Cline Overview
Cline is a versatile and open-source tool designed to function as a standalone application, offering compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developed by the Cline open-source community, this tool supports advanced language models such as GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, and Ollama. Cline provides a generous context window of 200k tokens, enabling extensive data input and processing. It supports local inference and offers full terminal access, making it highly suitable for power users who require comprehensive control over their workflows. Additionally, Cline features agentic editing with multi-file capabilities, allowing users to manage complex projects efficiently. The tool adheres to a standard privacy policy and is certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise-level security. Users can enjoy a free tier, making it accessible to a wide audience without any cost barriers.
Pros
- ✓ Open-source and free to use
- ✓ Supports multiple operating systems
- ✓ Local inference with full terminal access
- ✓ Extensive context window of 200k tokens
- ✓ Agentic editing with multi-file support
Cons
- ✕ Limited to the models it supports
- ✕ May require technical expertise for setup
Manus Overview
Manus is a cloud-based tool developed by Manus AI, primarily supporting the Linux operating system. It integrates seamlessly with a range of language models including Claude 3.7, Claude 3.5, Qwen, GPT-4, and Gemini. Although it does not support local inference, Manus ensures full terminal access and provides agentic editing with multi-file capabilities, making it a robust choice for collaborative environments. The tool’s design caters to enterprise needs with SOC2 Type II certification, ensuring compliance with rigorous security standards. Unlike Cline, Manus does not offer a free tier, and pricing details are available upon contacting sales, indicating a focus on commercial and enterprise users. Migration to this tool requires some setup, which may involve additional resources for integration.
Pros
- ✓ Cloud-based, suitable for enterprise environments
- ✓ Supports a diverse range of language models
- ✓ Full terminal access with agentic editing
Cons
- ✕ No free tier; pricing requires contacting sales
- ✕ Limited to Linux operating systems
- ✕ Requires setup for migration
Comparison Table
| Feature | Cline | Manus |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | cloud |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Linux |
| Developer | Cline (open-source) | Manus AI |
| Supported Llms | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Ollama | Claude 3.7, Claude 3.5, Qwen, GPT-4, Gemini |
| 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 | Contact Sales |
| Config File | .clinerc | .manusrc |
| Migration | Seamless | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both Cline and Manus offer robust capabilities for users seeking advanced language model tools. Cline stands out with its open-source nature and free access, making it ideal for individual developers and small teams. In contrast, Manus provides a cloud-based solution tailored for enterprises, though it comes at a cost. Choosing between them depends on the user’s specific needs for either open-access and local control or enterprise-level cloud services.