cline vs GitHub Copilot

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Cline

| Attribute | Cline | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 66.4 (56% (medium)) | 56.4 (72% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 811 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 70,278 | - |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"Cline is a coding agent that integrates into your development environment—editors and CLI—to automate file reading and writing, execute terminal commands, and browse the web while maintaining human approval over every action. It supports both interactive conversation-based development and headless automation for CI/CD workflows. It is indexed under AI Coding Assistants.","source":"https://docs.cline.bot/","question":"What is Cline?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Cline is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the Apache-2.0 licence. A commercial or hosted edition starts at $9.99 per month. Prices are published openly on the vendor's own pricing page. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://docs.cline.bot/","question":"Is Cline free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Cline supports the web and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://docs.cline.bot/","question":"What platforms does Cline support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Not fully, on what we have confirmed. Cline is offered as cloud / SaaS and hybrid, and a hybrid deployment usually means some components can run on your own infrastructure while the rest stays vendor-hosted. We have not confirmed a completely self-hosted option, so check with the vendor if that is a requirement.","source":"https://docs.cline.bot/","question":"Can Cline be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 11 integrations for Cline, including Telegram, Slack, Discord, Google Chat, WhatsApp, Linear, GitHub Actions and OpenTelemetry, plus 3 more. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://docs.cline.bot/","question":"What does Cline integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Cline is published under the Apache-2.0 licence, a permissive licence that generally allows commercial use and modification. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/cline/cline","question":"Is Cline open source?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Cline is available worldwide. Its primary market is the United States.","source":"https://docs.cline.bot/","question":"Where is Cline available?","confidence":0.5}]` | `[{"answer":"AI-powered development companion providing inline code suggestions, chat-based assistance in IDEs, code review capabilities, and agent-driven automation. Works across multiple editors and platforms including VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, and GitHub.com. It is indexed under AI Coding Assistants.","source":"https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_cta=See+pricing+and+plans&ref_loc=hero&ref_page=%2Ffeatures_copilot_copilot_ai_code_editor&cft=copilot_li.features_copilot&locale=en-US","question":"What is GitHub Copilot?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"GitHub Copilot offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_cta=See+pricing+and+plans&ref_loc=hero&ref_page=%2Ffeatures_copilot_copilot_ai_code_editor&cft=copilot_li.features_copilot&locale=en-US","question":"Is GitHub Copilot free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"GitHub Copilot supports the web, iOS, Android and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_cta=See+pricing+and+plans&ref_loc=hero&ref_page=%2Ffeatures_copilot_copilot_ai_code_editor&cft=copilot_li.features_copilot&locale=en-US","question":"What platforms does GitHub Copilot support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have only confirmed a cloud / SaaS deployment for GitHub Copilot, so it appears to be vendor-hosted. If a self-hosted option exists we have not found it documented publicly.","source":"https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_cta=See+pricing+and+plans&ref_loc=hero&ref_page=%2Ffeatures_copilot_copilot_ai_code_editor&cft=copilot_li.features_copilot&locale=en-US","question":"Can GitHub Copilot be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 26 integrations for GitHub Copilot, including Render, Linear Code, CodeRabbit, Codemagic CI/CD, Zenhub, Codacy, Codecov and Qlty Cloud, plus 18 more. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://github.com/pricing","question":"What does GitHub Copilot integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed SOC 2, ISO 27001 and GDPR for GitHub Copilot. Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as GitHub Copilot not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://github.com/security/advanced-security","question":"What security certifications does GitHub Copilot have?","confidence":0.7}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | A conversational coding agent that integrates into development environments and terminals to automate code generation, file management, and command execution, with all actions requiring explicit user approval | An AI-powered coding assistant that offers inline code completions, chat assistance in development environments, and code explanations. It helps developers throughout the software development lifecycle with intelligent suggestions and context-aware assistance across multiple platforms. |
