What each tool does
GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI assistant for developers. It offers code suggestions as you type, answers questions about your project and has an agent mode for completing tasks. It also comes as a Copilot app and a command-line tool, and has a free tier.
Cline is an open-source coding agent runtime. It works in VS Code and other editors, in the terminal through a CLI, as a desktop app for macOS and Windows, or inside your own products through an SDK. Plan and Act modes let you review an approach before changes are made, it supports MCP integration, and it lets you choose which models it uses.
Key differences
- Openness: Cline is open source; Copilot is a GitHub product.
- Model choice: Cline lets you pick the models it runs on; Copilot is managed by GitHub.
- Workflow: Cline's Plan and Act modes separate planning from execution; Copilot combines inline suggestions with an agent mode.
- Extensibility: Cline offers MCP integration and an embeddable SDK; Copilot fits tightly into the GitHub ecosystem.
- Pricing: both are freemium, though with Cline your costs can also depend on the models you connect.
Which should you choose?
Choose GitHub Copilot if you want a ready-made assistant that works with little setup and connects naturally to GitHub.
Choose Cline if you like open tools, want control over which models you use, or plan to embed an agent in your own product.
Paid usage is usually billed in USD by card; check the pricing page for current plans.
Can you use both?
Yes, both can sit in the same editor. Some developers keep Copilot for quick suggestions and use Cline for larger planned tasks, though you should watch for overlapping costs.
