Cline Overview
Cline is a versatile, open-source tool designed to operate across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is particularly favored for its standalone architecture, allowing users to perform local inference with ease. Developed by Cline, this tool supports a variety of large language models such as GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, and Ollama. With a substantial context window of 200k tokens, Cline ensures efficient handling of extensive data inputs. One of its standout features is the capability for agentic editing on a multi-file scale, complemented by full terminal access. While lacking predictive edits, Cline maintains a standard privacy policy and is certified with SOC2 Type II for enterprise use. The tool is accessible at no cost, with seamless migration facilitated via a simple .clinerc configuration file.
Pros
- ✓ Open-source and free.
- ✓ Supports local inference.
- ✓ Wide support for LLMs including GPT-5.
- ✓ Seamless migration process.
Cons
- ✕ No predictive edits available.
- ✕ Standard privacy policy, not zero data retention.
Windsurf (Cascade Agent) Overview
Windsurf, operating under a cloud-based architecture, is developed to cater to users across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. This tool is powered by proprietary models such as SWE-1.5, in addition to supporting GPT-5. It offers a significant context window of 200k tokens, similar to Cline, but distinguishes itself with predictive editing capabilities. Windsurf also provides agentic editing on a multi-file level and full terminal access, ensuring comprehensive functionality. Notably, it emphasizes data privacy with a Zero Data Retention policy. The tool is free to start, with premium plans starting at $60 per user per month, and requires a dedicated setup process for migration, managed through the .windsurfrc configuration file.
Pros
- ✓ Cloud-based architecture with predictive edits.
- ✓ Zero Data Retention (ZDR) privacy policy.
- ✓ Supports proprietary and popular LLMs.
Cons
- ✕ Migration requires setup.
- ✕ Premium pricing after the free tier.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Cline | Windsurf (Cascade Agent) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | cloud |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Cline (open-source) | Windsurf |
| Supported Llms | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, Ollama | SWE-1.5, SWE-1, GPT-5 |
| Custom Model | – | SWE-1.5 |
| Context Window | 200k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free | Free – $60+/user/mo |
| Config File | .clinerc | .windsurfrc |
| Migration | Seamless | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both Cline and Windsurf offer robust solutions for users seeking powerful language model support across various platforms. Cline excels with its open-source, standalone architecture and seamless migration, while Windsurf provides cloud-based flexibility with advanced privacy measures and predictive editing. Users can choose based on their specific needs for local inference and privacy requirements.