| features.capabilities | `{"form":"chat_edit","autonomy":"agentic","languages":"All languages supported by underlying LLM models","oss_client":"oss","model_source":"model_agnostic","pricing_model":"usage_credits","runs_commands":true,"self_hostable":true,"editor_support":"VS Code, JetBrains (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand), Cursor, Windsurf, Anti","codebase_context":"repo_wide","multi_file_edits":true,"architecture_model":"vs_code_extension_cline","enterprise_controls":true,"bring_your_own_key_byok_api_support":true,"browser_automation_support_for_visual_qa":true,"local_llm_support_via_ollama_or_lmstudio":true,"multi_file_diff_generation_and_automated_apply":true,"terminal_bash_execution_and_self_correction_loops":true}` | `{"form":"autonomous_agent","autonomy":"autonomous","languages":"Multiple languages (including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C++, Go, Rub","oss_client":"closed","model_source":"model_agnostic","soc2_type_ii":true,"pricing_model":"per_seat","runs_commands":true,"self_hostable":false,"editor_support":"VS Code, IDEs, CLI, GitHub, chat apps, custom MCP servers","codebase_context":"repo_wide","multi_file_edits":true,"architecture_model":"vs_code_extension_cline","enterprise_controls":true,"zero_data_retention":false,"rag_on_external_documentation_urls":true,"bring_your_own_key_byok_api_support":false,"mit_or_apache_permissive_oss_license":false,"mcp_model_context_protocol_integration":true,"browser_automation_support_for_visual_qa":false,"local_llm_support_via_ollama_or_lmstudio":false,"multi_file_diff_generation_and_automated_apply":true,"privacy_mode_zero_data_retention_for_enterprise":false,"workspace_indexing_and_semantic_codebase_search":true,"terminal_bash_execution_and_self_correction_loops":false}` |
| integrations.count | 10 | 25 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Telegram"},{"name":"Slack"},{"name":"Discord"},{"name":"Google Chat"},{"name":"WhatsApp"},{"name":"Linear"},{"name":"GitHub Actions"},{"name":"OpenTelemetry"},{"name":"Datadog"},{"name":"Grafana"},{"name":"Splunk"}]` | `[{"name":"Render"},{"name":"Linear Code"},{"name":"CodeRabbit"},{"name":"Codemagic CI/CD"},{"name":"Zenhub"},{"name":"Codacy"},{"name":"Codecov"},{"name":"Qlty Cloud"},{"name":"CircleCI"},{"name":"Azure Pipelines"},{"name":"Imgbot"},{"name":"CodeFactor"},{"name":"Rewind Backups"},{"name":"Percy"},{"name":"Argos Visual Testing"},{"name":"AccessLint"},{"name":"Rollbar"},{"name":"Testspace.com"},{"name":"Zube"},{"name":"Codetree"},{"name":"POEditor"},{"name":"Linear"},{"name":"Rewind Backups for GitHub"},{"name":"PR Scheduler"},{"name":"abaplint"},{"name":"Metabob"},{"name":"LovableBot"},{"name":"OpenCode"},{"name":"Bing","native":false,"category":"search","direction":"inbound"}]` |
| language.primary | TypeScript | - |
| license.spdx | Apache-2.0 | - |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"cli":true,"ios":true,"mac":true,"web":true,"linux":true,"android":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Cline (usage-billing)","summary":"$9.99/month","features":["2-5x usage on popular open models vs. standard API rate","built-in billing","one sign-in","free model options"],"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":9.99,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Flat monthly subscription with usage credits for open-weight models","contactSales":false}],"summary":"$9.99/month with free model options. Bring Your Own Key alternative available.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://docs.cline.bot/","retrievedAt":"2026-10-13T22:35:30.368Z","startingPrice":{"amount":9.99,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month"]}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Free","summary":"$0/month","features":["CLI support","Agent mode"],"minSeats":1,"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":0,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Limited functionality for individual developers","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Pro","features":["Bing and public repository code search"],"minSeats":1,"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Business","features":["Organizational license management","Policy management","Bing and public repository code search"],"description":"For teams and organizations","contactSales":true},{"free":false,"name":"Enterprise","features":["Native GitHub.com integration","Organizational context access","Advanced policy management"],"description":"For enterprises with advanced needs","contactSales":true}],"summary":"Free tier with limited features; paid plans starting with Pro","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://github.com/features/copilot/plans","retrievedAt":"2026-10-02T16:17:37.330Z","billingPeriods":["month"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | freemium | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | low | low |
