How are AI tools compared on AIHub?

Every matchup compares the same dimensions — pricing model, core features, integrations, and best-fit use cases — so two tools are judged on like-for-like criteria rather than on whichever features each vendor chooses to advertise.

Which AI tool comparison should I start with?

Start from the category that matches your task — language models, code assistance, image or video generation, voice, or search — then open the head-to-head for the two tools you are actually deciding between.

Which use cases suit Cline vs Windsurf (formerly Codeium)?

Cline is designed for: Developers wanting open-source agents, Teams avoiding vendor lock-in, Privacy-conscious devs using local models. Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is designed for: Code Assistance. We recommend evaluating both tools against your own requirements.

What are the pricing options for Cline and Windsurf (formerly Codeium)?

Cline uses a Freemium pricing model. Windsurf (formerly Codeium) uses a Freemium pricing model. Check each vendor's official website for current pricing details.

Side-by-Side Comparison · 2026

Cline vs Windsurf (formerly Codeium): Full Comparison (2026)

Cline is open-source autonomous coding agent living in your vs code editor. Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is ai-first ide, now devin desktop (renamed from windsurf on 2 june 2026). Use the breakdown below to find the right fit for your needs.

Cline

Freemium

Windsurf (formerly Codeium)

Windsurf (Cognition AI)

Freemium

This page presents factual information sourced from publicly available vendor documentation and product pages. AIHub does not endorse either product. The right tool depends on your specific use case, team, and requirements — we recommend evaluating both tools directly before making a decision.

Side-by-Side Overview

Pricing Model: Cline: FreemiumWindsurf (formerly Codeium): Freemium
API Access: Cline: Not availableWindsurf (formerly Codeium): Not available
Platforms: Cline: VS Code Extension, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code forksWindsurf (formerly Codeium): Web
Integrations: Cline: 7 integrationsWindsurf (formerly Codeium): —
Vendor: Cline: ClineWindsurf (formerly Codeium): Windsurf (Cognition AI)
Category: Cline: Code AssistanceWindsurf (formerly Codeium): Code Assistance
Launch: Cline: Jul 2024 (as Claude Dev); renamed Cline 2024Windsurf (formerly Codeium): —

Feature	Cline	Windsurf (formerly Codeium)
Pricing Model	Freemium	Freemium
API Access	Not available	Not available
Platforms	VS Code Extension, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code forks	Web
Integrations	7 integrations	—
Vendor	Cline	Windsurf (Cognition AI)
Category	Code Assistance	Code Assistance
Launch	Jul 2024 (as Claude Dev); renamed Cline 2024	—

About Cline

Cline (formerly Claude Dev) is an open-source AI coding agent that runs as a VS Code extension. It can read and edit files, execute terminal commands, use the browser, and complete multi-step engineering tasks autonomously with human-in-the-loop approval for every action. It supports any model via API (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, OpenRouter, Ollama) and pioneered the 'Plan/Act' agent workflow now widely copied.

Designed For

Autonomous feature development
Multi-file refactoring
Terminal command automation
Bug fixing

Full Cline details

About Windsurf (formerly Codeium)

Codeium rebranded to Windsurf in late 2024, launching an AI-first IDE (fork of VS Code) with Cascade - an agentic engine that can autonomously plan and execute multi-step coding tasks. Cognition AI (makers of Devin) acquired Windsurf in July 2025, after OpenAI's reported $3B bid lapsed and Google licensed the technology and hired its leadership; Cognition's terms were not publicly disclosed. On 2 June 2026 Cognition renamed Windsurf to Devin Desktop, keeping pricing and the editor the same.

Designed For

Code completion
Agentic coding
Refactoring
Multi-file edits

Full Windsurf (formerly Codeium) details

Strengths & Limitations

Cline

Strengths

Fully open-source (Apache 2.0)
Bring your own API key / model
Approve every file edit and command
MCP server support
Works with local models via Ollama

Limitations

API token costs can add up
Requires VS Code
Less polished than Cursor UI
Model quality depends on chosen provider

Windsurf (formerly Codeium)

Strengths

Cascade agentic engine
Free tier available
70+ languages
VS Code compatible

Limitations

New product, less mature than Cursor
Cognition acquisition uncertainty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Cline and Windsurf (formerly Codeium)?

Cline is open-source autonomous coding agent living in your vs code editor, while Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is ai-first ide, now devin desktop (renamed from windsurf on 2 june 2026). Cline is designed for Developers wanting open-source agents, Teams avoiding vendor lock-in; Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is designed for Code Assistance. The right fit depends on your specific requirements.

How do the pricing models compare?

Cline is available under a Freemium model. Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is available under a Freemium model. Cline's entry tier starts at $0. Always verify pricing on each vendor's official website as it may change.

What integrations does each tool support?

Cline integrates with Anthropic API, OpenAI API, Google Gemini, OpenRouter. Windsurf (formerly Codeium) integrates with various tools. Check each vendor's documentation for the full and current list.

How do I choose between Cline and Windsurf (formerly Codeium)?

Consider your team's technical requirements, budget, existing tooling, and use case before deciding. We recommend signing up for free trials or demos of both tools where available, and consulting each vendor's documentation. AIHub provides this comparison for informational purposes only.

Explore

Learn

Governance

More