Aider Overview
Aider is a standalone tool developed by Aider, designed to operate on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. It supports a variety of language models including GPT-4o, GPT-5, Claude 4.5, and DeepSeek. With a context window of 200k tokens, Aider offers robust capabilities for handling extensive data inputs. Although it does not support local inference, it excels in agentic editing with multi-file support, offering full terminal access. Aider promotes a seamless migration process and adheres to a standard privacy policy, backed by SOC2 Type II certification for enterprise-level security. It is available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users. The configuration is managed through the .aiderrc file, ensuring easy setup and customization.
Pros
- ✓ Supports multiple LLMs including GPT-5.
- ✓ Full terminal access.
- ✓ Seamless migration process.
- ✓ Free tier available.
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification.
Cons
- ✕ No local inference capability.
- ✕ No custom model support.
- ✕ Predictive edits are not available.
Cline Overview
Cline, an open-source tool, offers a standalone architecture compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developed by Cline, it supports leading language models like GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, and Ollama. With the same 200k tokens context window as Aider, Cline stands out by allowing local inference, which can be a significant advantage for users requiring on-premise processing. Like Aider, it provides agentic editing with multi-file capabilities and full terminal access. Cline’s configuration is straightforward through the .clinerc file, and it offers a seamless migration process. It is free to use and upholds a standard privacy policy with SOC2 Type II certification, ensuring data security and privacy.
Pros
- ✓ Local inference capability.
- ✓ Supports multiple LLMs including Gemini 3.0.
- ✓ Open-source development.
- ✓ Full terminal access.
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification.
Cons
- ✕ No predictive edits.
- ✕ No custom model support.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Aider | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Aider | Cline (open-source) |
| Supported Llms | GPT-4o, GPT-5, Claude 4.5, DeepSeek | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Ollama |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free | Free |
| Config File | .aiderrc | .clinerc |
| Migration | Seamless | Seamless |
Conclusion
Both Aider and Cline offer robust features for handling large data sets with multi-file editing capabilities and full terminal access. While Aider excels in its support for a broad range of language models, Cline stands out with its local inference capability, making it suitable for users who require on-premise processing. Both tools are free and provide seamless migration processes, ensuring a smooth transition for users. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on specific user needs, particularly regarding local processing requirements.