| pricing.starting_price | `{"amount":9.99,"currency":"USD"}` | - |
| pricing.transparent | yes | no |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/v4.1.24","date":"2026-10-13T15:02:27Z","type":"stable","version":"v4.1.24"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/sdk/sdk/v0.0.93","date":"2026-10-13T08:26:52Z","type":"stable","version":"sdk/sdk/v0.0.93"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/desktop-v0.0.46","date":"2026-10-13T15:03:59Z","type":"stable","version":"desktop-v0.0.46"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/cli-v3.0.71","date":"2026-10-13T08:56:25Z","type":"stable","version":"cli-v3.0.71"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/sdk/sdk/v0.0.92","date":"2026-10-08T05:09:49Z","type":"stable","version":"sdk/sdk/v0.0.92"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/desktop-v0.0.45","date":"2026-10-08T06:50:30Z","type":"stable","version":"desktop-v0.0.45"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/cli-v3.0.70","date":"2026-10-08T05:55:09Z","type":"stable","version":"cli-v3.0.70"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/v4.1.23","date":"2026-10-07T07:28:08Z","type":"stable","version":"v4.1.23"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/sdk/sdk/v0.0.91","date":"2026-10-07T06:00:09Z","type":"stable","version":"sdk/sdk/v0.0.91"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/desktop-v0.0.44","date":"2026-10-07T07:17:16Z","type":"stable","version":"desktop-v0.0.44"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/cli-v3.0.69","date":"2026-10-07T06:12:01Z","type":"stable","version":"cli-v3.0.69"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/sdk/sdk/v0.0.90","date":"2026-10-02T04:35:33Z","type":"stable","version":"sdk/sdk/v0.0.90"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/desktop-v0.0.43","date":"2026-10-02T20:39:04Z","type":"stable","version":"desktop-v0.0.43"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/desktop-v0.0.42","date":"2026-10-02T10:04:03Z","type":"stable","version":"desktop-v0.0.42"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/desktop-v0.0.41","date":"2026-10-02T05:29:23Z","type":"stable","version":"desktop-v0.0.41"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/cli-v3.0.68","date":"2026-10-02T04:42:19Z","type":"stable","version":"cli-v3.0.68"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/v4.1.22","date":"2026-09-30T04:10:12Z","type":"stable","version":"v4.1.22"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/sdk/sdk/v0.0.89","date":"2026-09-30T23:34:22Z","type":"stable","version":"sdk/sdk/v0.0.89"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/sdk/sdk/v0.0.88","date":"2026-09-30T02:32:48Z","type":"stable","version":"sdk/sdk/v0.0.88"},{"url":"https://github.com/cline/cline/releases/tag/desktop-v0.0.40","date":"2026-09-30T23:56:13Z","type":"stable","version":"desktop-v0.0.40"}]` | - |
| reliability.status_page | - | yes |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | yes |
| security.gdpr | - | yes |
| security.iso27001 | - | yes |
| security.soc2 | - | yes |
| security.trust_center | - | https://github.com/security/advanced-security |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":3,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=npm&package_name=cline&per_page=100","last_12m":3,"max_severity":"CRITICAL"}` | - |

## Capabilities (AI Coding Assistants)

| Capability | Cline | GitHub Copilot |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Form | Chat / edit | Autonomous agent |
| Autonomy level | Agentic | Autonomous |
| **Surface** |  |  |
| Editor / surface support | VS Code, JetBrains (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand), Cursor, Windsurf, Anti | VS Code, IDEs, CLI, GitHub, chat apps, custom MCP servers |
| **AI** |  |  |
| Model source | Model-agnostic (BYO key) | Model-agnostic (BYO key) |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Self-hostable / air-gapped | ✓ | ✗ |
| **Context** |  |  |
| Codebase context | Repo-wide indexing | Repo-wide indexing |
| **Editing** |  |  |
| Multi-file edits | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Agentic** |  |  |
| Runs commands / tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Data** |  |  |
| Zero-data-retention option | - | ✗ |
| **Security** |  |  |
| Enterprise controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Ecosystem** |  |  |
| Language coverage | All languages supported by underlying LLM models | Multiple languages (including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C++, Go, Rub |
| **Commercial** |  |  |
| Pricing model | Usage credits | Per-seat |
| **Licensing** |  |  |
| Open-source client | OSS | Closed |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T18:30:53.160Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*