Cline Overview
Cline is an open-source standalone tool designed to operate across major operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports a variety of large language models, including GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, and Ollama. With a generous context window of 200k tokens, Cline allows for comprehensive multi-file agentic editing and full terminal access. It supports local inference, which ensures that users can work efficiently without always needing an internet connection. The tool adheres to a standard privacy policy and is certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise-level security. It is available for free, with seamless migration options and configurations managed via a .clinerc file. Cline is ideal for developers and users who prefer a robust, independent solution for advanced language model interactions.
Pros
- ✓ Open-source and free.
- ✓ Supports multiple major LLMs.
- ✓ Full terminal access and local inference.
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification.
Cons
- ✕ No custom model support.
- ✕ Standard privacy policy may not suffice for all users.
RooCode Overview
RooCode is a versatile plugin tool compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it highly adaptable for various development environments. It extends its capabilities to several large language models, including GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Bedrock-Titan, and Ollama-local, with a unique offering in ‘The Coder’ custom model. RooCode boasts a 200k token context window, enabling detailed multi-file agentic editing and complete terminal access. Like Cline, it supports local inference, ensuring efficient operations even offline. It follows a standard privacy policy and holds SOC2 Type II certification, appealing to enterprise users. RooCode is available in both free and pro versions, offering flexibility for different user needs, with the configuration handled via a .roorc file.
Pros
- ✓ Supports a unique custom model 'The Coder'.
- ✓ Free and Pro versions available.
- ✓ Extensive LLM compatibility.
- ✓ Comprehensive terminal access.
Cons
- ✕ Plugin architecture may require additional setup.
- ✕ Privacy policy similar to standard offerings.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Cline | RooCode |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | plugin |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Cline (open-source) | Roo |
| Supported Llms | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Ollama | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Bedrock-Titan, Ollama-local |
| Custom Model | – | The Coder |
| 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/Pro |
| Config File | .clinerc | .roorc |
| Migration | Seamless | Seamless |
Conclusion
Both Cline and RooCode offer powerful tools for language model interaction, each with its strengths. Cline provides a solid open-source option with robust features at no cost, while RooCode offers flexibility with its plugin-based architecture and custom model capabilities. The choice between them depends on user preference for customization and deployment style.