Developers want an open-source VS Code agent with BYOK pricing and explicit approval of each action. This guide maps your config files, walks a 4-step migration checklist and prices the seat delta for a 10-dev team.
01Migration brief
Developers want an open-source VS Code agent with BYOK pricing and explicit approval of each action. Shifts from a fixed $8/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens.
Cursor
Anysphere $8 per month · FreemiumCursor is an AI-native code editor that functions as a coding agent capable of autonomously planning, building, and testing software features. It supports multi-agent collaboration, codebase indexing, and provides a unified workspace for managing complex development tasks.
Cline
Cline Free free to use · FreemiumCline is an open-source, agentic coding assistant that integrates into editors, terminal, and desktop environments to read files, run terminal commands, and perform complex coding tasks. It operates with a human-in-the-loop, requiring explicit approval for file edits and terminal commands to ensure user control.
02Rules & cost
Convert Cursor rules to the Cline format, then review the output before committing.
Shifts from a fixed $8/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens.
034-step checklist
- 01
Audit & export your Cursor rulesCursor reads repo-level rules from .cursor/rules/*.mdc. Convert them to .clinerules with the Rules Converter, then review the output before committing. Open →
- 02
Install & configure ClineDownload Cline from the official site. Pricing: Freemium. Open ↗
- 03
Adapt your daily workflow (AI IDEs → IDE Plugins)You trade a managed subscription for a bring-your-own-key setup — configure provider credentials and watch token spend instead of seat count. Cline is best for developers needing a true coding agent that can handle complex, multi-file refactoring, execute terminal commands, and follow project-specific coding rules defined in.clinerules.
- 04
Run a one-week parallel pilot, then reallocate seatsShifts from a fixed $8/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens. Keep Cursor active for one sprint while Cline handles new tasks; cancel seats only after velocity holds. Open →
04Trade-offs
What you gain
- Cline is best for developers needing a true coding agent that can handle complex, multi-file refactoring, execute terminal commands, and follow project-specific coding rules defined in.clinerules.
- Plan and Act modes for strategy alignment and autonomous execution.
- Multi-file codebase awareness and refactoring.
- Support for wide-ranging AI providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and local models.
What you give up
- Cursor is positioned for developers looking for a deep-integrated AI coding experience that can manage long-running tasks, codebase context, and autonomous feature building. — confirm Cline covers that before cancelling seats.
- Cline is not ideal for users seeking simple code autocompletion tools, as Cline is designed as an agentic partner for complex tasks rather than a lightweight syntax-suggestion engine.
Running both together: Many teams run both: keep Cursor for ai ides work and use Cline for ide plugins tasks during the transition.
05Spec sheet
| Cursor | Cline | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Anysphere | Cline |
| Category | AI-Native IDEs & Editors | IDE Extensions & Plugins |
| Pricing | Freemium Free tier available. Paid plans (The X Subscription) start at $8/month (Plus), with Premium ($30/mo), Super ($100/mo), and Ultra ($200/mo) tiers. Teams plans are available at $30+ per seat/month. | Freemium The open-source extension is free for individual developers, with usage-based billing for AI inference. Users can bring their own API keys or use Cline's built-in billing. ClinePass is available as a flat $9.99/month subscription for higher usage rates on open-coding models, and an Enterprise tier exists for organizations needing SSO, audit logs, and team management. |
| Entry paid plan | Plus ($8/mo) | — |
| Rules file | .cursor/rules/*.mdc | .clinerules |
| Key features |
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06FAQ
How do I convert my Cursor rules to Cline?+
Cursor reads .cursor/rules/*.mdc and Cline reads .clinerules. Run them through the Rules Converter (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=cursor-mdc&to=clinerules) and review the output before committing.
Is Cline cheaper than Cursor?+
Cursor starts at Plus ($8/mo); Cline has no listed per-seat plan. Shifts from a fixed $8/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens.
What do I lose when switching from Cursor to Cline?+
Cursor is positioned for developers looking for a deep-integrated AI coding experience that can manage long-running tasks, codebase context, and autonomous feature building. — confirm Cline covers that before cancelling seats. Cline is not ideal for users seeking simple code autocompletion tools, as Cline is designed as an agentic partner for complex tasks rather than a lightweight syntax-suggestion engine.
Can I use Cursor and Cline together?+
Many teams run both: keep Cursor for ai ides work and use Cline for ide plugins tasks during the transition.