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Roo Code vs Cline
Compare two open-source VS Code coding agents for tool approvals, provider flexibility, mode-based workflows, terminal actions, and MCP-ready permissions.
| Category | Roo Code | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | VS Code users who want an open-source agent with mode-based workflows and explicit control over model providers and tool actions. | Developers who want an open-source agentic coding workflow inside VS Code with explicit approval over tool actions. |
| Pricing | Open source; model/API costs depend on provider | Open source; model/API costs depend on provider |
| Rating | ★ 4.3/5 | ★ 4.4/5 |
| Workflow fit | VS Code agent work, Mode-based implementation, Local debugging, Open-source coding workflows | VS Code agent work, Tool-assisted debugging, Local repo edits, Model experimentation |
| IDE support | VS Code extension | VS Code extension |
| Agent mode | Agentic tool use with configurable modes for code, architecting, debugging, and review | Agentic tool use with file edits, terminal commands, and browser actions |
| Privacy | Client is open source, but data handling depends on the selected provider and local permissions | Open-source client, but data handling depends on selected model provider |
| MCP angle | Roo Code is most useful when MCP-style rules define which files, commands, browser actions, and external systems the VS Code agent can touch. | Cline users should think in MCP terms: least-privilege tools, explicit approvals, repo context, browser checks, and reproducible verification. |
Verdict
Choose Roo Code when mode-based VS Code workflows and provider flexibility matter. Choose Cline when you want a widely recognized open-source VS Code agent with explicit tool approval and browser or terminal actions.